Religion and Mental Health

Religion is as old as mankind. Primitive man had primitive religions and he worshipped the elements of nature like sun, earth, air, cloud, water etc. Advances in civilisation led to institutionalised religions. The basic characteristics of all religions are similar. There is firm belief in a higher, unseen controlling power. Religion appears to be a psychological necessity for mankind. However, there may be a small minority who may transcend this need. These individuals could be genius who create new order or they may be even criminals. Religion which evolved due to basic psychological need of mankind later metamorphosed. To increase their influence over the believers the religious leaders institutionalised it into closed system and non-believers or believers of other religions were considered as heretics. This led to politicalisation of religion. Gradually religious practices developed into dogmas and superstitions. Though most religions continued changing with time many became completely fossilized.