“Tear Down to Build Up” Exploring Spiritual and Religious Deconstruction and Reconstruction Utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Abstract

The rise of Americans disaffiliating with Christian faith communities begs further understanding of why disassociation occurs and how healing work may increase meaningful belonging. Such understanding is gained through exploring religious anthropological trends in U.S. Christianity from the 1950s to the present in conjunction with personal development models (i.e. Fowler’s stages of faith and Miller et al. relational-cultural theory). My paper suggests that persons conflicted in their spiritual identity need an outlet to rediscover their identity or else disassociation will continue to persist. Spiritual and religious “nones” seem to be open to alternative approaches to exploring Christianity, engaging spaces where deconstruction of unhelpful, injurious theology can occur followed by reconstruction of authentic theology. I will argue how influences from Ignatian, Lutheran mystical, and Quaker contemplative practices can be amplified through the evidence-based practices of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Motivational Interviewing can help frame these “decon/recon” spaces, resulting in renewed Christian identity and healthy belonging within faith communities.