Fromm on religion

Fromm’s quote "Man’s main task in life is to give birth to himself, to become what he potentially is” (Fromm, 2004) is quite interesting as it explains how people’s personality influences their lives. Most of the actions that people engage in and the decisions they make are influenced by their personalities. People should therefore align their interests with things they are passionate about in order to build strong personal identities.

 

What are the core teachings that Fromm believes are part of the thinking of the founders of most of the world′s religions? 

            According to Fromm most of the world’s religions viewed religion as a tool to assert control over the people and retain power. The notion was attributed to the discipline and structure associated with the church authority and the control it had over its followers (Fromm, 2004). Religious teachings helped people to gain more control over their lives by protecting them from feelings of powerlessness. Founders therefore sought to use religion not just to spread god’s word, but also to bring stability and purpose in society. According to Fromm, religion was used as a tool to give people a sense of unity and satisfied their need to belong.

 

How does Fromm interpret the myth of the Garden of Eden?

            Fromm believed that the story of the Garden of Eden was used symbolically to explain how man lost touch with nature. After eating the fruit, Adam and eve became conscious of the things that were taking place around them and this destroyed the unity that human beings had with nature (Fromm, 2004). In an unselfconscious animal state, human beings were in touch with nature and at peace.  The experience at the Garden of Eden however mad them conscious of things like their nakedness and other limitations that took away the peace.

 

Fromm interpret the principle of ″Love thy neighbor as thyself″?

            Fromm interpretation is greatly influenced by his belief that human beings seek unity, to be one with each other and with society. Loving one’s neighbor, according to Fromm is a way for human beings to become one with one another and in so doing, regain the harmonious state they had with the universe (Fromm, 2004). From further believed that vices in society such as anxiety ad feelings of loneliness are as a result of being separated from each other and from nature. Loving thy neighbor as thy self would therefore create a unity that would restore human beings to a harmonious state free from such vices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Fromm E, (2004) “The dogma of Christ: and other essays on religion, psychology and culture”    Rutledge Classics