Secularism

Question 1

Freud quote on religion relating to childhood

Answer 1

“Religion is comparable to childhood neurosis”

Question 2

Freud quote acknowledging how religion helps deal with helplessness and suffering in life

Answer 2

“In the end all good is rewarded and all evil punished”

Question 3

Freud quote on the dangers of religion

Answer 3

“Civilisation…has set up an agency within him to watch over it…like a conquered city”

Question 4

Freud quote on longing for a father figure

Answer 4

“From the infant’s helplessness and longing for the father aroused by it”

Question 5

Dawkin’s quote on religion

Answer 5

“It teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world”

Question 6

Bretherton on secularism

Answer 6

“The reality of multi cultural, multi with London in full bloom”

Question 7

Berger’s retraction of the secularisation theory

Answer 7

“Secularisation on the societal level is not linked to that of the level of individual consciousness”

Just because less people are going to church doesn’t mean they don’t believe in God or divinity.

Question 8

Ford and Casanova’s criticism of secular atheism

Answer 8

Atheist ideologies, such as fascism, communism and capitalism have sought to write out religion from civilisation.

Question 9

Berger - we cannot say that the UK is becoming less religious

Answer 9

The world is as religious as it once was - a secular state isn’t atheistic but can be filled with believing people.

Question 10

Ford - we cannot say that the UK is becoming less religious

Answer 10

We need to stop thinking about the development of the world as linear eg starting with religion and ending with atheism.

We do not know what will happen “The unpredictability of drama”.

Question 11

Freud’s reasons for religion

Answer 11

Craving - need answers to questions which can’t be answered empirically.

Worth - it expands an individual’s knowledge

Historical -Religious beliefs are often passed down by ancestors

Question 12

Freud quote on religion being an illusion

Answer 12

“Religions are illusions. Fulfillments of the oldest and strongest wishes of mankind”

Question 13

What does Freud believe that religion fulfils

Answer 13

A belief in the afterlife

A father figure

Desire for fairness and justice

Question 14

Example of religion positively influencing society

Answer 14

The 12 Step Programme, which helps addicts overcome their addiction.

This programme is rooted in the idea of a higher being.

Question 15

Freud’s acknowledgement of religion being a positive influence

Answer 15

It is an effective means for overcoming human fears, it also provides comfort and meaning against the experience of “the terrors of nature”

Question 16

Freud’s conclusion on religion

Answer 16

Although it might do some good, in order for society to grow up and develop rationally then it should ne abolished.

Question 17

How does Marxism relate to Freud

Answer 17

Marx states that religion is used to press and ,manipulate the poor - through the comfort that if they are poor but behave in a way deserving of heaven then they will have a better afterlife.

Question 18

Ward’s criticism of Freud

Answer 18

Rejects Freud’s reductionist stance (explaining everything in mechanical/material terms) it is hardly an adequate explanation of religious experiences millions of people have.

Question 19

Ward quote

Answer 19

“The reduction of all this blind purposeless blunderings…seems inadequate and superficial”