Author: editor18

Stephen Russell-Lacy is a retired clinical psychologist. He acts as a tutor at the Swedenborg Open Learning Centre. He is interested in the links between various branches of psychology and spirituality.

Right from wrong – Should we try to tell?

Morality has a bad press. It smacks of being judgemental and a blaming attitude. Discrimination is out and tolerance is in. Anything goes these days as long as it doesn’t cause harm. Many people do not think in terms of morality yet they feel that decisions should be made on the basis of the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Those, who deny there are any personal rights and wrongs, nevertheless, emphasize the ideals of love, holism, and self-improvement. And even criminals usually acknowledge their crime is wrong deserving punishment if they are caught. So the question remains just how does one know what really is right and wrong?

The Trouble With Me!

The trouble with me is I’m always to know; I’m in everything I do and I’m everywhere I go. I’m there when I wake, I’m there when I sleep; I’m there when I laugh and I’m there when I weep. I’m in what I make, I’m in what I see; I’m there when I speak; there is no getting away … Continue reading The Trouble With Me!

Evil – Can anyone be so characterised?

Ratko Mladic was the key player and commander of the Bosnian Serb forces that tried to eliminate Muslims from large parts of Bosnia. His forces massacred eight thousand Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in 1995, and the brutal siege of Sarajevo between 1992 and 1995 resulted in the death of 10,000 people. His capture and trial for war crimes reminds us of the torture, mass rape, arson and genocide that formed part of this ‘ethnic cleansing’. How does one explain these evil crimes against humanity? Are standards of good and evil are only products of local culture, custom, or prejudice and that the very word ‘evil’ is an outmoded concept no longer fit for purpose.

B.Dillon & Momus in Conversation

Brian Dillon & Momus In Conversation | 27 June 2011 | 7.00 pm Swedenborg Hall London A collaborative event with Sternberg Press. Authors Brian Dillon and Momus in conversation, to celebrate the co-launch of Sanctuary (Sternberg Press, May 2011) and The Book of Japans (Sternberg Press, May 2011). Admission costs £5.00. Doors open at 6.30 … Continue reading B.Dillon & Momus in Conversation

Gossip – Is it good for the soul?

Is it good to talk about the private lives of public figures? Like the sexual seductions of Dominique Straus-Khan, managing director of the IMF? This is someone who was heading for high political office. Or the widely reported affair of footballer Ryan Giggs with Big Brother star Imogen Thomas? What is more important — the human right to a private life or the media’s freedom of expression? Can talking about people we know be a good thing?

Jacob’s Ladder

Residential Forum, Purley Chase Spiritual Centre, Warwickshire, From 19:00 Tuesday 05 July 2011 to 14:00 Thursday 07 July 2011 Many people find that Swedenborg’s writings give them a wonderfully rational and understandable account of the Bible and Christian theology.  Yet his writings also describe the great turning points in our spiritual development – the kind … Continue reading Jacob’s Ladder

Sexual culture — how to live in it?

‘Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised’ said policeman PC Michael Sanguinetti in Toronto, whilst advising students about safety on campus. In so saying he unleashed a storm of outrage. The marchers seem to be implying that sexual signals have no meaning in the world of human interaction.

Organised religion – beyond its sell by date?

organised religion

The World Values Survey, which is claimed to be the most reliable survey of beliefs across the globe, suggests that there has been a substantial cultural change. William Bloom writing in The Complete Encyclopedia of Mind Body Spirit reports that in modernised and free societies, where people have access to diverse views, up to seventy per cent of the population has moved away from a single faith tradition. Many seem to be acknowledging a spiritual dimension to life without affiliating with organised religion.

Terrorists – How to respond to them?

Although details of the raid remain sketchy, one can’t help wondering if the US could have tried harder to capture bin Laden alive and put him on trial rather than carrying out a summary execution. We don’t know to what extent if any there was any danger to the attacking forces bursting in on bin Laden of him detonating a hidden explosive device. The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Williams, said: “I think the killing of an unarmed man is always going to leave a very uncomfortable feeling because it doesn’t look as if justice is seen to be done.” Few pundits have resisted the opportunity to ridicule him for this. Were they right to do this or was he right in what he said?