There are numerous and outstanding philosophers who have contributed to the field of philosophy and in particular on issues relating to religion. Sigmund Freud is a man who has been variously described by other scholars. Peter Gay in the biographical introduction of ‘The Future of an Illusion’ describes Freud as an atheist, who is fully convinced about the idea, and demonstrates a high degree of consistency and aggressiveness in atheism. In his book The Future of an Illusion wrote in 1927, Sigmund Freud describes various aspects relating to religion, its origin, development and the future. In essence, Freud observes religion as false and wrong system of belief. Freud explains that the religion is an illusion that tells human beings things that they have not yet discovered (Swatos, William and Peter 192). As a qualified doctor and a psychoanalysis specialist, Freud developed numerous theories that related to the development and behavior of the human person. The idea of the analysis and evaluation of dreams as wish-fulfillment acts as a cornerstone in Freud’s postulations regarding religion and culture. Sigmund Freud, therefore, laid a foundation in understanding the concept of religion through his interpretations and critiques (Freud, Todd, Gregory and Oskar 36). His thoughts have been studied for generations and continue to become influential even in the modern day.
Sigmund Freud is an atheist. In his works, he observes religion as an illusion that consist of certain rules and regulations that have been laid down by a certain authority as being incontrovertibly true (Freud, Todd, Gregory and Oskar 28). In addition, he claimed that the religion asserts about facts and conditions relating to internal and external aspects of reality that informs a person about something that one has not oneself discovered (Bacock 75). The aspects of reality as indicated by religion claims that one should give credence to them. According to Freud, religious concepts and ideas are passed on from generation to another in three ways that enable it claim our belief. He argues that the religion took root because our ancestors already believed and embraced it (Kunin 50). Moreover, he emphasizes the fact that we clinch to religion on the basis that we have proof that was handed down to us from antiquity, which according to him is not correct. The last means through which religion is being transmitted according to Freud is the fact that issues and questions relating to the religion are highly forbidden. Freud indicates that no one is allowed to raise questions regarding the authenticity of religion at all and thus in psychological terms the conceptualization of these ideas presents the issue of wish fulfillment (Kunin 50).
The wish fulfillment according to Sigmund Freud relates to perceptions of the oldest, the strongest and the most urgent and pressing needs and wishes of the human kind. Among the wish fulfillment is the need to stick to the existence of the father, earthly and the concept of the future life ((Freud, Todd, Gregory and Oskar 135). Additionally, religion presents the aspect of immortality of the human soul and the life after death. Freud adds that the function of the religion was essentially to restrain and control man’s violent acts and their nature in early phases of civilization. The concept of illusion as developed by Freud indicates that the mankind is in pursuit of an emotional and supernatural being in regard to power that rests in God. Freud argues that religious beliefs and practices serve the purpose of psychological consolation. He claims that the belief of the existence of a supernatural God and protector is a buffer that results from man’s fear of nature and consolation of suffering (Swatos, William and Peter 192). Sigmund Freud believed that the concept of a supernatural protector was irrational just the way mankind’s belief of life after death serves as a justification of man’s fear of death. According to him, religious belief can be best explained and understood through its role to the society, but not for its aspect relating to the truth.
Furthermore, Freud describes the rite of Holy Communion as practiced by the Roman Catholic as a cultural evidence and justification of the killing and devouring of the supernatural and sacred father. Therefore, Freud never believed in religion, and he perceived religion as a means of suppressing violence and mediating conflicts at the societal and personal level between the forces of life and death (Bacock 75). The numerous works by Freud depicts him as an atheist and a man who was highly opposed to religion and the religious beliefs and practices. However, despite the fact that Freud was an atheist and his disregard of religion, he noted that the religion had an outstanding contribution to the human race. It is worth noting that Freud advocated the idea that the religion is useful in the society (Freud, Todd, Gregory and Oskar 116). He notes that the religion is one of the important items at the wake of civilization that is intended to provide a defense against the superior forces of nature and thus corrects the shortcomings of the introduction of civilization. Freud appreciates the idea that there is a massive existence of people who are oppressed and uneducated who would wish to end their lives if not told that God forbids it (Bacock 76). Such is an indication that religion nevertheless is useful in rectifying drastic effects of civilization.
In addition, Freud maintained that the objective of religion is only to restrain and regulate the man’s violent nature especially during the early stages of development. Accordingly, religion serves to provide hope for the hopeless and meaning of life to others (Bacock 76). He claimed that an individual is essentially an enemy to the society and thus there is a need to regulate and restrain their activities in order to achieve a functional society. He demonstrates that the human nature is so destructive and evil that the society could implode if it were not civilizing forces to introduce the concept of religion. Religion emphasizes the idea of the transition from material to mental instinctual drives and for good behavior, religion guarantees a reward. Such religious practices have led to the development of a stable and peaceful society. Finally, Freud’s thoughts have had a significant impact on the western culture and their perception to religion in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries (Freud, Todd, Gregory and Oskar 34). Although some scholars highly disagree with Freud’s conceptualization regarding religion, other scholars observe his thoughts as offering credible and true explanations to some pertinent and conflicting issues in religion (Bacock 76).
Numerous research and scientific studies have are being conducted even today to establish the truth regarding Freud’s theories and ideas in relation to religion. Seymour Fisher and Roger. P Greenberg concluded that some of Freud’s concepts had empirical evidence demonstrating the fact that Freud’s thought have had an influence in people’s life. In conclusion, Sigmund Freud is depicted as a man who was against religion and the religious practices. His claims demonstrated that he was an atheist, and his works demonstrated that although religion is a mankind’s creation, it mitigated violent acts of man in the society. It also enabled peaceful coexistence in the society as it reduced the impacts of civilization especially in its early stages of development.
Works Cited
Bocock, Robert. Sigmund Freud. London: Routledge, 2002. Internet resource.
Freud, Sigmund, Todd Dufresne, Gregory C. Richter, and Oskar Pfister. The Future of an Illusion. Peterborough, Ont: Broadview Press, 2012. Print.
Kunin, Seth D. Religion: The Modern Theories. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2005. Print.
Swatos, William H, and Peter Kivisto. Encyclopedia of Religion and Society. Walnut Creek, Calif: AltaMira Press, 1998. Print.
