Religion As Illusion and A
Reaction Against Helplessness
Introduction
The Problem

Freud said the nature of our society is at conflict
with our most basic desires (the desires of the id)

We have seen one such conflict in the form of the
Oedipal desire to kill the father and possess the
mother

If conflicts like that of Oedipus unbridled society
would not be able to operate – society depends
upon structure and order: those who have
responsibility to govern must have authority and
this will inevitably conflict with the desires of
each individual
Religion As an Illusion To Overcome the
Conflict Between Our Natures and
Civilisation

Religion provides a reason to submit to
authority.

It explains our suffering in terms of the
need to obey an omnipotent God.

It promises reward for suffering in the
afterlife and makes society bearable.
What It Does

Religion therefore provides the necessary
motivation for sublimation to occur.

As the most natural outlet is forbidden it
forces our libidos into other areas

Having so motivated the believer it
provides ample scope for sublimation in
fields such as religious art, music or
charity work
Religion As an Illusion To Overcome
Our Fear of Natural Forces

Freud says that the natural human response
to being confronted by natural forces
(including death) is panic and helplessness at
our defencelessness and solitude

Religion helps by creating the belief that the
natural forces are no longer impersonal and
that we are no longer powerless because
through religious devotion we believe we
can control them
Everything that happens in the world is an
expression 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 – that is, it makes it
enjoyable for us.
Sigmund Freud, Civilisation and its Discontent, 1930

So religious belief provides for the adult a
father figure who can protect just as the
father protected the child.
To the strange superior powers
of nature, the adult lends the
features belonging to the figure
of his father; he creates for
himself the gods.
Task

Freud claims that religion is an illusion to
overcome the conflict between our
natures and civilisation and an illusion to
help us overcome our fear of natural
forces. Do you think this is a good
explanation of religious origin? Why/Why
not?
◦ Do you agree with just one point perhaps?
◦ Can you think of any counter arguments
against Freud’s theory.