> In very broad anthropological and psychological terms, anxiety is a
> basic condition of human existence and neurosis is a channelling of that
> anxiety into futile and sometimes pathological behaviors. The postive,
> progressive role of religion is to channel the anxiety into a benign
> faith, charity and brotherhood -- the opiate of the masses, so to speak.
> Obviously, it doesn't always work that way. The positive, progressive
> role of reason is to tell us when our 'faith' has corrupted into
> superstition. But, not quite as obviously, reason when it pretends to
> supercede faith only succeeds in erecting new idols -- e.g.,
> technological infallibility and the invisible hand of the market.
>
I am basically with you on that, comrade, but take exception to the anxiety being the basic condition. It is ubiquitous, all right, but not basic. In fact, the history of human society can be cast as a history of collective dealing with and reduction of anxiety.
While society and its institutions is the first and most powerful human response to fear, anxiety, uncertainty and danger, under certain circumstances it can also be the source of such anxiety. This happens when a particular narrow group maintains its control of society by the amazingly simple yet effective trick of manufacturing fear and anxiety and casting themselves as saviours from that fear and anxiety.
This is the basic stuff of the American politics, as aptly observed by HL Mencken. Fear mongering is particularly useful is a society is relatively affluent and free from threats, yet highly stratified. Such conditions obtain in the US.
Since the basic claimed raison d'etre of every elite is the provision of public order, security and safety - that raison d'etre wanes when no dangers are imminent. Under such conditions, the elite may be asked to give up some of its power or to contribute something more meaningful to society in exchange for its upkeep. To counteract that, the elite may find it advantageous to manufacture fear to justify its existence and the privileged position, and is usually in the position to hire the best fear mongers money can buy - the clergy, marketers, and political activists of various stripes.
In sum, fear and anxiety are not a basic traits of the human nature (although response to them is) - they can vary in response to social institutions and actions of power brokers.
Wojtek