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Religion As A Collective Neurosis

Religion As A Collective Neurosis. Neurotic Compulsions – Repeated To be performed exactly Calm when completed Anxiety if omitted or “not done right”. Religious Rituals– Repeated To be performed exactly Calm when completed Anxiety if omitted or “not done right”. Neurosis and Religion.

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Religion As A Collective Neurosis

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  1. Religion As A Collective Neurosis

  2. Neurotic Compulsions – • Repeated • To be performed exactly • Calm when completed • Anxiety if omitted or “not done right” • Religious Rituals– • Repeated • To be performed exactly • Calm when completed • Anxiety if omitted or “not done right”

  3. Neurosis and Religion • Freud draws a comparison between religious rituals and neurotic compulsions • He points out that both are repeated, to be performed exactly, the person feels calm when they are completed and anxiety if they are not done

  4. Religion As A Collective Neurosis • The similarities between neurotic compulsions and religious rituals leads Freud to the conclusion that religious ritual behaviour is an example of obsessive compulsive behaviour • However, because they provide a shared or common neurosis they are accepted by society

  5. What A Collective Neurosis Does • Freud claims that religion protects us from developing individual neuroses which may not be accepted by society

  6. Guilt • Religion and neurosis can also be linked through repressed guilt • The obsessional neurotic normally has a sense of guilt that motivates their actions (Freud says is usually to do with some sort of sexual repression) • The religious believer also feels guilt if they have done something God would not approve of and it is usually at this time they carry out a religious ritual (e.g. prayer)

  7. Freud on Religion • So Freud sees religion as destructive and negative • It is something dangerous that society needs to be free from • It links back to an infantile state when we were weak and helpless and in need of protection and this is why as adults we create a father figure which we call God

  8. Freud Concept Map • Complete a concept map with Freud on Religion in the centre including all of the following words/phrases: • Id • Ego • Superego • Oedipus and the King • Oedipus Complex • Wish Fulfilment • Illusion • Totem and Taboo • Primal Horde • Malinowski • Darwin • Collective Neurosis • Neurotic Compulsions

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