종교경험과 신념체계 ; 프로이트의 종교와 환상 -『환상의 미래』(1927)를 중심으로-

Abstract

This paper examines Sigmund Freud(1856-l939)'s concept of an illusion and his idea of religion by analyzing his prominent work, The Future of an Illusion (1927). This work represents his critical study of religion, but it , should be noted that for him religion as an illusion was neither an err nor delusion. And his Jewish identity strengthened his criticisms on religion. Freud's negative view on religion came from his own experiences of anti-Semitism. reformed Judaism, and the Freemason's Jewish branch, B'nai B'rith. His nanny and father also played important roles in his degrading the value of religions. especially Christianity and Judaism in Europe. He defined an illusion as the belief of fulfilling one's wish. The problem of reality doesn't matter in the concept of an illusion. Regarding religion as "the universal obsessional neurosis," Freud argued that the stage of religion would be followed by the stage of science. He emphasized the importance of reason and experience rather than that of religion. According to Freud, religion has overlooked the possibility of improvement and development in human civilizations by limiting itself into the areas of invisible worlds and eternal life. In conclusion, the author argues that Freud criticized the particular form of Christianity in Europe. not all form s of religions in the world. As a Jew. Freud seems to have used psychoanalysis as a scientific tool to debunk the myth of Western Christianity. which was partly responsible of expanding European colonies in the non-Western world and of persecuting Jews in Europe.