An Analysis of Freud’s Critique of Religion Essay

In his book Future of an Illusion, Sigmund Freud inspection uses his method of psychoanalysis on piety. By comparing the relationship in the midst of humans and faith to that of a child and his p arents Freud effectively demonstrates that religion is a product of the human mind. After exposing religion as a an legerdemain Freud concludes that humanity bequeath be improve off when it has forgone religion. This paper will argue that Freuds assertion that religion is an illusion is correct be exertion of its blatantly traceable evolution through the bill of the human nuance and psyche.The first arguwork forcet that Freud charters in his assault on religion regards cultivation. Freud argues that human nicety arose as a result of mankinds necessarily to comfort itself from nature. It was precisely because of these dangers with which nature bratens us that we came together and created civilization. (Freud 19) As a result of the need for organization and manpower to prepare defenses against nature, the instincts of men had to be controlled. He furthers this argument by saying that two human traits, slothfulness and the unwilling nature of the masses to listen to reason are accountable for the necessity of the rule of law. Freud then describes the various methods of coercion that arse be employed by civilization to halt instinctual privation. The approximately important of which he points bulge as be religion.The main reasons that Freud ranks religion as world/having been the most important tool in civilization are its ability to explain the various inequities and inexplicable phenomena that afflict human civilization. Freud points out how ancient civilizations used religion to humanize nature. By making these inwrought terrors beings that could be dealt with just like men it all(prenominal)owed quite a little the chance to defend to and have the illusion of influence on nature. He in like manner illuminates with tenuous sarcasm how conven ient religion is in its ability to restore all the trials and tribulations of life for us. Everything that happens in this world is an expression of the intentions of an intelligence original to us, which in the end, though its ways and byways are difficult to follow, orders alwaysything for the best. (Freud 23)The humanity of this portend creature who creates justice for us ensures that the masses will not cheat from the laws and tenets of religion and society for fear of being judged by this entity. Religion is also valuable to civilization for its ability to explain end. Thanks to religion, death became something other than merely the termination of a life. Death stopped being the end and was recasted into the role of a doorway to another existence. As though knowing that the continuation of life were not enough, religion furthers its admit appeal by promising that the afterlife will be better than life on Earth. The afterlife itself also serves a function as well. A desire 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 examine to fill in the gaps where civilization and the pursuit of life cannot make individuals happy. He says that, The urge to rectify the shortcomings of civilization which made themselves painfully felt is carry out by religion. (Freud 27) This can be seen throughout modern society in many different forms. It is telling that quite often individuals who are extremely ill, paralyzed, poor, or otherwise fr possessed upon by civilization and culture tend to be more apparitional.Later Freud turns his argument to the legal historical proof adjoin religions. Using an analogy of a child learning geography and simply accepting on faith that the places he sees on a occasion exist rather than going on a pilgrimage roughly the world, Freud attacks religious doctrines. He does this by pointing out that though the child takes on faith wha t 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 analogous manner of thinking to religious doctrines when he holds what these kind of claims these doctrines are founded on and why we should weigh them? The answers he says are that they were believed by our ancestors and that it is forbidden to skepticism them.Freud points out that it is the latter point which highlights societys own cognizance of the insecurity of the claim it makes on behalf of its religious doctrines. (Freud 33) The own paranoia that religions have of notwithstanding 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 maintained that religious doctrines do fall under the microscope of reason. The most common religious document of all time, The Bible, holds a picky truism that further illustra tes the paranoia or religion against reason. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (Pr all overbs 35)Another important concept that Freud uses to reassessment religion can be found in his broad background in psychology. He alludes greatly the Oedipus complex in his dealings with God and the individual. According to Freud, humankind is alike to a child who needs to be protected and back up in his/her everyday life, thus he/she sees God as supportive, protective father. Freud gives his own theories outlying(prenominal) too much justice in this regard. One does not need to regard God as a father-figure to believe in him. There are many people who believe in God that do not accept God as a beneficent omnipotent being. However, 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 wh en he describes the convenient nature of religion to particular times of civilization. Freud says that we know approximately 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 almost exactly what we want to hear. We shall tell ourselves that it would be very beautiful if thither were a God who created the world and was a benevolent providence, and if there were a moral order in the universe and an afterlife but it is a very striking fact that all this is exactly as we are bound to wish it to be. (Freud 42)Freuds assertion that religions are in fact illusions created to deceive men into reunouncing their instincts for the advancement of civilization is based entirely on generalizations about all religions. These generalizations, however, can be well supported when one looks back throughout history. Religion could easily be compared to a chameleon that changes its color to fit whatever the needs of c ivilization are to survive. It is ironic 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 purpose states, there is undoubtedly a clear link between religion and the evolution of civilization. A fantastic example 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 resurrect or Knights Templar. The Knights Templar in the middle ages were created to be the shock troops for atomic number 63s holy war against the infidels. When this war was lost and the military offset of the knights were no eight-day needed, the organization was systematically eliminated. Its leaders were aerated with heresy and killed and its wealth was confiscated, simply because the organizations purpose no longer coincide 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 decline and material decadence had taken over, Christianity appeared over the horizon as one of the saving graces of the Roman imperium. As the threat from fierces grew in on the empires borders grew, so did Christianity place in Rome. It was eventually elevated 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 salvation from Christ. It is interesting that such a doctrine would arise concisely before a time of annihilation.Finally, it is important to note the role of religion in capitalism. Capitalism, as pointed out by Marx, is a vastly uncomplimentary system of economy for many people. While some would argue that it allows people the freedom make their own destinies, others would say that capitalism traps some in a cycle of poverty. E ither way, those who are born poor are in a highly 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 inject the kingdom of God (Matthew 1924). This type of thinking has been fundamental for the constancy of capitalism throughout history. No amount of earthly wealth could ever compare to the golden paved streets of heaven and eternal bliss.Freuds critique of religion demonstrates the disturbing correlations between religion and civilization and shows us the sure 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 divinel y originated, but he did not disprove God. His belief that it was time for civilization to grow up from religion whitethorn be correct but it will never happen. Religion is far too embedded in civilization to ever be removed(p) by simply showing the educated its true purpose. analogous life on this planet, religion has adapted to whatever environment our 8000 form old civilization has placed it. Even if everyone knew religion to be cryptograph 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 desire to not believe in religion for it to be eliminated. This desire to discover the truth would be outweighed by the desire of a majority of humanity to rectify the inexplicable world of death and unjustness to their own lives.