The psychology of religion and spirituality occupies a contested position within the broader discipline. It can elicit skepticism from psychologists, who often regard it as marginal or reductionist, as well as from religious practitioners and scholars who question the adequacy of psychological explanations in the domain of religion. The pedagogical challenges accentuated by its peripheral status within most psychology curricula, combined with the complexities in of teaching in increasingly secularized yet religiously diverse societies. The presentation critically evaluates prevailing strategies for teaching the psychology of religion, contrasting historical–horizontal and phenomenological–vertical program designs exemplified in widely-used textbooks. Building on cultural psychological approaches associated with scholars such as J. Belzen and H. Grzymała-Moszczyńska, I propose an alternative pedagogical model that integrates culturally oriented psychologies with insights from neuropsychology and evolutionary psychology. Attention is given to the development of sociocultural competencies essential for teaching in multicultural societies, including engagement with migration, interreligious dialogue, and the need to move beyond research based on WEIRD populations. I will also analase pedagogical formats such as seminars, workshops, project-based learning, and mentoring, that extend beyond traditional lectures and considers the expanding role of digital technologies in academic instruction. Opportunities and risks associated with the process of education are discussed, highlighting their implications for the future teaching of religion and spirituality within psychology.
Teaching psychology of religion & spirituality