Two Orientations of the Self

Abstract

This article defends the view that the Christian orientation of the self (i.e., soul) is that of a self-in-relationship-with-God, whereas the secular view of the self does not include that divine orientation. These different orientations lead to rival and incompatible value systems. To illustrate the two orientations of the self, this article will examine the secular mental health movement (SMHM), in which the author has been immersed for a quarter of a century. I seek to portray the spirit of the SMHM as a whole, without implying that any given SMHM practitioner suffers from that spirit. The spirit in question is definitely not-God-centered and may even promote the self as an idol. An idol is defined as anything or anybody that a person loves