Starter quiz
- Which of these religious leaders do Christians believe was God on Earth in human form?
- Jesus ✓
- Moses
- Mohammad
- Nanak
- Siddhartha
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- Which of these terms most relate to religious beliefs about life after death?
- creation
- Heaven ✓
- Jannah ✓
- reincarnation ✓
- ritual
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- Which of the following is often referred to as the part of a person responsible for thoughts, memories and emotions?
- the body
- the heart
- the mind ✓
- the nerves
- the skeleton
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- What subject investigates the mind and human behaviours?
- 'psychology' ✓
- Which statement explains the term 'evidence' the most accurately?
- Evidence is an opinion that someone has on a matter.
- Evidence is a prediction that someone makes about the future.
- Evidence is a piece of information or a fact that supports a claim. ✓
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- What does the term 'omnipotent' mean?
- all-knowing
- all-loving
- all-powerful ✓
- everywhere
- never-ending
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Exit quiz
- What term means the inner sense of right or wrong that guides a person's decisions?
- 'conscience' ✓
- What does Freud say about the human conscience?
- that God gave humans consciences to behave well
- that humans have evolved a conscience to control their instincts ✓
- that humans don't have a conscience
- that having a conscience has helped human societies to progress ✓
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- What example did Freud give of what an 'illusion' is?
- a young girl who believes she will win a race
- a young boy who believes he will marry a princess
- a young girl who believes she will marry a prince ✓
- a young boy who believes he will climb a mountain
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- Which of these are examples of how religion can be wish fulfilment?
- the wish to control a scary world ✓
- the wish to control our human instincts ✓
- the wish for a well-paid job
- the wish for a fair afterlife ✓
- the wish for a better house
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- Which of the following might a religious person say is evidence supporting their beliefs?
- a chance coincidence
- a religious experience ✓
- the design of the universe ✓
- the opinions of other people
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- Which of the following arguments could be used to challenge Freud's view that religions always involve a 'father figure'?
- In Islam, Allah is neither male or female. ✓
- In Christianity, God is often seen as God the Father.
- In many Pagan religions, the higher power is Mother Earth. ✓
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Sigmund Freud was an influential psychologist who had theories on the origin of religion.
- Freud stated that religion is an illusion, something people desperately want to be true.
- Freud stated that religion is a form of wish fulfillment helping people to cope with life.
- Freud's theories on religion have been widely criticised.
Common misconception
That psychologists today accept all of Freud's ideas on religion.
Whilst influential, many of Freud's theories on the id and religion have been discredited.
Keywords
Afterlife - the belief that there is some continued existence for those who have physically died
Conscience - the inner sense of right and wrong that guides a person's decisions
Illusion - something a person believes to be true so strongly that it doesn't matter whether it is or not
Instincts - basic human impulses and desires everyone is born with, such as to eat
Wish fulfillment - deep human needs and desires which religion can satisfy
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