Psychoanalysis and Protestant fundamentalism do not mix

Psychoanalysis does not claim a chair at the university. That does not mean it is not a subject of research. Not by chance, Brazilian philosophy of psychoanalysis is heard in many parts of the world. Right now, at a seminar on public theology at the University of Edinburgh.

But what does public theology have to do with psychoanalysis? Well, that is a story that can be told in many ways. First, one would need to define what public theology is, or even a democratic theology. Basically, we have to look at the political use of religion.

Without unnecessary scruples, let us be direct right away. The Brazilian case that is highlighted in Scotland concerns the evangelical uprising in defense of Bolsonaro. We understand that religion, far from having been replaced by a primacy of reason, as Freud wanted, is an inextinguishable part.

It happens that two things, let us say, conflicting, originate more or less in the same period after the First World War. One is the psychedelic version of Protestant Christianity, whose followers believe the world will end after a “rapture.” And the other is psychoanalysis.

These two worldviews are proposed solutions to the problem of death. Both are motivated by the same thing, the fear of death, although they arrive at totally different, and, let us repeat, conflicting, conclusions.

For an evangelical of that stripe, it is reasonable to tell a child that masturbation is a sin, while Freud and psychoanalysis are damned. And, let us confess our sins, brothers and sisters, a psychoanalyst will have trouble taking an evangelical seriously. Reciprocal prejudice.

But despite that, in 2023, it is easy to give a vote of confidence to the group that is less wrong.