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News: Poor self-esteem

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by Deacon, May 27, 2003.

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  1. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    From SCIENCE, vol. 300, p1083, 16 May, 2003 www.sciencemag.org

    “The self-esteem wave may have crested. For the last couple of decades it has been an article of faith among experts of many stripes that high self-esteem is the font from which all human goodness springs. The movement reached a fever pitch in the 1980’s when California funded a state task force on self-esteem, claiming that “many, if not most, of the major problems plaguing society have roots in …low self-esteem.”

    Research on the subject has yielded a mixed bag of results. But a lengthy review of the literature, led by psychologist Roy Baumeister of Florida State University, Tallahassee, confirms that high self-esteem per se is not necessarily good nor does it translate into higher estimates by others of a person’s brains, beauty, or virtue.

    Psychologist Robert Bjork of the University of California, Los Angeles, says faith in the powers of self-esteem has led to the credo that ‘every kid should feel good about him-or herself …in some contest, for example, whatever the actual merits of their carved pumpkin every kid had to get the same prize.” In fact though, “self-esteem is a result, not a cause, of doing well,” the authors write in this month’s issue of Psychological Science in the Public Interest.

    They also observe that “indiscriminate praise might just as easily promote narcissism.” After all, points out Brown University psychologist Lewis Lipsitt, Hitler thought highly of himself.

    Self-esteem as panacea is “a very compelling illusion,” because it correlates with happiness and other good things, says Baumeister, but psychologists “were a little too eager in promoting the program before the data were in.” Baumeister says his current research contains quite a different lesson: “Forget about self-esteem---concentrate on self-control.”

    [ June 26, 2003, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: Squire Robertsson ]
     
    #1 Deacon, May 27, 2003
  2. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    Unfortunately, there is little, if any, discussion over what constitutes proper, biblical, and Godly self-esteem. But why does that not surprise me?
     
    #2 Johnv, May 27, 2003
  3. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    I, for one, truly do not understand this crusade against self-esteem from the conservative camp.

    I have heard for years and it has baffled me for years.

    A poor self-image is a very real thing and a very damaging thing. It comes from the devil. He knows that we are the image of Jehovah God and yet he wants us to despise ourselves and therefore despise God.

    Let me give you some things to chew on. This is not from me, but from Wayne Jackson and ChristianCourier.com.

    ......................................

    "Causes of low self-esteem"

    </font>
    • physical features</font>
    • lack of education</font>
    • tragic circumstances (rape, no parent(s), etc.)</font>
    • physical/emotional abuse</font>
    • sin</font>
    "Characteristics of low self-esteem"

    </font>
    • substance abuse</font>
    • sexual promiscuity</font>
    • a critical spirit</font>
    • materialism</font>
    • despair of secularism</font>
    "Cure for diminished self-esteem"

    </font>
    • embrace who we are (the image of God)</font>
    • embrace God's unspeakable gift (Jesus the Christ)</font>
    ..........................................

    Now back to me.

    Don't get me wrong. I understand that pop psychology wants to us to engage the problem of poor self-esteem in some awfully silly ways.

    But that doesn't in any way diminish the fact that millions of human beings across the world from the pre-school to the the nursing home have no self-worth whatsoever and that includes millions of Christians.

    And we, as the righteous or should I say the self-righteous, because we despise the current practiced methodology, sit back in the comfort of our ivory towers and mock the sydrome. And we mock those who have it and those who need to know that God knew them from the womb and created them in His image and has a wondrous plan for their lives.

    Peace-

    YSIC
    Scarlett O. [​IMG]
    &lt;&gt;&lt;

    [ May 27, 2003, 07:47 PM: Message edited by: Scarlett O. ]
     
    #3 Scarlett O., May 27, 2003
  4. Ernie Brazee

    Ernie Brazee <img src ="/ernie.JPG">

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    Now, let us see what God has to say about self esteem.
    Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
    11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
    12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
    13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
    14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
    Luke 18:
     
    #4 Ernie Brazee, May 28, 2003
  5. USN2Pulpit

    USN2Pulpit New Member

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    Brother Ernie, I don't think the self-esteem that is being spoken about here means that a person has "exalted himself." I think even in humility, a person can appreciate what God has and is making of them. I suppose though, that for a Christian to do that, they must first make themselves low, so that God can work in them.

