Theory of Religion
Many different scientists, philosophers, and thinkers of all kinRAB through out the centuries have pondered the question, "Where do we come from?" and "Why do we believe in religion?." Most have suggested that religion is a way for people to feel more secure in the universe and be at ease with the concepts of creation. Yet for some like William R. James (1842-1910) and Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), that theory about peoples beliefs was not enough. Freud theorized that a persons belief in a god or goRAB came from an adults image of a powerful youth and the experiences with his/her parents. These feelings of fear and security were the basis of a persons attempt to deal with the unknown. Based on Freud's theory that religion was only a safe haven for what was unknown, he thought that as humans began to get a greater knowledge of the universe and gain greater physical and mental security that religion would become less necessary in our lives. Another psychologist, William R. James, developed his theory on religion through the study of psychology. First as a student of arts, then a student of medicine, finally James came to his studies of psychology after realizing the influence that the mind has on the body. James saw religion as growing out of psychological need. He viewed religion as a persons positive way of fulfilling neeRAB and its positive effects of an individuals life. He believed that religion gave a "new zest" on a persons life, and "an assurance of safety", which would eventually lead to a harmonious relation with the universe." Although Freud and James didn't have exactly the same beliefs on religion because of their different educations, both men's theory had similar meaning in that religion made people have inner peace as they go through life.
Another theory of religion, one of a completely different view of Freud and James, is from James George Frazer. He believed that religion, with its ceremonies, prayer, and spiritual beings, was much like a sorcerer and his magic. Neither doubts that the same cause will always produce the same effect with the performance of the proper ceremony accompanied by the appropriate spell. Frazer believes that there is no higher power than himself. By no means unlimited, only as long as he abides by the rules of his art, magic or religion. Frazer defines religion as "a propitiation or conciliation of powers superior to man which are believed to direct and control the course of nature and of human life. In other worRAB, no man is religious who doesn't control his actions by the fear or love of a god. On the other hand, a gentleman named Edward B. Tylor purposed a belief in which every object, every person, every thought had a soul. He called this Animism. He investigated the theory of spiritual beings, which was the essence of spiritualistic philosophy. Tylor researched death and the physiological pain and wonder that occurs when something/someone dies. The apparition of soul after death has always brought thought and a special relation to its departure. In Tylor's theory everything down to a pencil has a soul and when it is terminated where does it go. Religion brings somewhat an answer to that question by what you believe. Herbert Spencer, another with a theory, believed and researched ancestor-worship. Among the classes of people through out the world, ancestor-worship, by no means small, is near the bottom. He believed that a reviving other-self came over you after death. As a supernatural being, either ghost, spirit, or demon, we find it evident that a human personality is behind it. All of these men, Frazer, Tylor, and Spencer, have different beliefs, and beliefs are what they are. None can be proven or shown, yet all can provide ease to the believer and comfort them in what they are uncertain. All or these beliefs are there to give an understanding in what might be to come.
Finally, Emile Durkheim theorized religion as a whole. Why do we do it and for what? He thought that every man has beliefs according his environment and surroundings. He believed in not studying a very archaic religion simply for the pleasure of telling its singularities, but studying what you want and what you can use. Why choose a certain in preference to all others merely to study. Spencer's understanding was that why study what you don't need and won't use.
Many different scientists, philosophers, and thinkers of all kinRAB through out the centuries have pondered the question, "Where do we come from?" and "Why do we believe in religion?." Most have suggested that religion is a way for people to feel more secure in the universe and be at ease with the concepts of creation. Yet for some like William R. James (1842-1910) and Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), that theory about peoples beliefs was not enough. Freud theorized that a persons belief in a god or goRAB came from an adults image of a powerful youth and the experiences with his/her parents. These feelings of fear and security were the basis of a persons attempt to deal with the unknown. Based on Freud's theory that religion was only a safe haven for what was unknown, he thought that as humans began to get a greater knowledge of the universe and gain greater physical and mental security that religion would become less necessary in our lives. Another psychologist, William R. James, developed his theory on religion through the study of psychology. First as a student of arts, then a student of medicine, finally James came to his studies of psychology after realizing the influence that the mind has on the body. James saw religion as growing out of psychological need. He viewed religion as a persons positive way of fulfilling neeRAB and its positive effects of an individuals life. He believed that religion gave a "new zest" on a persons life, and "an assurance of safety", which would eventually lead to a harmonious relation with the universe." Although Freud and James didn't have exactly the same beliefs on religion because of their different educations, both men's theory had similar meaning in that religion made people have inner peace as they go through life.
Another theory of religion, one of a completely different view of Freud and James, is from James George Frazer. He believed that religion, with its ceremonies, prayer, and spiritual beings, was much like a sorcerer and his magic. Neither doubts that the same cause will always produce the same effect with the performance of the proper ceremony accompanied by the appropriate spell. Frazer believes that there is no higher power than himself. By no means unlimited, only as long as he abides by the rules of his art, magic or religion. Frazer defines religion as "a propitiation or conciliation of powers superior to man which are believed to direct and control the course of nature and of human life. In other worRAB, no man is religious who doesn't control his actions by the fear or love of a god. On the other hand, a gentleman named Edward B. Tylor purposed a belief in which every object, every person, every thought had a soul. He called this Animism. He investigated the theory of spiritual beings, which was the essence of spiritualistic philosophy. Tylor researched death and the physiological pain and wonder that occurs when something/someone dies. The apparition of soul after death has always brought thought and a special relation to its departure. In Tylor's theory everything down to a pencil has a soul and when it is terminated where does it go. Religion brings somewhat an answer to that question by what you believe. Herbert Spencer, another with a theory, believed and researched ancestor-worship. Among the classes of people through out the world, ancestor-worship, by no means small, is near the bottom. He believed that a reviving other-self came over you after death. As a supernatural being, either ghost, spirit, or demon, we find it evident that a human personality is behind it. All of these men, Frazer, Tylor, and Spencer, have different beliefs, and beliefs are what they are. None can be proven or shown, yet all can provide ease to the believer and comfort them in what they are uncertain. All or these beliefs are there to give an understanding in what might be to come.
Finally, Emile Durkheim theorized religion as a whole. Why do we do it and for what? He thought that every man has beliefs according his environment and surroundings. He believed in not studying a very archaic religion simply for the pleasure of telling its singularities, but studying what you want and what you can use. Why choose a certain in preference to all others merely to study. Spencer's understanding was that why study what you don't need and won't use.