Religion: Common Ground

The late Rabbi Joshua Loth Liebman (Peace of Mind) made diligent efforts to bring pastors and psychiatrists together (see MEDICINE). Published last week was a memorial to his efforts, titled Psychiatry and Religion (Beacon Press; $3)—15 addresses given last year at Boston’s Temple Israel Institute on Religion and Psychiatry. One of the contributors best informed in both fields is Presbyterian Rev. Seward Hiltner, executive secretary of the department of pastoral services of the Federal Council of Churches. Said he:

“If a psychiatrist says conscience is often a doubtful asset, the clergyman ought to know what is meant and commend it, even though he may suggest sharpening up conscience so as not to imply non-concern for ethics. If a clergyman says men must recognize their sinfulness before salvation is possible, the psychiatrist ought to know what this means, even though cautioning against identification of the fact of sin with a sense of guilt.”