English Literature Science and Religion Term Paper

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This theory essentially states that myths are designed in order to tell a story, or to explain how, through supernatural means, a particular event took place (Eliade, 1998). Using this definition from Eliade himself, it is much easier to discuss the importance of religious ritual and its tie to myths. Because myths perform the task of explaining what may have only been explainable through sheer faith without myths in place, religions are able to build a somewhat solid foundation for the members of that religion. However, no myth could be expected to merely stand on its own within a religion without some symbolic importance of the myth being demonstrated- this is where the element of religious ritual comes into play. The ritual makes it possible for a logical connection between myth and reality to occur in the mind of a faithful individual. As a quick example, for those of the Jewish faith, the lighting of the Menorah during certain expressions of faith is a concrete way to impress upon the faithful that the myth of the lamps that were lit as a means of survival in the classic Hebrew texts is something that is worthy of remembering in the present day. Lastly, the performance of religious ritual, it can logically be argued, is critically important in the modern day of technology, when people are typically jaded to the point where believing that most things that are seen or heard are more likely to be artificially generated by a computer than to be representative of something real. Therefore, the religious ritual provides a sense of reality to the myth itself.

5.What is one key theme of Sigmund Freud in regards to religious belief?

In order to fairly evaluate the themes of Freud in regard to religious belief, it is important to first acknowledge that Freud-based much of his theories on the discipline of psychology rather than theology.

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This being understood, a key theme of Freud's in regard to religious belief cuts right to the heart of modern monotheism- the idea of God as an idealized father figure rather than a strictly divine force that is out of the reach of the average person to comprehend (Eliade, 1998). This belief puts into play several possible interpretations of modern theology, which may border on sacrilege in the minds of some, but are worthy of presentation and consideration as theories nonetheless. First, if Freud' theme is correct, the devotion of the human being to God can in some instances be questioned. Putting aside those whose religious convictions are beyond reproach, it is entirely possible that some people's devotion to God is not based on any religious belief system or desire to live a good and moral life, but rather in a quest to gain acceptance in a world that perhaps may have not treated them well or accepted them before they embraced religion. This also brings up the idea of a sense of community; it is believed by some that the sense of community is a fundamental human need. Therefore, the turn of some people to religion and devotion to God may in fact be an extension of their deep rooted desire to belong to some sort of a community.

However one chooses to flavor Freud's theories, one point is all but indisputable- he has inspired a great deal of philosophical and theological debate, even now, literally decades after his own departure from the physical world that he tried so hard to interpret......

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