In this highly acclaimed book, one of the most prominent theologians in the world offers a theological and psychoanalytic assessment of Freud’s atheism and of its implications for current psychoanalytic practice. In the original section of the book, now entitled "God--An Infantile Illusion?,” Hans K�ng traces Freud’s views on religion and religious longing, compares Jung’s and Adler’s attitudes toward religion, shows that Freud’s arguments against the existence of God are theologically unsound, and concludes with a frank and provocative discussion of what psychoanalysis may be able to teach the Christian Church. In a new section, "Religion--The Final Taboo?,” K�ng points out that religions still plays a negligible role in the practice of psychoanalysis, despite its increasing importance in the lives of most people. Has religion replaced sex, K�ng asks, as an integral facet of human experience ignored or repressed by the very profession that seeks to enlighten? Reviews of the first edition: "This should stand as one of Dr. K�ng’s finest works.”--Edmund Fuller, Wall Street Journal "A balanced, thorough, and very readable discussion of Freud’s critique of religion... A model of the clarity, honesty, and fairness we can always expect to find in K�ng’s writings.” -John F. Haught, America "An honest, sympathetic pro-and-con assessment of specific elements of Freud’s critique by a well-known German Catholic theologian, easily accessible to the interested layperson and valuable for both theologians and psychologists.”--Library Journal "K�ng carefully, sympathetically investigates Freud’s interpretations of religion, both within his clinical theories and personal history.” -Lisa Mitchell, Los Angeles Times

Compares and contrasts the beliefs of two famous thinkers, Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis, on topics ranging from the existence of God and morality to pain and suffering.

In this study, the author reviews and reorganizes data about Freud's development and life circumstances to provide a psychodynamic interpretation of his rejection of God. She contends that Freud's early life made it impossible for him to believe in a provident and caring divine being.

While psychiatry is not much interested in existential pain, and Christian theologians are not concerned with disorders of the brain, Dan Blazer thinks they should be. "Freud vs. God" aims to rekindle the debate between the soul and the mind, between Christianity and psychiatry. This important and provocative book is a "must" read for all psychiatrists, theologians, pastors, counselors, and interested laypersons.

(Dover thrift editions).

Argues that Freud was an atheist and that atheism was an important prerequisite for his development of psychoanalysis

Freud argued that religions originate in the unconscious needs, longings and fantasies of human minds. His work has served to highlight how any analysis of religion must explore mental life, both the cognitive and the unconscious. 'Freud on Religion' examines Freud's complex understanding of religious belief and practice. The book brings together contemporary psychoanalytic theory and case material from Freud's clinical practice to illustrate how the operations of the unconscious mind support various forms of religious belief, from mainstream to occult. 'Freud on Religion' offers a new way of understanding Freud's thinking and demonstrates how valuable psychoanalysis is for the study of religion.

Examines questions in regards to the world's origin, how it functions, and why; and features logical arguments that are supported by physics and theology; and also discusses the relationship between science and religion.