While getting a doctorate in 1972 a Professor
of Sociology refused to allow me to research the effectiveness of Alcoholics
Anonymous. “We are a public university and we cannot violate the separation of
church and state,” he said.
A.A. is not, of course, a church, but they do allow clients to acknowledge God. Research shows clearly that A.A. is effective in treating addictions. That fact did not convince my agnostic teachers. Their fear of God's people was so great that ending the suffering of alcoholics was enough reason to look at the methods of AA.
Although that teacher was a practicing Buddhist, he was frightened about the idea that there is a Christian spiritual reality in the world. He used a bogus excuse to forbid its study. That is what happens to academic research when fear and prejudice take over.
Read my book on theology and counseling to see how integration can work. The Healing Release of the Holy Spirit.
A.A. is not, of course, a church, but they do allow clients to acknowledge God. Research shows clearly that A.A. is effective in treating addictions. That fact did not convince my agnostic teachers. Their fear of God's people was so great that ending the suffering of alcoholics was enough reason to look at the methods of AA.
Although that teacher was a practicing Buddhist, he was frightened about the idea that there is a Christian spiritual reality in the world. He used a bogus excuse to forbid its study. That is what happens to academic research when fear and prejudice take over.
Read my book on theology and counseling to see how integration can work. The Healing Release of the Holy Spirit.
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