| Committed religious believers whose faith development changes that of their religious communities may experience rejection, then faith regression followed by faith reconstruction. Fowler's faith development theory is used to identify spiritual changes that may occur as a result of faith reconstruction after religious rejection. Fowler's current model indicates that stages of faith development are invariant, sequential, and irreversible. He does not include faith regression or reconstruction in his theory. Fowler built his theory of faith development on the works of Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and Lawrence Kohlberg, who were all influenced by Freud. These theorist's views of regression were examined to demonstrate their views of psychological regression to form a scholarly basis from which regression could be applied to Fowler's faith development theory.;Religious believers rejected from their religious communities because of faith changes frequently no longer have access to religious supportive networks. As a result, they may turn to therapy as a means of reconstructing their faith. The process of faith regression and reconstruction in therapy is described using an object relations perspective. Thomas Merton, a famous Catholic priest, is used as an example of faith regression and reconstruction. In addition, his life is also conceptualized from an object relations perspective to demonstrate parallels in faith development and object relations development. Also, a clinical vignette is used to demonstrate how an object relations therapist can use Fowler's extended model of faith development to identify: (1) pre-rejection faith, (2) faith regression, and (3) faith growth during reconstruction. In addition, the therapist's activities in creating a safe holding environment, interpreting transference and countertansference, and functioning as a transitional object, can enable the client to re-internalize objects and gain a new identity are discussed. Finally, limitations and implications of this research are considered. Questions are asked about the ability to "measure" faith; the similarities between faith development and psychological development; and object relations therapy as a viable modality for the treatment of people rejected by a religious community. The framework for a research study to verify the effectiveness of object relations therapy rejected clients is also described, focusing on faith regression and reconstruction.;Applications of this study to clinical and non-clinical populations are also discussed, including churches, families, and other groups, with the purpose of finding a faith "fit" between various entities. |
