PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS The term "psychology" is derived from two Greek words, psyche, which means "soul," "spirit," or "mind," and logos, which means "science" or "study of," and it refers to the scientific study of human experience and behavior. The psychology of religion seeks to understand the causal connections between religious backgrounds and religious consciousness and to predict behaviors. It aims to study spiritual consciousness with inquiries into religious behavior patterns. Karl Marx called religion the “opium of the people.” Religion is the comprehensive theory of this universe, its encyclopedic compendium, popularized logic, spiritual point of distinction, fervor, moral sanction, solemn supplement, and global foundation for solace and justification. Since the human essence has not yet attained any actual reality, it is a fantastic realization of the human essence. Therefore, the battle against religion is also against the spiritual world. In Steven Reiss studies that people are drawn to religion because it allows them to gratify their primal needs repeatedly. Religion cannot be reduced to a single essence. Based on Reiss's findings from the 1990s, he developed the idea of what draws individuals to religion. He and his colleagues polled thousands, asking them to rate how much they welcomed a wide range of potential goals. The 16 universal basic needs the researchers ultimately discovered are: acceptance, curiosity, eating, family, honor, idealism, independence, order, physical activity, power, romance, saving, social contact, status, serenity, and vengeance. In a study published in 2000, Reiss found that those who identified as religious—the participants in the study were predominantly Christians—expressed a strong desire for interdependence with others. However, there was a greater thirst for independence and self-reliance among individuals who did not practice religion. Reiss cited one example of how religion addresses the urge for vengeance. Even if some religions advocate for a God of peace and exhort followers to "turn the other cheek," there is also the possibility of divine anger and holy wars. Religion draws many types, including those who favor world peace and seek a vindictive God. The human soul is religious, according to psychology. The human soul is religious, according to psychology. People consciously and unconsciously react to the enigma of the supernatural and the riddle of life and passing. Perhaps underlying are psychological experiences and particular worldviews of the universe and oneself. These beliefs influence certain taboo and ritualistic acts. As It is not the case regarding the truthfulness of the beliefs. it is the territory of philosophy, not psychology plus science. The replies are what matter most for psychology focal. A psychological viewpoint on religion is frequently used to see it as a reflection of man's sensitivity to the "sacred." SOURCE: (2003). Psychological Understanding of Religion (2nd ed.). Spinks, G. Stephen. Psychology and Religion, Margaret Gorman (ed), New York: Paulist Press, NA. Why People Turn to Religion: A Motivational Analysis. (2000, September 24). Why People Turn to Religion: A Motivational Analysis. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. The development of a screening measure for psychopathology in people with mental retardation. (1990, September 24).
