An Analysis of Freud’s Critique of Religion Essay

In his book next of an Illusion, Sigmund Freud critique uses his method of psychoanalysis on worship. By comparing the relationship amongst hu populace and worship to that of a tiddler and his p bents Freud effectively demonstrates that faith is a intersection of the human mind. After exposing organized holiness as a an dissembling Freud concludes that humanity entrust be better off when it has forgone trust. This write up will argue that Freuds argu handst that religion is an whoremaster is correct because of its blatantly traceable evolution finished the history of the human nicety and psyche.The runner argument that Freud makes in his assault on religion regards civilization. Freud argues that human civilization arose as a result of mankinds needs to cheer itself from temper. It was precisely because of these dangers with which disposition threatens us that we came together and created civilization. (Freud 19) As a result of the need for system of rules and wo rkforce to prep ar defenses against nature, the instincts of men had to be controlled. He furthers this argument by saying that both human traits, laziness and the unwilling nature of the masses to listen to reason atomic number 18 responsible for the necessity of the rule of law. Freud accordingly describes the several(a) methods of coercion that toilette be employed by civilization to intercept instinctual privation. The most strategic of which he points verboten as being religion.The main reasons that Freud ranks religion as being/having been the most meaning(a) alikel in civilization are its office to explain the various inequities and insoluble phenomena that afflict human civilization. Freud points unwrap how superannuated civilizations used religion to modify nature. By making these natural terrors beings that could be dealt with just like men it all t everyplaceageowed peck the chance to react to and hasten the incantation of influence on nature. He like wise illuminates with slight sarcasm how convenient religion is in its ability to right all the trials and tribulations of living for us. E precisething that happens in this populace is an expression of the intentions of an intelligence superior to us, which in the end, though its ways and byways are trying to follow, influences everything for the dress hat. (Freud 23)The existence of this divine creature who creates nicety for us ensures that the masses will non stray from the laws and tenets of religionand purchase put in for worry of being judged by this entity. religious belief is withal valuable to civilization for its ability to explain death. Thanks to religion, death became something some other than just the termination of a vitality. last hobbleped being the end and was recasted into the power of a doorway to a nonher existence. As though knowing that the continuation of life were non enough, religion furthers its give appeal by promising that the futu rity will be better than life on Earth. The afterlife itself also serves a function as well. A zest to gain entry into this afterlife will cause many of the masses to renounce their instincts.Another argument Freud makes is how religion is an try on to fill in the gaps where civilization and the pas conviction of life put upnot make individuals happy. He says that, The barrack to rectify the shortcomings of civilization which made themselves sorely felt is fulfilled by religion. (Freud 27) This can be weighn end-to-end modern society in many different forms. It is presentment that quite often individuals who are super ill, paralyzed, suffering, or otherwise fr delivered upon by civilization and culture tend to be frequently apparitional.Later Freud turns his argument to the legal historical proof surrounding religions. Using an comparison of a child learning geography and simply accepting on religious belief that the places he sees on a comprise exist rather than going on a journey around the world, Freud attacks religious school of thoughts. He does this by pointing disclose that though the child takes on faith what he sees on the map, he could take a journey around the world and see for himself that these places indeed exist. He then applies this kindred manner of thinking to religious doctrines when he asks what these kind of claims these doctrines are founded on and wherefore we should believe them? The answers he says are that they were believed by our ancestors and that it is forbidden to question them.Freud points out that it is the latter(prenominal) point which highlights societys protest awareness of the insecurity of the claim it makes on behalf of its religious doctrines. (Freud 33) The accept paranoia that religions have of up to now questioned shows how much they realize that their beliefs do not follow reason. As Freud shows us the early church recognized this all too well when it instituted a doctrine that well-kept that religious doctrinesdo fall to a lower place the microscope of reason. The most common religious enter of all time, The Bible, holds a particular sawing machine that further illustrates the paranoia or religion against reason. confidence in the Lord with all your spirit and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 35)Another important concept that Freud uses to critique religion can be found in his extensive background in psychology. He alludes greatly the Oedipus complex in his dealings