ABSTRACT
Why a chapter on men and spirituality? Are a man’s religious or spiritual beliefs different from those of a woman? Research tells us that it is not in the belief system that the differences in male and female spirituality occur but rather in how that belief system is formed. Although some women chafe under the all-encompassing patriarchal context of most organized religions, men often suffer from the idea that faith-related beliefs and practices are too “feminine” for “real men.” Ian Harris (1997) maintained that spirituality plays an important role in how a man feels about himself. Harris asserts that belief in a higher power helps men choose the moral “high road.” Other writers see the masculine quest for a higher power as a search for the “Great Warrior” or the “Supreme Being.” What most writers agree upon, however, is that the path to spirituality is a journey that is often fraught with uncertainty and even pain. However, it can also be a powerful force for good and a source of much inner peace and joy.
