God, religion and fundamentalism: an unholy trinity
http://theconversation.com/god-religion-and-fundamentalism-an-unholy-trinity-42326
July 2, 2015 4.15pm EDT
Dianna Theadora Kenny
Professor of Psychology and Music at University of Sydney
Religions can promote division and inequality in our societies. Reuters/Akhtar Soomro
There are many arguments for the existence of God Anselms ontological argument, the cosmological argument, the teleological argument, the moral argument and the immediate experience of God argument. But if you dont already believe, these arguments wont convince you. They are post-hoc constructions to shore up existing beliefs.
The counter-arguments say that religion is a bad but entrenched idea. Religions peddle ugly doctrines that have ugly consequences. These so-called holy books variously demand the execution of witches, support slavery, endorse mass killing of infidels and heretics, waging of war, condemn homosexuality and denigrate women.
Religions promote division and inequality. They have in-groups (chosen people) and out-groups.
Enter Freud
The father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, said that religion is a collective neurosis shared by the masses to shore up civilisation. Religion has its roots in infantile helplessness and the longing for a strong father. Neurosis and religion have universal common roots in human nature and cognition.
more at link