Paul Arnott
John Smith’s new book, Beyond the Myth of Self Esteem, was launched last Thursday night in Melbourne by the host of ABC local radio’s Sunday Nights program, John Cleary.
John Smith, who founded the Christian motor cycle group God’s Squad, addresses a number of myths about self-esteem currently in Australian society.
He attacks head on the ‘You must feel good look good myth.’ He writes that ‘a feel good manoeuvre is deluding ourselves and others into believing that we are competent in virtually every situation we encounter, quashing feelings of inferiority or embarrassment.’ He suggests, that it’s only when we own our lack of knowledge or experience that we open the door to gaining the very skills and qualities we’d like to have.’
Launching the book John Cleary said he hoped that many people would benefit from what John Smith had written and the book was utterly consistent with his passionate commitment to tackle the hard issues facing Australian society.
Eureka Street magazine writes that Beyond the Myth of Self Esteem ‘contends, with considerable ethical heft, that we ignore the pain or needs of others, the better to get off on our own gloriousness.’
