Out of God's Closet: This Priest Psychologist Chooses Friendly Atheism (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780979316937)

STEPHEN UHL, Ph.D. Doctor Stephen Uhl was a Benedictine monk for 17 years and a Roman Catholic priest for 11 years before becoming a psychologist. He had been destined by his mother to become a priest. After years of sincere and devoted priestly service, deep meditation, extensive consultation and a near-fatal accident, he discovered that he no longer believed the church teachings. So, to be true to himself and to the great chagrin of his large Catholic family, he left the monastery, the church and the priesthood. Dr. Uhl earned his Ph.D. at Loyola University of Chicago. He enjoyed a thriving private practice of psychology. It was during the productive years in his psychologist's office that he more deeply and more practically realized the very destructive effects of guilt. Seeing that so much guilt was based in superstition and faulty religious beliefs, he recently wrote the exciting and insightful little book, Out of God's Closet: This Priest Chooses Friendly Atheism. Dr. Uhl's broad and deep academic background equips him well to deal with the most important building blocks of human happiness. Before earning the Ph.D. in psychology, he earned the license to teach theology in pontifical universities, achieved a masters degree in the teaching of mathematics, and was licensed as a parent and teacher effectiveness trainer. During his years of psychological practice, he attained membership in The American Psychological Association, American Orthopsychiatric Association, and American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. He became a Preferred Provider of General Psychological Services, Washington, D.C., was admitted as a Fellow in The American Orthopsychiatric Association, and in 1992 was admitted to Who's Who Among Human Services Professionals. All this rich academic background, coupled with the common sense of a farmer's son and a great sense of humor, contributes richly to his little book, Out of God's Closet. Reviewers have called it the work of genius, simple and profound, easy to read, deeply insightful and outrageously funny. The book reflects the author's journey from superstition to the joyful practice of a modified Golden Rule while showing other doubters of "eternal truths of childhood" how to enjoy a rich and friendly planetary life without guilt.