종교 중독의 치유에 대한 기독교적 교육 모델 개발 = Developing a Christian Educational Model for the Treatment of Religious Addiction

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study aims to provide an integrated understanding of religious addiction from theological and psychological perspectives and to propose a Christian educational model for its recovery. Religious addiction is defined not merely as repetitive religious behavior but as a condition in which religious beliefs dominate an individual’s cognition and behavior, leading to loss of control, dependency, and functional impairment. Unlike substance addiction, it is understood as a form of behavioral addiction characterized by fear-based and compulsive religiosity that distorts various aspects of life. This study first examines the general concept and types of addiction and then analyzes the characteristics and causes of religious addiction. It identifies that religious addiction originates from irrational religious beliefs and cognitive distortions, weakening personal autonomy and the ability to cope with reality. Therefore, it emphasizes that understanding addiction as a “state” rather than a mere “behavior” is essential for effective treatment and recovery. Furthermore, the study explains how religious addiction functions as a psychological mechanism to compensate for emotional deficiencies such as anxiety, guilt, and insecurity, and how these conditions are reinforced through excessive religious practices. It also highlights the risk that religious addiction may be misinterpreted as spiritual devotion within faith communities and proposes criteria for distinguishing pathological religiosity from healthy faith. Based on this framework, the study proposes a Christian educational model for overcoming religious addiction. First, it presents a structured educational process grounded in the stages of change model (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance) derived from motivational interviewing theory. Second, it introduces specific educational procedures using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to reconstruct irrational beliefs and dysfunctional cognitive schemas. In addition, the study emphasizes that this educational model should be applied not only at the individual level but also expanded to community and societal levels, highlighting the importance of forming a healthy religious culture and preventive education. It suggests that continuous learning and reflective processes play a crucial role in restructuring belief systems and sustaining recovery. In conclusion, religious addiction can be prevented and treated through systematic educational intervention, and recovery can be achieved by forming rational religious beliefs and maintaining continuous management processes.