Sommario: 1. Cenni autobiografici; 2. Silenzio o dialogo in analisi?; 3. L’analisi come luogo di relazionalità e narratività; 4. . Domanda preliminare in un percorso analitico aperto alla dimensione religiosa; 5. Dove si situa il religioso all’interno della mente dell’uomo?; 6. Psicologia culturale della religione. Il contesto odierno; 7. I Movimenti ecclesiali e le Nuove Comunità; 8. Arretramento o eclissi dell’interesse religioso?; 9. Conversioni e riconversioni; 10. Considerazioni a partire dalla clinica; 11. Riferimenti bibliografici.
In this paper, using my clinical experiences as a basis, I wish to highlight the idea that the relationship that exists between religion and a person’s mental health is not something that is predetermined, nor can it be predicted either in terms of coping, or in terms of psychopathology itself. Furthermore, I do not believe it is at all possible to determine whether or not an existing religious representation can be “healthy” or “unhealthy”, nor is it possible to define the characteristics that make a religion beneficial or pathological. I think that from a psychologist’s point of view, asking the question Is religion good for your health? in such an extreme and abstract manner is pointless and does not make sense.