Question

HARRIS/FREUD

How close to Freud's answer to the question of the peculiar power of religious faith is Harris' answer to that question?

Answer 1

Although Freud was an Atheist throughout his life, he contributed certain aspects of introspection to religion. His final book 'Moses and the Monothesis' carries evidence. He says that taking God into the mind enriches the individual immeasurably'. 'The prohibition against making an image of God in Judaism, Freud says is a triumph of intellectuality over sensuality and It's an advance in intellectuality which he credits to religion. He supports his view by further saying that someone who is able to contemplate on the unseen God is in a better position to find himself.

Moses and the Monothesis, tries to bring out the contribution that religions, especially Judaism and Christianity to psychoanalysis. Christianity's saints who represented God in a view that people wanted to see God with their own eyes so bringing in the picture of saints fulfilled that need and people stick to the religions.

Sam Harris on the other hand despises religion as something that is not necessary and that which brings terror and inequality in the world. He states that even the Holy books that were believed to be Written by God himself had undergone lots of change. He advocates a rational and scientific religion that would progress the human race. He strongly opposed the religions for holding back the scientific advancement.

Thank you for the question.

Please rate if you like it.