ABSTRACT
The abuse of women by polygamous religionists is equally scandalous and even more immoral. Organized religion may have done better at controlling sexual behavior than psychoanalysis. Psychodynamic neurology can be extended to religion and sexuality, two important functions not previously linked by a common theory. Most religions fail to curb sexuality. Sigmund Freud, who was an atheist, thought he could psychoanalyze religion out of existence. For Freud, religion was a psychoneurosis looking for a cure via the uncovering of infantile sexual wishes. Protoconsciousness theory is no less concerned with sexuality than is psychoanalysis, but its viewpoint is radically different. Sexual energy may contribute to later behavior, and given society’s need to control this energy, behavior may be problematical because conflict involving sexuality can easily arise as brains and egos mature. Psychoanalysis would regard the sexual impulse as a product of the id and its conflict with social mores as a battle with the superego.
