Understanding Religion through the Psychology of Art

Abstract

The psychological processes involved in religious activities can be found in other human activities. Art is one example of human activity in which processes similar to those operating in religion are involved. Through looking at the psychology of art, we may gain useful insights into the psychology of religion. Religion has inspired art much more naturally and easily, and with better results, than any secular ideology, which may serve as another indication of their affinity. We do not deal here with the effect of religion on art as a source of inspiration; it is dealt with extensively in the history of art. The psychology of art assumes a certain unity of basic processes, which are involved in all forms of art. We suggest that the same processes are involved in religion: the process of artistic creation can be a model for understanding the process of religious creation. The individual (and group) reactions to religion can best be interpreted by looking at individual reactions to art. Both art and religion are based on human imagination, and emotional involvement (or emotional ‘arousal’). These are the necessary conditions for the existence of both. The psychological processes involved in responding to religion on the part of the audience are similar to the process of responding to art. They include the activation of the imagination and the emotions, and an identification with elements of the artifact presented to the audience. The artistic product creates in the individual member of the audience reverberations, which go deep into the unconscious.