An Analysis of Freud’s Critique of Religion Essay

In his book Future of an Illusion, Sigmund Freud critique uses his method of psychoanalysis on devotion. By comparing the relationship between human and godliness to that of a child and his pargonnts Freud effectively demonstrates that piety is a product of the human mind. afterward exposing religion as a an illusion Freud concludes that humanity will be better off when it has forgone religion. This paper will argue that Freuds assertion that religion is an illusion is correct because of its blatantly traceable evolution through the history of the human nicety and heading.The first argument that Freud makes in his assault on religion regards elegance. Freud argues that human civilization arose as a result of man graciouss needs to protect itself from nature. It was precisely because of these dangers with which nature threatens 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 s butt ending that two human traits, acedia and the unwilling nature of the masses to listen to reason are responsible for the necessity of the rule of law. Freud then describes the various methods of coercion that can be diligent by civilization to halt instinctual privation. The most burning(prenominal) of which he oral sexs out as being religion.The main reasons that Freud ranks religion as being/having been the most important alikel 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 natural terrors beings that could be dealt with just like men it altogetherowed people the chance to react to and have the illusion of influence on nature. He also illuminates with slight sarcasm how convenient religion is in its ability to rectify all the t rials and tribulations of life for us. Everything that happens in this world is an observation of the intentions of an intelligence superior to us, which in the end, though its ways and byways are difficult to follow, orders everything for the best. (Freud 23)The existence of this divine creature who creates justice for us ensures that the masses will non stray from the laws and tenets of religionand society for fear of being judged by this entity. Religion is also valuable to civilization for its ability to explain finis. Thanks to religion, death became something other than simply the termination of a life. Death stopped being the end and was recasted into the role of a doorway to another existence. As though sharp that the continuation of life were not enough, religion furthers its own 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 leave office their instincts.Another argument Freud makes is how religion is an attempt 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 do themselves painfully felt is fulfilled 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 frowned upon by civilization and culture tend to be more religious.Later Freud turns his argument to the legal historical proof surrounding religions. Using an analogy of a child learning geography and simply accepting on opinion that the places he sees on a social function exist rather than going on a journey around the world, Freud attacks religious doctrines. He does this by pointing out 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 same manner of view to religious doctrines when he asks what these kind of claims these doctrines are founded on and why 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 point which highlights societys own awareness of the insecurity of the claim it makes on behalf of its religious doctrines. (Freud 33) The own paranoia that religions have of even questioned shows how much they realize that their beliefs do not follow reason. As Freud shows us the early church service recognized this all too well when it instituted a doctrine that maintained that religious doctrinesdo attain under the microscope of reason. The most common religious document of all time, The Bible, holds a particular Proverb that further illustrates the paranoia or religion against reason. Trust in the nobleman with all y our heart and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 35)Another important concept that Freud uses to critique 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 similar to a child who needs to be protected and supported in his/her everyday life, thus he/she sees God as supportive, protective father. Freud gives his own theories far 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 but 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 when he describes the convenient nature of religion to particular times of civilization. Freud says tha t 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 sharp if there 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 shit 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 civilization 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 conclusion 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 tantalise or Knights Templar. The Knights Templar in the middle ages were created to be the shock troops for Europes holy war against the infidels. When this war was lost and the military arm of the knights were no longer needed, the organization was systematically eliminated. Its leaders were charged 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 aggravate and material decadence had taken over, Christianity appeared over the horizon as one of the saving graces of the Roman empire. As the threat from barbarians 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 bear on 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 rally shortly 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 reproving 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. Either 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 chevy than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 1924). This type of thinking has been fundamental for the stability of capitalism throughout history. No core of earthly wealthcould 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 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 whitethorn be correct bu t 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 environment our 8000 year old civilization has placed it. Even if everyone knew religion to be nothing 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 injustice to their own lives.