    The trouble starts when a person crosses the line from self-esteem to arrogance.
     
    #5 USN2Pulpit, May 28, 2003
  6. wizofoz

    wizofoz New Member

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    Yes, it's so very easy to cross the line from good self esteem to arrogance.

    Romans 12:3 -- "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

    1 Corinthians 4:6 -- "And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another."

    High self esteem is as bad as low self esteem.
     
    #6 wizofoz, May 28, 2003
  7. InHim2002

    InHim2002 New Member

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    that has to be one of the worst arguments I have ever heard in my life!

    correlation does not equal causation
     
    #7 InHim2002, May 28, 2003
  8. USN2Pulpit

    USN2Pulpit New Member

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    There's the key. The problem is knowing at all times where the line is! Perhaps we ought to lean toward humility when looking for it! (Just to be safe!)
     
    #8 USN2Pulpit, May 28, 2003
  9. wizofoz

    wizofoz New Member

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    that has to be one of the worst arguments I have ever heard in my life!

    correlation does not equal causation     </font>[/QUOTE]I don't know.... Napoleon thought very highly of himself too..Stalin.....King Herod.....
    In fact most people like that through history thought so highly of themselves that they believed they could rule the world. High self esteem can be dangerous.
     
    #9 wizofoz, May 28, 2003
  10. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    There's a fine balance between having a godly sense of self worth, and an ungodly sense of self worth:

    If we have a view of ourselves that is greater than God's view, we become guilty of sinful pride. Satan can use this to give us the ungodly idea that we have no need for God.

    If we think less of ourselves than God thinks of us, we do not give credit to our creator and end up with a low and unhealthy sense of self worth. Satan can use this to give us the ungodly idea that we aren't important enough for God to care about us, or that he doesn't love us.

    If we think of ourselves as God think of us, it open the door to having a healthy and godly view of self esteem and self worth, and open the door to a healthy relationship with our creator.

    God's view of us is clear in Gen1: we are creations that he sees as not just good, but very good. Later, Jesus gives us a whole sermon containing eight beatitudes, which are about our value to God and our value to ourselves.
     
    #10 Johnv, May 28, 2003
  11. Charlotte Marcel

    Charlotte Marcel New Member

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    Very well put John. [​IMG]

    Charlotte
     
    #11 Charlotte Marcel, May 28, 2003
  12. Baptist Believer

    Baptist Believer Well-Known Member
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    Self-esteem and humility are not opposites.

    Self-esteem is recognizing your worth to God and the fact that your life makes a difference to God, to your loved ones and those whom you serve.

    Humility is recognizing your weaknesses and your need for God and other people.

    Both are essential for believers.
     
    #12 Baptist Believer, May 28, 2003
  13. Daniel David

    Daniel David New Member

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    It is nice to see the world recognize the worthlessness of "self-esteem".

    Now that people in the world recognize the worthlessness of "self-esteem", it will only be a matter of time before so-called "christians" see that research as supporting "self-esteem". Dobson, Smalley, and the rest are always just a couple of years behind the world.
     
    #13 Daniel David, May 28, 2003
  14. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    Great, now we're "so called" Christians.

    How inappropriately judgemental of you.
     
    #14 Johnv, May 28, 2003
  15. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    You put that incredibly well. Thank you [​IMG]
     
    #15 Johnv, May 28, 2003
  16. wizofoz

    wizofoz New Member

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    I agree with Johnv. Great post, BB.
     
    #16 wizofoz, May 28, 2003
  17. wizofoz

    wizofoz New Member

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    What worries me is that some parents are so worried about damaging their child's fragile "self esteem" that they go to all lengths to keep the child from getting upset, or they refrain from correcting them, for fear they will think less of themselves. They go overboard with it, and cause great harm.
     
    #17 wizofoz, May 28, 2003
  18. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    I agree wiz. I'm a parent of three. If I didn't praise them when they did right, I wouldn't be doing my job as a parent. OTOH, if I didn't correct them when they did wrong, I likewise would not be doing my job as a parent.
     
    #18 Johnv, May 28, 2003
  19. Daniel David

    Daniel David New Member

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    Yeah, that is what I said. :rolleyes:
     
    #19 Daniel David, May 28, 2003
  20. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    #20 Johnv, May 28, 2003
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