Scientist vs. believer?: On navigating between the scilla of scientific norms and the charybdis of personal experience

A clash exists between the established norms and rules for doing scientific research and the personal convictions and experiences of psychologists of religion. This complex issue is approached from a critical, hypothetical re alist perspective with regard to epistemological concerns when approaching the topic of the transcendent. The impact of personal religious experience on the work of the clinician/researcher in the psychology of religion is ex plored; various perspectives on scientifically investigated religious pheno mena seem most advantageous, as is present within research teams with diver se membership. In addition, the evolution of the philosophy of scientific k nowledge is discussed in light of these topics. Finally, conclusions regard ing the ideal attitudes and competencies of psychologists of religion are p referred.