From Disgust to Dehumanization: Theological Reflections on the Psychology of Otherness

A talk given by Dr. Richard Beck, Professor of Psychology at Abilene Christian University. Beck's published research covers topics from the psychology of profanity to why Christian bookstore art is so bad. He also leads a bible study each week for fifty inmates in maximum security. On any given week he could be driving the van, preaching or washing dishes at Freedom Fellowship, a church plant feeding and reaching out to those on the margins. On his popular blog, "Experimental Theology," he writes about the theology of Johnny Cash, the demonology of Scooby-Doo, or his latest bible class on monsters. This talk will address considerations of "other-ing" in the theological context.