The challenge of secularisation

FREUD

• Psychologist
• Religion = 'mass destruction' and infatile
• Product of wish fullfillment 
• Vunderability as a child = ok, as an adult = they can'tcope so they invent a God 
• Christians wish there was a purpose in life and absolute morals = so they transfer these wishes to beliefs
• Religion represses desires = sexual violence, theft and murder
• It is unhealthy and causes war and conflict

STRENGTHS

• Could be right religion appeals to the vunerable
• Evidence that people think God = 'super human' (example = feminsts argue men have given God male characteristics)
• Many religious believers = strong & corageous in standing up for their beliefs
• Demands of a christian life = difficult rather than comfortable (Bonhoeffer costly grace)

DAWKINS 

• Scientist who criticises religion
• Book = 'The God Delusion (2006) = Godis damaging for society & intellectual progress
• Human life = meaningful without religion
• Religion is responsible for war & conflict in modern world and history
• It discourages sicientific enquiry by allowing a lazy mindset that claims its a 'divine mystery'
• Bringing children up within religion = pyschological abuse as they do not undertand (abuse by christian priests & nuns)
• It is repressive, singles out religious dress codes as an example of the repression for women (burqa)

STRENGTHS

• Some Christians = see religion/science as opposite & oppose theory of evolution in schools
• Some acts of war & terrorism = because of religious disagreements
• Can be repressive for women (feminists)

CRITICISMS

• Keeping children…