Other
Religious Maturity
Mihalj Szentmàrtoni
orcid.org/0009-0008-2947-0053
; Papinsko učilište Gregorijana u Rimu, Rim, Italija
Abstract
The author analyses two aspects of religious maturity: the various functions of a religious attitude in the life of a person, and the predominance of the superego over conscience.
Just as other attitudes can serve different goals, so also a religious attitude can be used at different levels for different purposes. A utilitarian function, an ego-defence function, a knowledge function and a value—expressive function are discussed separately. Special emphasis is put on the ego—defence function. A Utopian and a ghetto—mentality are recognized as inferior forms of a religious attitude, both are used as escapes from the harsh realities of the world. Prose-litism and blind orthodoxy are identified as religious attitudes in service of resolving inner personal problems such as lack of identity and anxiety. A religious attitude can be called mature, if it serves a value—expressive function.
The author finds two basic consequences of the predominance of superego over conscience: distorsion of the notion of God and blindness to genuine values. In a superego dominated religion God appears as a judge and a punisher: the person projects the characteristics of his superego. He is also blind to genuine values, because he is preoccupied with himself.
Summarizing the findings of Aliport, Bertocci, Dittes, Allen and Spilka and Milanesi, the author delineates four characteristics of a mature religious attitude: complexity, autonomy, dynamism and comprehensiveness.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
55745
URI
Publication date:
21.8.1978.
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