Atheism i) Explain two critiques of religious belief (18 marks) Atheism is the belief in the non-existence of God. Weak atheists believe there is no proof of a God. While strong atheists say religious belief is actually bad and dangerous, these are also known as anti-theists. Francis Collins states, “Of all choices atheism requires the greatest faith, as it demands that one’s limited store of human knowledge is sufficient to exclude the possibility of God.” Psychologists put forward many critiques of religion and believe God is all in the mind, while sociologists believe society as a whole has come together and created religion. Psychologist Sigmund Freud wrote a book called, “The Future of an Illusion” in 1927 in which he stated that there are three major criticisms of religion. Firstly, Freud believes religion is just a way to avoid inner conflict believing God is a creation of the human mind. He linked this to the Oedipus complex a belief that we …show more content…
He believes religion is bad and is just illusion. He says religion takes our highest ideas and turns them into thinking there is an alien like species who is un-equal to us, who we could God. Marx has 3 reasons why he is against religion. Firstly, Religion is irrational and avoids the issue of exploitation. Second, Religion makes humans a subservient workforce therefore more likely to accept the status quote and thirdly, religion is hypocritical for example Jesus supported helping the poor yet the Christian Church joined the Roman Catholic Church therefore taking part in slavery. Marx’s negativity of Religion is displayed throughout his work, “I hate all Gods” Marx said, “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world...it is the opium of the people” meaning religion is addictive like a drug and not sustainable; it fools you of real