ABSTRACT
In this chapter, “Lacanian psychoanalysis and religion,” the relevant though limited literature on addressing Lacan and Eastern Orthodox Christianity is presented. This examination begins with Lacan’s comments on God and religion. He did not systematize his theory or his analysis of religion; therefore, a thematic organization is introduced that synthesizes Lacan’s views on the function of religion, God and the unconscious, creation ex nihilo (out of nothing), and mysticism and sexuality. Of particular note is Lacan’s definition of atheism, which does not mean God is dead, but that God is unconscious. Following a presentation of Lacan’s work is a selective explication of theological writings that engage Western Christian (Catholic and Protestant) theology and Lacan in order to glean points of convergence and divergence with Eastern Orthodoxy, particularly related to views of God. In the penultimate section of the chapter, the literature directly at the intersection of Lacanian psychoanalysis and Eastern Orthodox theology/mysticism is examined, including authors Lila Kalinich, Christos Yannaras, and Christoph Schneider. The chapter concludes with a presentation of Lacanian interpretations of the Genesis narrative, featuring the work of Anna Piskorowski, Ilona Rashkow, Moshe Halevi Spero, and Kim Ian Parker.
