Deadly Doctrine

by Wendell W. Watters

The Christian religion presents itself as the way to contentment, spiritual health, and salvation. But is this really true? Dr. Wendell Watters offers a powerful argument, based on his many years of clinical experience with individuals, couples, and families, that Christianity's influence actually militates against human development in such vital areas as self-esteem, sexuality, and social interactions. The tragic end result of Christian conditioning is too often antisocial behavior, sexual dysfunction, poor psychological development, anxiety, and even major psychiatric illness.

Christian indoctrination is not simply a problem affecting individuals or single families; the noxious effects of its teachings over nearly two millennia pervade society at large, even those who are not Christians, and in ways that seriously undermine human welfare and the quality of life. Christianity's aggressive pronatalist policies have encouraged large families, despite parents' inability to cope either emotionally or financially. With this the Christian church has formulated rigid sexual roles, forbidding all practices not leading directly to conception. By actually promoting sexual ignorance and irresponsibility, Christianity has allowed the proliferation of such social ills as rape, child molestation, and pornography.

In the face of so much human suffering resulting from Christian doctrine, it is imperative that health care professionals, recognizing the Christian belief system as an addictive disease, develop a religious status examination to help evaluate how notions about life derived from Christian god-talk compromise individuals' healthy functioning. In failing to determine the role of oppressive religious beliefs in mental illness, physicians and other health care workers actually promote Christianity's continued stranglehold on human happiness and self-fulfillment.

204 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1992

Reviews

[Trogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting medical perspective on science vs religion. While I agree wholeheartedly with the author's thesis that religion can and does impede medical solutions to health issues, the book reads too much like a sociological essay. However, an important read for students of the science vs religion debate.

[Lia Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Watters makes a strong case that religion can get in the way of medical solutions and the book definitely leans hard into the science vs religion debate The argument is clear but it reads more like a long sociological essay than a balanced discussion
The writing is very one-sided and some sentences go a bit over the top? which kinda pulled me out of it I don’t mind bias in a book like this but here it felt heavy-handed I also didn’t completely finish it the style just wasn’t working for me

[Megan]

very good content, a bit hard to make it through. really appreciated the points on Humanism. would love an abridged/newly edited and printed version.