In the different dimensions of life, being afraid is a form of weakness, especially among the male gender, since females are assumed to be emotional in most circumstances. However, there are arguments about this topic, among which science, religion, and theology expound differently but agree in other areas. In addition, several authors and scholars agree with the case giving their opinions and views on the matter, thus making the topic a broad scope of discussion. According to theology and religion, several factors, such as civilization and religion, give a clear explanation and understanding of the question of what makes humans afraid, which is essential in ensuring individuals get answers to such questions and situations similar to the topic of discussion to make it more relevant and relatable.
To begin with, individuals have been subjected to a certain kind of civilization and rules they are expected to follow without making any adjustments. Failure to adhere to this form of civilization results in consequences to ensure individuals follow the guidelines (Freud 6). This generates fear among individuals since the judgment limits individuals from digging deep into the past. According to the author, almost all individuals view civilization as an enemy. However, it should form a basis of human interest in the universe. To add, it is an excellent point of concern since humans are destroyed quickly; however, through the invention of science, it has been made possible for them to be rebuilt. , individuals have limitations when it comes to their capacity for subject matters such as education which has made it possible for them to have effectiveness regarding their culture (Freud 9). They are then forced to focus on the present without considering how different situations may be for individuals, which brings about curiosity that later generates fear. On the other hand, the religious aspect of non-homogeneity brings about the aspect of fear due to the differences in the vicinity, which is termed as sacred. According to the author, religious individuals have based their decisions on the profane idea that it is impossible to be successful in life when religion is done away with (Eliade 20). In this scenario, an individual is made to believe and respect such precedes to avoid consequences that may result from going against the set beliefs of religion.
Secondly, the author argues that to him, religion is an illusion in the sense that there has not been any proof that explains what is regarded to be more critical in civilization (Freud 14). Illusion is a misinterpretation of a particular view or perception of something. Therefore, according to the author, religion has remained an illusion since physical proofs supporting civilization’s inventory cannot be tracked. They only seem to be reasonable in their religious ideas, which otherwise can be justified in their illusion form. On the other hand, individuals have been seen to encounter revelations of physical places termed to be sacred by them. In this sense, individuals are expected to exist in an atmosphere surrounding sacredness; however, proofs must be accompanied by these beliefs to justify the belief (Eliade 28). Power and life have been expounded to support the illusion of sacredness since religious individuals are urged to exist in places termed sacred. A religious individual is then expected to apply this in reality by allowing them to be subjective by the experiences they encounter to exist in the real world and not just an illusion.
Thirdly, the author presents his arguments that prove that religion is doubtful, citing that if close attention is paid to the origin of ideas in religion. Through teachings that give these ideas on religion, the proof is not given to support them, making it more arguable that they are just illusions established to ferment the wishes of religious individuals. An example is when a situation is not dealt with in childhood, resulting in helplessness (Freud 30). This situation would have been enhanced through protection from a father; however, if the protection is not offered, the helplessness might last throughout their lives. In most cases, illusions come about due to wishes among individuals. In addition, other individuals might classify the illusion from their belief to their delusion, which will depend on their attitude towards something (Freud 31). Civilizations remain at significant risk if religion is not done away with. On the other hand, the writer broadly explains why chaos is seen as the most significant opposition to peaceful coexistence among individuals. The world is a sacred place since the sacredness is a revelation of reality that automatically generates orientation (Eliade 30). He explains why it is essential for a territory to be consecrated, which brings about the aspect of sacredness that rules out the aspect of chaos. He argues that humans cannot live in chaos (Eliade 34). As a result, gods are there to bring the universe to its order through their works.
The fourth argument that constitutes why individuals develop fear is that science is not an illusion since, if it were, there would be assumptions that the failures of science can be generated from elsewhere. The differences in instincts are considered frustrations that establish prohibition, resulting in fear among individuals (Freud 35). These instincts, termed privatizations by other individuals, also affect groups and classes, bringing about the aspect of civilization employed in the past. Such privatizations have been proven to bring about hostility among individuals for the aspect of civilization, generating fear among individuals. Additionally, all individuals’ instincts are usually suppressed within, resulting in generations being raised without addressing these frustrations, thus, the generation of fear among individuals (Freud 53). In contrast, the aspect of profane and sacred spaces illuminates the issue of fear among individuals. Regarding the issue of profane space, values enhance non-homogeneity, which is significantly associated with the aspect of space in religion (Eliade 28). An example of such a place is an individual’s birthplace, which remains significant to them. This is not exceptional for non-religious since such places generate certain emotions, inclusively resulting in a generation of fear. The space remains sacred to them due to the significant impact it has brought them.
In conclusion, civilization and religion significantly affect how individuals generate fear. Concerning different opinions and explanations given by the authors, fear is generated from different situations and aspects of life individuals find themselves in. Therefore, this is an excellent topic of discussion that educates individuals and gives insights into better understanding while faced with various challenges.
Work Cited
Eliade, Mircea. The sacred and the profane: The nature of religion. Vol. 81. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1959.
Freud, Sigmund. The future of an illusion. Broadview Press, 2012.
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