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'''The [[Future ]] of an [[Illusion]]''' (written [[1927]]) by [[Sigmund Freud]] is a book that describes his [[interpretation ]] of [[religion]]'s origins, [[development]], [[psychoanalysis]], and its future.

[[Freud ]] describes religion as an illusion, wishes that are the "fulfillments of the oldest, strongest, and most urgent wishes of mankind" (Ch. 6 pg. 30). To differentiate between an illusion and an error, he lists [[scientific ]] beliefs such as "''[[Aristotle]]'s [[belief ]] that vermin are developed out of dung''" as errors, but "''the assertion made by certain nationalists that the [[Indo-Europeans|Indo-Germanic]] [[race ]] is the only one capable of civilization''" is an illusion, simply because of the wishing involved. Put forth more explicitly, "''what is characteristic of illusions is that they are derived from [[human ]] wishes''." (pg. 31) He adds, however, that, "Illusions [[need ]] not necessarily be [[false]]." (p.39) He gives the example of a middle-[[class ]] [[girl ]] having the illusion that a prince will marry her. While this is unlikely, it is not [[impossible]]. The fact that it is grounded in her wishes is what makes it an illusion.

At first, Freud begins by explaining religion in a similar term to that of [[totemism]]. The [[individual ]] is essentially an [[enemy ]] of [[society ]] and has [[instinctual ]] urges that must be restrained to [[help ]] society function. "Among these instinctual wishes are those of [[incest]], cannibalism, and lust for killing." (pg. 10) His view of [[human nature]] is that it is anti-[[social]], rebellious, and has high [[sexual ]] and destructive tendencies. The destructive [[nature ]] of [[humans ]] sets a pre-inclination for disaster when humans must interact with [[others ]] in society. "''For masses are lazy and unintelligent; they have no [[love ]] for instinctual [[renunciation]], and they are not to be convinced by argument of its inevitability; and the individuals composing [[them ]] support one [[another ]] in giving free rein to their indiscipline''." (pg. 7) So destructive is human nature, he claims, that "''it is only through the influence of individuals who can set an example and whom masses recognize as their leaders that they can be induced to perform the [[work ]] and undergo the renunciations on which the [[existence ]] of [[civilization]] depends''." (pg. 8) All this sets a terribly hostile society that could implode if it were not for civilizing forces and developing [[government]].

He elaborates further on the development of religion, as the emphasis on acquisition of wealth and the [[satisfaction ]] of instinctual [[drives ]] (sex, wealth, glory, [[happiness]], immortality) moves from "the [[material ]] to the [[mental]]." As [[compensation ]] for [[good ]] behaviors, religion promises a reward.

Religion is an outshoot of the [[father-complex]], and represents man's [[helplessness ]] in the [[world]], having to face the ultimate fate of [[death]], the [[struggle ]] of civilization, and the forces of nature. He views God as a [[child]]-like "longing for [a] [[father]]." (pg. 18) In his [[words ]] "The gods retain the threefold task: they must exorcize the terrors of nature, they must reconcile men to the cruetly of Fate, particularly as it is shown in death, and they must compensate them for the sufferings and privations which a [[civilized ]] [[life ]] in common has imposed on them." (pg. 18)