Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis of religion's effects on civilization is the culmination of a lifelong thought pattern. He portrays religion as a set of false beliefs based on human desires. According to Freud, religion manifests as a God-like father figure to a helpless child, whose survival is dependent on delusional beliefs for independence, security, and incentives for good behavior. In this illuminating book, Freud declares that religion and science are mortal enemies. He proclaims that ...