Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan noted that some people try to imitate God because they see themselves as God, stating, “Assuming God's perfection in themselves, they imitate God just as a child imitates their father. Such people are called ‘Earthly Gods.’ They express themselves with an understanding like ‘I created the low mountains.’”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the societal structure, which was formerly patriarchal or matriarchal, has now transformed into a child-dominant structure, adding, “The child is raised like a small ruler of the house. In this situation, children who develop narcissistic personality traits may have a God complex if these traits exceed a certain level.”
Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated the topic of God Complex on TRT RADYO 1 Ailece Programı.
They virtually see themselves as God of the Earth…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the God complex entered the literature through psychoanalytic studies and is a concept with a history of approximately one hundred to one hundred and fifty years, adding, “The God complex is also used to define a specific personality trait. This personality trait is generally seen in individuals with narcissistic personality disorder, but this does not necessarily mean narcissistic personality disorder. Individuals with a God complex tend to have excessive power and influence over people around them. These individuals enjoy dominating, ruling, and exhibiting authoritarian attitudes. They virtually see themselves as the God of the Earth and accept their own truths as absolute.”
They have lost the sense of mercy
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that this situation leads individuals to crush and exploit others by forming a superiority complex, adding, “Therefore, these traits are part of narcissistic personality disorder. They possess excessive self-confidence and see themselves as more knowledgeable and capable than others. In individuals with a God complex, their self-perception is above their self-level. They perceive themselves as superior to their true personalities. For this reason, they see themselves as having traits they do not possess and exaggerate their small achievements, praising themselves everywhere. Individuals with this mindset generally exhibit emotionless and rigid behaviors towards other people. They are individuals who have lost their sense of mercy. They completely disregard the needs of others and, in most cases, constantly belittle others.”
They virtually crush anyone who criticizes them
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also noted that such individuals want others to obey them, and continued:
“They praise those who are loyal and devoted to them, prioritizing this loyalty. They possess excessive self-confidence. This is also called ‘confidence of ignorance’; seeing themselves as having qualities they do not possess, they hold absolute beliefs on subjects they know nothing about. They become very good salespeople, very good marketers, and excellent propagandists. Because they believe in what they do, they convince the other party as well. Such individuals are quite dangerous. When criticized on a matter they believe in, they virtually crush the critic. They act in their own self-interest, disregarding others. When they make mistakes, they immediately blame others. These individuals generally talk a lot and show a fondness for brands. They act with the mindset of ‘I deserve the best.’ Individuals with this trait are nourished by appreciation, praise, and approval. Being completely closed off to criticism is one of their most prominent features. The superiority complex is a defense mechanism; these individuals behave with excessive self-confidence because they want to appear perfect and superior. In this way, they leave an impressive impression. They defend and support those who praise them. Their understanding of self-interest is entirely directed towards themselves; they shape the concept of rights solely according to their own interests.”
They express themselves with an understanding like ‘I created the low mountains’!
Examining the psychological dynamics of these individuals, Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that they try to imitate God because they see themselves as God, stating, “Assuming God's perfection in themselves, they imitate God just as a child imitates their father. Such people are called ‘Earthly Gods.’ They express themselves with an understanding like ‘I created the low mountains.’ These traits are related to narcissistic traits that can naturally develop during childhood. However, with the maturation process, individuals learn to invest their interest and love in other people, society, and life, rather than their own egos. But these individuals invest love and interest only in themselves and are satisfied only with attention and love from others. They work very hard because they want to be called ‘very intelligent and talented,’ and for that reason, they are successful, but their personalities are not liked. These individuals usually remain alone; when they lose their power, they find themselves utterly alone.”
Hitler had a God complex
Prof. Dr. Tarhan explained that if parents give a child excessive, even unconditional love, and set no boundaries, these children can develop a narcissistic personality, stating, “Such was Hitler… Hitler had a God complex. However, not everyone with narcissistic personality traits may exhibit a God complex. There are also narcissists who do not have a God complex, appear modest, but are perfectionistic, orderly, and clean. But in these individuals, a lack of empathy is also frequently observed. Individuals with a God complex attribute a divine sanctity to themselves. Because of these traits, when they gain power, they crush everything that stands in their way and eliminate those who would hinder them. Hitler's narcissism and tendency to destroy opposition effectively paved the way for the 20th century to be a ‘century of dictators’.”
People with a God complex are generally known as cruel
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that individuals with a God complex are generally known as cruel, and this complex can also manifest in marriages, saying, “Most spouses constantly make sacrifices, thinking, ‘Oh, let's not have problems, I'll manage,’ and thus feed the egos of these individuals. A similar situation can be experienced in child-rearing processes. When parents act with the thought of ‘I want my child to be special and important,’ they can raise narcissistic children who see themselves as earthly Gods.”
Families have adopted a child-centric structure...
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that narcissistic personality traits are present in everyone, but these traits can be corrected when criticized, adding, “When it comes to narcissistic personality disorder, the God complex is also part of this disorder. The God complex can be defined as a trait; however, it is not currently included in modern diagnostic manuals. It is more a concept used in older literature. People with this personality structure act with the mindset of, ‘How can you say no to me, how can you criticize me?’ Therefore, the moment you say no to them, they can crush you. To prevent this, children should be taught boundaries at an early age. However, our society today is increasingly transforming into a child-centered structure. The societal structure, which was formerly patriarchal or matriarchal, has now transformed into a child-dominant structure. The child is raised like a small ruler of the house. In this situation, children who develop narcissistic personality traits may have a God complex if these traits exceed a certain level.”
These individuals have a Machiavellian mindset
Prof. Dr. Tarhan said that individuals with a God complex are generally excessively hardworking, disciplined, and idealistic, adding, “They consider every means permissible to achieve their goals. These individuals have a Machiavellian mindset; they may exhibit antisocial behaviors and be prone to crime. People with these traits can be extremely cruel and can easily destroy people. They can commit crimes without showing any empathy, saying, ‘How dare you criticize me? How dare you look at me askance?’ When we look at the childhoods of such individuals, we see that all their wishes were met, everything they said was done, and they were raised like the small ruler of the house. These individuals can eventually turn into individuals who see everyone as ants.”
Anyone who knows how to protect their own boundaries will not let themselves be crushed!
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that if these individuals can correct themselves when criticized, they can carry a well-intentioned potential, adding, “Therefore, the education of such individuals is very important, and the attitude of the mother and father is crucial. When such individuals come, we do boundary work. Anyone who knows how to protect their own boundaries will not let themselves be crushed.”