Panel Presentation:
• To Kill or to Heal: Psychohistorical Perspectives on Religion in a Violent World
Panelists: Dorothea Leicher, Brian D’Agostino, and Ken Rasmussen
(120 min)
Panelists: Dorothea Leicher & Brian D’Agostino & Kenneth Rasmussen
Abstract:
From a biological perspective, violence predates humans and relates to animal predators killing for food. Humans who are would-be prey in a psychological sense alsobkill in self-defense. Status can replace food as a trigger for violence. Most killing is committed by males against other males. Teaching humane parenting to both sexes can interrupt the intergenerational cycle of toxic masculinity and violence.
In this polarized time, religion in its contradictory variants is both a force for violence and for healing. We in this panel will discuss exemplary people of faith who contributed to healing broken relationships and a broken world. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela embodied the theory and practice of non-violent action as a response to racism and oppression. Chiara Lubich, founder of the Roman Catholic, ecumenical, and inter-religious Focolare Movement, taught the healing power of unconditional love rooted in the experience of God as love. These religiously inspired practitioners of non-violence and healing point to a possible future that will be more humane and peaceful than our own troubled world.
Keywords: biological aggression, faith-based healing, humane parenting, nonviolent action, psychohistory, religion, status competition, toxic masculinity
Panel Presentation 1:
Analysis of Violence and Maintenance of Non-violence
By Dorothea Leicher
Abstract:
Our group has much knowledge of different aspects of violence. This presentation tries to integrate them theoretically and discuss vulnerabilities and opportunities for alternatives. Positions: 1. Violence is unavoidable (eating) 2. Violence is a defense against being eaten/killed 3. Status can replace food as trigger for violence 4. Violence can be gendered and sexualized 5. Education lowers violence and is a paradigm for non-violent cooperation.
Keywords: education, gendered violence, nonviolent cooperation, psychohistory, sexualized violence, status competition, theoretical integration, violence
Short Bio:
Dorothea Leicher, NCPsyA, the panel organizer, is a retired psychoanalyst originally from Germany, with interests in biology, evolution, art, and religion from an object-relations perspective. She is currently focused on finding effective ways to support forces working to protect the living planet. She can be reached at .
Panel Presentation 2:
“That they all may be one…” — John 17:21-23.
By Brian D’Agostino
Abstract:
The Focolare is a Catholic, ecumenical and inter-religious movement that promotes the ideals of unity and universal brother/sisterhood grounded in the Golden Rule. It was founded in 1943 by then elementary school teacher Chiara Lubich in Trent, Northern Italy. The Focolare Movement embodies a theory and practice of unconditional love based on the experience of God as love. In this presentation, I will discuss the relevance of this movement for healing cultural, political, and economic divisions in our polarized world.
Keywords: Focolare Movement, Golden Rule, interreligious dialogue, polarization, psychohistory, social healing, unconditional love, unity
Brian D’Agostino, PhD, is the past President of the International Psychohistorical Association and past editor of the Psychohistory News. He is the author of publications that have appeared in Political Psychology, Political Science Quarterly, and Review of Political Economy, and of the book The Middle-Class Fights Back: How Progressive Movements Can Restore Democracy in America (2012). He may be contacted at .
Panel Presentation 3:
The Power and Virtues of Nonviolence
By Kenneth Rasmussen
In our war-torn and polarized world, religion tends to function as either, in its pathological variants, as exacerbating destructive conflict, or, as a consoling remnant, gently reminding us, like Pope Leo, of the better angels of our Judeo-Christian moral traditions.
With psychohistorical understanding, it’s also clear that religion, historically, has been a powerful force for reconciliation and peaceful social transformation. This presentation will examine the roots of non-violence as a principle and as a practice, focusing on the shining examples of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. For both these individuals, religion was an essential inspiration and guide. And today, we can discern the stirrings of new beginnings for a politics rooted in a psychology and a spirit of non-violence.
Keywords: Judeo-Christian ethics, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, nonviolence, peacebuilding, psychohistory, reconciliation, religion
Kenneth Rasmussen, PsyD, PhD, is an historian and psychoanalytical psychotherapist who teaches at Santa Monica College and has a private practice in Santa Monica. His research interests include the psychohistory of political ideologies, left and right, and the psychological dimension of philosophy and the “philosophy as therapy.” Dr. Rasmussen may be contacted at .