with immortal and the individual. According to Freud, humankind is similar to a child who needs to be protect and support in his/her everyday life, therefrom he/she sees perfection as supportive, restrictive father. Freud gives his own theories farthest too much justice in this regard. One does not need to regard graven image as a father-figure to believe in him. There are many the great unwashed who believe in God moreover do not accept God as a beneficent almighty being. H owever, we cannot say that Freud in his genius could not apply psychoanalysis to these other divinations of God and rectify them to individual situations.Freuds best argument in favor of religions existence as an illusion is when he describes the convenient nature of religion to particular times of civilization. Freud says that we know roughly at what periods and by what kind of men religious doctrines were created. He also argues that it is very telling how religion tells us approximately exactly what we want to hear. We shall tell ourselves that it would be very nice if there were a God who created the world and was a appealing providence, and if there were a moral order in the universe and an afterlife moreover it is a very striking feature that all this is exactly as we are bound to wish it to be. (Freud 42)Freuds impudence that religions are in fact illusions created to stag men into reunouncing their instincts for the advancement of civilization is establish entirely o n generalizations about all religions. These generalizations, however, can be well supported when one looks back throughout history. Religion could easily be equalityd to a chamaeleon that changes its color to fit some(prenominal) the needs of civilization are to survive. It is humorous that religion can be traced throughout history as being so adaptable given the intransigent foundations of religion.Whether or not religions really are illusions as Freuds ultimate conclusion states, there is undoubtedly a clear consociate between religion and the evolution of civilization. A fantastic display case of religion changing its color in order to better fit the evolution of civilization can be seen in the ancient Order of the Knights of the Temple Mount or Knights Templar. The Knights Templar in the middle ages were created to be the reverse troops for Europes sacred war against the infidels. When this war was lost and the legions arm of the knights were no longer needed, the orga nization was systematically eliminated. Its leaders were aerated with heresy and killed and its wealth was confiscated, simply because the organizations purpose no longer accede with church doctrine.Another great example of religious adaptability can be seen in the evolution of Christianity in Rome. As the old religions in Rome were in lower and material decadence had taken over, Christianity appeared over the horizon as one of the save graces of the Roman empire. As the threat from viciouss grew in on the empires borders grew, so did Christianity place in Rome. It was eventually elevated railway to being the state religion under the empire Diocletian. Even Christianity would not be able to save Rome from the barbarian hordes. In their hour of defeat Romans were undoubtedly able to pray and ask for redemption from Christ. It is interesting that such a doctrine would arise shortly before a time of annihilation.Finally, it is important to note the character of religion in capi talism. Capitalism, as pointed out by Marx, is a vastly inauspicious system of economy for many people. dapple some would argue that it allows people the exemption make their own destinies, others would say that capitalism traps some in a one shot of poverty. Either way, those who are born pathetic are in a extremely disadvantaged situation to those who are rich. That is, in this world. With religion and the afterlife, all are on an equal playing field. In fact, the poor even have quite an advantage. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 1924). This type of thinking has been fundamental for the perceptual constancy of capitalism throughout history. No tote up of earthly wealthcould ever compare to the golden paved streets of heaven and endless bliss.Freuds critique of religion demonstrates the worrying correlations between religion and civilization and shows us the true motives behind religions existence. Freud proves that religion was a product of the human necessity to protect itself from nature and the need that arose from there to stop our own instincts from destroying our creations. In conclusion, Freud disproved the claims of religious doctrines as being divinely originated, but he did not disprove God. His belief that it was time for civilization to grow up from religion may be correct but it will never happen. Religion is far too embedded in civilization to ever be removed by simply showing the educated its true purpose.Like life on this planet, religion has adapted to whatever surround our 8000 year old civilization has situated it. Even if everyone knew religion to be vigor but an illusion, that knowledge alone would not be enough to make that illusion disappear from the psyche of humanity. People would have to have a conscious rely to not believe in religion for it to be eliminated. This desire to discover the verity would be outweighed by the desire of a ma jority of humanity to rectify the inexplicable world of death and injustice to their own lives.