This study examines Freud's writings on the psychology of religion. The author demonstrates that Freud's initial motivation in discussing the analogy between religion and neurosis was to substantiate his theory of the meaningful nature of compulsive neurotic symptoms. With Totem and Taboo, however, Freud's perspective changed. His intention from then on was to discuss religion with a view to casting light on humankind's relationship to power. Brunner identifies two genealogies of religion posited in Freud's work. In Totem and Taboo the deity is a