Spirituality and Religion: Psychoanalytic Perspectives

The Psychoanalytic study of religion is flourishing as never before. in this volume of original essays, many of the best minds in the field demonstrate how psychoanalytic perspectives can deeply illuminate the workings of religion and spirituality. Highlights include; Wendy Doniger on mythological stories of magic rings; Leon Wurmser on psychoanalysis and Jewish mysticism; Mortimer Ostow provides a psychological analysis of the functioning of spirituality; William B. Parsons on how the development of contemorary spirituality provides an alternative for many who are dissatisfied with organized religion; Martin S. Bergmann on sacrifice and martyrdom as themes in religion from ancient judaism to present day Islam; Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi on rebirth experiences; Janet Sayers on the oceanic experience; Slavoj Zizek offers a unique psychoanalytic and philosophical perspective on anxiety, dread, and freedom.