spiritual identity personal narratives for faith and spiritual？living精神身份的个人叙述信仰和精神.pdfVIP

Religions 2012, 3, 251–265; doi:10.3390/rel3020251 OPEN ACCESS religions ISSN 2077-1444 /journal/religions Article Spiritual Identity: Personal Narratives for Faith and Spiritual Living Kevin S. Reimer 1,* and Alvin C. Dueck 2 1 School of Humanities, Religion Social Sciences, MCD 210, Fresno Pacific University, 1717 South Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, CA 93702, USA 2 Department of Clinical Psychology and Marriage and Family, School of Psychology, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, 135 N, Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91182, USA; E-Mail: adueck@ * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: kevin.reimer@; Tel.: +559-453-2075 or +559-453-5558. Received: 21 March 2012; in revised form: 1 April 2012 / Accepted: 6 April 2012 / Published: 13 April 2012 Abstract: In this article we outline a theoretical and methodological framework for spiritual identity as meaning in folk psychology. Identity is associated with psychological elements of personality that help people manage a time-bound existence. This discussion is extended on anthropological grounds, noting that spiritual goals are reinforced when they become symbolically self-important, often through religious ritual. This makes religious tradition and culture of monotheist exemplars centrally important to understanding idiosyncratic folk narratives like spiritual success. Keywords: spiritual identity; personal narratives; traits; goals Introduction: Spiritual Identity and Narrative As the introduction to this specia