“Religion is an illusion and it derives its strength from the fact that it falls in with our instinctual desires.”
- May 6, 1856 – September 23, 1939
- Austrian
- Neurologist, Founder of Psychoanalysis
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Quote
“Religion is an illusion and it derives its strength from the fact that it falls in with our instinctual desires.”
Explanation
In this bold assertion, Freud characterizes religion as a psychological construct—not a deliberate deception, but an illusion driven by unconscious wishes. He argues that religion draws its power not from evidence or reason, but from its ability to satisfy deep, instinctual human needs: the desire for protection, justice, and meaning in the face of suffering, fear, and uncertainty. Because it resonates with these primal emotional longings, religion maintains a powerful grip on individuals and cultures.
Freud elaborated on this view in The Future of an Illusion (1927), where he described religious belief as a form of wish fulfillment. Much like a child looks to a parent for safety and guidance, adults turn to a divine figure for comfort, moral order, and the promise of life beyond death. To Freud, this dynamic reflects a regression to infantile dependency, with religion serving as a collective defense mechanism against the harshness of reality and the inevitability of mortality.
In modern terms, Freud’s critique remains central to debates on faith, secularism, and the psychology of belief. While many scholars and believers reject the reduction of religion to mere illusion, Freud’s analysis invites reflection on why certain beliefs endure, especially in times of crisis or despair. His view challenges us to consider whether belief systems are truths to be accepted, or comforts we cling to, and what this distinction means for personal growth and societal progress.
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