Abstract

There is still a widespread view that psychoanalysis is critical of religion, indeed, is a form of criticism of religion. This is a problem not least in relation to the treatment of patients who profess belief in a religion. In the present essay, a proposal is made as to how psychoanalysis can be linked to an understanding of religion that regards religion as a universal phenomenon. In doing so, it draws on the one hand on considerations of the French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan, and on the other hand on considerations of the German social psychologist Ulrich Oevermann. The different approach to dealing with religious patients, which becomes possible on the basis of this understanding, can be seen as a further step in the professionalization of psychoanalysis.

Keywords:Psychoanalysis; Religion; Professionalization; Jacques lacan; Ulrich oevermann