Many people worry they have psychological ‘baggage.’ For example, they go through a bad marriage or other prolonged, emotionally traumatic experience. They fear this baggage will harm them in future relationships. Or they think it might otherwise impair their future … Continue reading
Category: Daily Dose of Reason
The Right to Life, Liberty … and a Wedding Cake?!
First, the facts as reported in the media: Headline: Christian bakery under investigation [by the state of Oregon] after owners refused to sell wedding cake to lesbian couple Christian bakery Sweet Cakes by Melissa refused to make a wedding cake … Continue reading
Never Do Business With Friends: True or False?
Dear Dr. Hurd, They say you should never do business with friends, and I guess it’s true. We (my wife and I) did business with a friend in our hometown, and now there are problems with the items we purchased. … Continue reading
Obama Loves Islam–And Social Liberals Don’t Care
If Congress passed a law pouring billions of tax dollars into the Catholic Church, or fundamentalist Baptist churches, the outrage across the land would be widespread—and entirely justified. Yet Barack Obama, who never seems to be held accountable for anything, … Continue reading
Bad Things Happen to Good People Because…
A reader asks: ‘How do you approach religious issues with depressed or troubled people, since you’re not religious yourself, and since therapists don’t usually address religion anyway?’ I find a lot of people non-committal about religion. ‘I believe in God, … Continue reading
Who Says AA Helps Everyone?
“Since the inception of Alcoholics Anonymous — the progenitor of 12-step programs — science has sometimes been at odds with the notion that laypeople can cure themselves because the numerous spiritual references that go with the 12-step program puts AA … Continue reading
Matt Damon’s Search for the Truth
At times, you have to feel sorry for Hollywood advocates of Big Government socialist programs. They become so confused, when their own ideological premises turn against them. Consider the following dilemma of celebrity and actor Matt Damon. Matt Damon recently … Continue reading
Not Your Mommy or Daddy’s Work Ethic
What’s a work ethic? And if it’s important, why is it important? I found this definition of ‘work ethic’ at Wikepedia: Work ethic is a value based on hard work and diligence. It is also a belief in the moral … Continue reading
Obama, Make Me Comfortable
“Socialism needs democracy like the human body needs oxygen,” said the famous Marxist, Leon Trotsky. Trotsky was right. Although democratic vote (in a republic) does not necessarily have to mean socialism, socialism—by definition—feeds off the mob rule of the majority. … Continue reading
“Yes I Can” … “No I Can’t”
We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done. — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow And it works both ways! If you underestimate your potential, or if you ignore your prior … Continue reading
“I Can’t Live This Way”
Dear Dr. Hurd, My husband and I (no children) have been very happy for the last four years. Up until now. He has become Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He’s fine one minute, then, in response to the slightest thing, … Continue reading
“You MAKE Me Feel” … Wrong!
Which is more important: Mental health or personal responsibility? I say both—equally. Why? Because the two are intertwined. A mentally healthy person understands that emotions result from thoughts. In other words, it isn’t possible to say or think, ‘You made … Continue reading