Choice Theory and Spirituality Q/A by Rhon V. Carleton

Question: "I was wondering how the bible compares to choice theory
especially when you have verses in proverbs that say he who spares the
rod hates his son and also what does choice theory say about demon
possession and the spiritual world? Also, when the bible talks about all have sinned and fall short of God's glory and that we need to be saved. How does choice theory view these things?"

Answer:  Let me first mention that I have been associated with Dr.
Glasser and the WGI for 35 years. The comments I will share are my
understanding of Dr. Glasser's take on these topics. Dr. Glasser has
deliberately stayed away from couching choice theory and reality therapy within the context of any world religious view.  He seeks to offer his theory of how the human brain works
to choose behaviors based upon his observations, study and conclusions which
will apply equally to persons of all faiths, races, cultures and
nationalities. I was drawn to the study of CT/RT when I came to realize that this is the
closest secular system to a biblical understanding of human behavior. In
theological terms, I believe that Dr. Glasser has received his sincular,
unsurpassed understanding through "general revelation" which God gives to
all people.There is a biblical reference in Romans 1: 20 which reads: "For
since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities---his eternal
power and divine nature---have been clearly seen being understood from what
has been made,..." Dr. Glasser has used general revelation in
uncovering the way our brains work to chose need-fulfilling behaviors
to get what we want the most now.

CT would agree that every human being has a basic need for freedom
(mankind's nature is that he/she is free to choose). Each person chooses to
place pictures that he/she believes to be most need fulfilling in his
Quality World. This would include pictures of systems of faith and
morality. We may choose to include pictures of God, religion and references
to child discipline in our Quality World. You mentioned the verse that
speaks of "he who spares the rod hates his son." Many are raised by parents
who practiced physical discipline in nurturing children. "No pain, no
gain!" Choice Theory defers to the procedures of reality therapy in having
adults and children alike self-evaluate their behavior and make better
choices. The only time I heard Dr. Glasser advocate spanking is when the
young child may be choosing a life threatening behavior such as running in
front of moving cars. There has been a children's made-up game called
"Yikes!" where a child deliberately runs in front of a moving car. This
would be such an incidence when spanking may be in order.

You also mentioned, "what does CT say about demon possession and thespiritual world?" I referred to placing pictures of our spiritual beliefsin our quality world. They are sometimes harder to take out of our quality world than to put them in. Pictures of our beliefs about demon possession will also be placed in our quality world when we see them as need-fulfilling. CT does not have a statement of belief concerning
theological positions of demon possession or any other specific religious
doctrines. Instead, if a person chooses one or more of the seven deadly
habits, we help them self-evaluate the consequences of such behaviors and to
choose to replace them with the seven caring habits (see Matthew 7:1-2,
Romans 2:1, John 12:47-48 and Luke 6:38).*

Your last observation was, "... when the bible talks about 'all have sinned
and fallen short of God's glory' and that we need to be saved, how does
choice theory view these things? Both CT and Judaeo-Christian faith believe
that mankind was created good. The Judaeo-Christian belief is that mankind
was tempted and chose through freedom to go against God's perfect will. In
CT the origin of temptation comes through our creative reorganization
process that pops pictures of need fulfilling alternative behaviors without
regard to morality. We may choose a need fulfilling behavior which we
believe to be against God's will (sin) and join all of humanity who have
done likewise. CT and scripture talk of "guilting" behaviors. Dr. Glasser
once said that "if we chose to guilt enough, it will keep us from doing the
temptation again." The scriptures talk about "being saved" from the cycle
of sin and moving toward reconciliation with others and God (see I
Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 4:15, I John 1:9, and Psalm 32:5). Christians
usually believe the concept that Jesus Christ, the redeemer, paid the price
of the punishment we deserve for our sinning. He could do this because he
had no sin of his own and willingly died for for those who believe in him as
Savior, that they may have eternal life (John 3:16) living in God's eternal
kingdom. Choice Theory uses the procedures of reality therapy to establish
reconciliation in relationships between people and the God of their belief
system.