Religion as the counterbalance to mass-mindedness

Here is my summary of the second chapter of Jung's "The Undiscovered Self"

It is in the state's (i.e. those who manipulate the state) self-interest to remove the individual's dependence on anything but the state e.g. religion. But religion is more about the individual's psychic attitude and not directly social and physical conditions. Religions give a reference point outside of social and physical conditions which enables the individual to exercise their judgement.

Jung differentiates between religion and creed, defining religion as the relationship of an individual to God and a creed as a confession of faith in a collective belief. Creeds have codified their views, customs and beliefs and externalised themselves to such an extent that the external point of reference has become of minor importance.

"It is not ethical principles, however lofty, or creeds, however orthodox, that lay the foundations for the freedom and autonomy of the individual, but simply and solely the empirical awareness, the incontrovertible experience of an intensely personal, reciprocal relationship between man and an extramundane authority which acts as a counterpoise to the "world" and its "reason"." (page 15)

Man, as a social being, cannot live without ties to society but the individual needs an extramundane principle to relativise the influence of external factors. Where the State has taken the place of God doubts arise which the individual represses so as to avoid conflict with the majority resulting in overcompensation and fanaticism. The purpose of religion is to maintain psychic balance. Ritual and magic have an important psychological effect. The State as God doesn't give the individual protection against his inner demons and hence "he will cling all the more to the power of the State, i.e., to the mass, this delivering himself up to is psychically as well as morally and putting the finishing touch to his social depotentiation."

Real and fundamental change can only come from personal encounters which touch the inner man.