Liberation Theology Flashcards
What is Marx ADE
Alienation, Dehumanisation, Exploitation
how does Marx explain ADE
proletariat don’t receive the fruits of the labour and the bourgeois makes profit on their work
What did Marx believe could stop capitalism
revolution coming from praxis for communism
false consciousness
Proletariat didn’t realise they were being exploited
how does Marx compare religion to opium
it reduces pain and gives hallucinations
why was Marx against religion
he believed It to be a tool used by the bourgeoise to stop people questioning them
strengths of Marx
- person centered focused on removing oppression and land ownership
- aims to abolish the class system
praxis
turning theory into action to achieve change
how does Boff support Marx
Church is corrupt after becoming roman state religion
how does Torres support Marx
words without action are empty so supports praxis
weaknesses of Marx
- Communism and practice was horrific
- capitalistic societies can be harmonious
how does Miranda critique Marx
Argues exploitation was caused by fallen human nature, at its roots religion rules against exploitation in the Ten Commandments
who is the founder of Liberation Theology
Catholic Priest Gutierrez
where did liberation theology emerge
in latin America after reflection on government corruption oppressing the poor
what does liberation theology focus on
solidarity with the poor and action to improve their condition
what does liberation theology reject
theology and western teachings in favour of action
what is reversal in LT
influenced by Marx to reverse conditions of the poor
what does social sin result in
poverty, violence, injustice
what does Gutierrez argue Marxism should be used as
a tool to understand the teachings of Jesus
Reasons why Marx and LT have engaged enough
- Marxism has been used to the limit as an atheist structure
- Has been successful in latin America
Reasons why Marx and LT have not engaged enough
- LT hasn’t had a global impact and christianity doesn’t focus on material poverty
- still injustice in latin America
how does Ratzinger argue LT is too Marxist
- LT is too political and loses sight of God
- salvation from sin is reached through Gods grace not praxis
how does Kee criticise LT
LT is very selective of its use of Marx as it ignores his open hatred for all religion, needs to be all or nothing
preferential option for the poor
Poor should be prioritised over other groups to create a fairer society
how does LT follow Jesus example
positive discrimination for outcasts in society
examples of the Preferential Option for the Poor in the Bible
- Jesus liberating ( Samaritan or Bleeding Woman)
- God saving Israelites in Egypt in book exodus
Why does LT view the church with structural sin
they alienated the poor by focusing on spirituality and not helping them
what is the bottom up approach in latin America
no access to priests in poor communities so they were free from hierarchal church so anyone could interpret the bible
why does LT believe in Orthopraxis over Orthodoxy
right belief wouldn’t help to change wrongs of capitalism but right action would.
strengths of the preferential option
- Gospel writers have different focuses like christianity can focus on different groups
- ‘it is not the healthy who need the doctor but the sick’ - Jesus
- isn’t right to ignore church tradition
weaknesses of the preferential option
- doesn’t consider other marginalised groups
- Rich man and Lazarus - Rich people still need spiritual salvation, but LT condemns them
- Jesus death on the cross is enough salvation for people
why does the Catholic Church criticise LT
- Marxism is atheist and advocates violence
- identifies church with structural sin which denies god given authority
- ignores 2000 years of tradition in the church
how has the church eased on LT
Pope Francis invited Gutierrez to speak at the Vatican
what does Catholic Social teaching focus on
common good of all people with a human centred approach, focusing on solidarity peace and community
how does the parable of the sheep and the goat support LT
teaches that action must be taken to help people in need
Why does Liberation Theology believe capitalism must be replaced
Capitalism causes structural social sin in the alienation of the poor and exploitation
strengths of christianity in tackling social issues
- More holistic as it doesn’t focus solely on poor
- acknowledges spiritually poor
- more effective on the local personal level
weaknesses of christianity in tackling social issues
- christianity is not radical enough
- too much emphasis on orthodoxy
- christianity hasn’t had major impact on injustice around the world
why can marxist sympathies in christianity argued to be coincidental
Because the early bible suggests that community acted in a communist way and Jesus swore against serving money
reasons why christianity should engage with secular ideologies
- Christians can remain christian whilst engaging with science so why not for ideologies
- aspects may be helpful without accepting the whole ideology (Freud)
- engage is an ambitious term
- christians shouldn’t reject valid principles based on faith, praxis over orthodoxy
reasons why christianity shouldn’t engage with secular ideologies
- reject existence of God undermining christianity
- Jesus teaching are enough to guide christians
- Dawkins is an example of too extreme that endangers christianity
- Marxism accepts violence
How does Freire support LT
Idea of conscientisation becoming aware of social sin through reflection then action
