In Freud's The Future of an Illusion , the fundamental basis behind religion is the idea of God as a Father. This essay will attempt to compare the ideals behind Freud's argument with the fundamental relationships between fathers and children and God to humanity.
Freud states that As we already know, the terrifying impression of helplessness in childhood aroused the need for protection-for protection through love- which was provided by the father; and the recognition that this helplessness lasts throughout life made it necessary to cling to the existence of a father, but this time a more powerful one. I believe that children have a divine vision of a belief that is principle in religion, trust. I believe that it can be provided through the child's direct belief in their parent's abilities as human beings to keep everything level. I know that I never felt scared as a child when confronted with situations that might have been life devastating, due directly in part, to my pure trust in my father to deal with all and everything that might have came our way. There is a direct correlation between the unconditional love and trust of a father and the unconditional love and trust of a God. The notion of pure belief and trust in a higher is a prerequisite in most predominate religions of today. .
To oppose, this statement also implies that all children are in benefit of a good wholesome protecting father throughout their childhood. What if there never was a father figure? Would one stricken fatherless be less able and willing to trust in a, God as father, without the childhood experience in contrast to a child with the benefit of experiencing the emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual father as protector childhood? Freud states I think it would be a very long time before a child who was not influenced began to trouble himself about God and things in another world. Perhaps his thoughts on these matters would then take the same paths as they did with his forefathers.
