Existential psychology and religion: An examination through representatives and fundamental concepts

Existentialism, which emerged in the 19th century as a reaction to modernity, is a philosophical system of thought based on the principle that humans have the will to realize themselves and that their existence cannot be limited. Existentialism, which was founded and developed by thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Jean-Paul Sartre, focuses on fundamental human concerns such as freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness. The existentialist approach, which deals with the individual and the fundamental existential concepts they possess, has influenced many humanist thinkers. Existentialism, which has also inspired art forms such as literature and cinema, has had an impact on psychology. This study aims to reveal the relationship between fundamental existential concepts and religion and spirituality in the context of the religious views and opinions of representatives of existential psychology. The research is limited to L. Binswanger, V. Frankl, R. May, Irvin D. Yalom, E. van Deurzen, and Erol Göka, who has conducted studies on the existential approach in Turkey. The research method was determined as qualitative research, and the document review technique was used. In the first section of the study, existential philosophy was examined as it forms the basis of existential psychology, and the process of the emergence of existential psychology was traced through its pioneers and basic concepts. In the second section, the framework of existential psychology is outlined through leading figures and existential concepts (anxiety, meaning, freedom, loneliness, the meaning of life). Finally, in the third section, the religious views of psychologists who adopt the existential psychology approach and the connection between existential concepts and religion are discussed in line with the framework outlined above. In this context, a healthy religious life is considered in a functional and constructive way in solving and making sense of the individual's existential questions. As a result, it has been observed that existential psychology evaluates religion in terms of its functionality and its decisive position in individuals' lives.