The psychology of religion deals with understanding
the psychological processes and explanations of an individual's
religious action, thoughts, and beliefs. Many theories exist,
and the following appears only as a small sample of early
psychology.Pragmatism
William James' hypothesis of pragmatism stems from the efficacy
of religion. If an individual believes in and performs religious
activities, and those actions happen to work, then that practice
appears the proper choice for the individual. However, if the
processes of religion have little efficacy, then there is no
rationale for continuing the practice. In short, if it works, do it,
if it doesn't, don't.
Suspension of rationality
According to
Rudolph Otto, religion appears as a non-rational response to the
holy, numinous, or divine power. Otto asserts in
Latin,
"mysterium tremendum atque fasinans", the mystery that
causes trembling and facination, attempting to explain that
inexpressible and perhaps supernatural emotional reaction of wonder
drawing us to seemingly ordinary and/or religious experiences of
grace. This sense of emotional wonder appears evident at the root of
all religious experiences. Through this emotional wonder, we suspend
our rational mind for non-rational possibilites.
Oedipus complex
Protective redemption
Carl Jung suggests that religion exists because of a tendency to
regression of unsatisfying
sexual
experiences. In essence, we feel inadequate and strive for religion
and/or God
as a protective redemption.
Projections
No supernatural deities exist, according to
Ludwig Feuerbach. The alleged deities arise from our fears and
desires people have of fearsome aspects of
nature.
For example,
lightning,
fire,
flood,
and other
catastrophes appear attributed to a the effective intranquality
between humans and a their higher deity, or perhaps between a
conflict between higher deities. In essence, deities appear created
by humans.
Stablity frame of reference
According to
Eric Frohmm humans have a need for a stable frame of reference.
Religion apparently fills this need. In effect, humans crave answers
to questions that no other source of knowledge has an answer to,
which only religion may seem to answer. However, a sense of
free will must be given in order for religion to appear healthy.
An
authoritarian notion of religion appears detrimental.
