Who suggested that religion arises from the Oedipus complex and the relation to the father?

The suggestion that religion arises from the Oedipus complex and the relationship to the father can be attributed to Sigmund Freud. Freud, a prominent psychologist, proposed that human psychology is deeply influenced by familial relationships, particularly between children and their parents. He argued that the Oedipus complex—the child's unconscious desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent—plays a crucial role in shaping an individual's psyche.

In Freud's view, religion can be understood through this lens, as he posited that the need for a protective father figure manifests in the concept of God or divine authority. This perspective aligns with his broader theories of psychoanalysis, where human behavior, including religious beliefs, is often seen as a product of internal psychological conflicts and desires.

Freud's analysis situates religion as a means for individuals to project their complex feelings towards authority figures, ultimately linking the development of religious belief to these formative familial dynamics. This psychological framework emphasizes the personal, often unconscious motivations behind the formation of religious systems and experiences.