Albert Ellis Live - Part I

Audio recording of Albert Ellis participating in a live audio conference on the Internet via Paltalk in 2000. Ellis answered questions from attendees on various topics, including the serenity prayer. Ellis stated:

"As far as I know, there is no Gods whatsoever, so we don't use God. But we use spiritual views, meaning views that go beyond the individual and to the social group. So, I use the prayer, which is Reinhold Niebuhr's prayer, by saying, 'Give me the courage to change what I can change, the serenity to accept what I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference.' You don't need God in it."

This conference was hosted by Jeffrey T. Guterman. Hosted by http://www.jeffreyguterman.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• albertellis
• rebt
• counseling
• psychotherapy
• guterman
• spirituality
• God
• atheism
• mentalhealth
• serenity
• religion
• wisdom

[jguterman]

Ellis talks about the serenity prayer at 4:24.

[jguterman]

Yes, I would say that this is phrased in keeping with an REBT perspective.

[cwieand]

Perhaps it would be better rephrased as a statement:

Strive to change those unfortunate things you can change, accept what you cannot change, and learn the difference between the two.

[jguterman]

I would say you are probably accurate here. Ellis would have give himself the courage, wisdom, and serenity.

[psydoc86]

Dr. Guterman, who then would give Albert Ellis courage, wisdom and serenity as an individual if he doesn't use God in the prayer and his beginning statement is, "Give me the....?" Would he asking to give it himself?