Marxism

Question 1

Religion provides comfort - Marx

Answer 1

The proletariat are exploited and feel alienated in the workplace, they then turn to religion as form of consolation.
Marx says religion ‘is the opium of the people…’

religion acts as an opiate to dull the pain of exploitation, but also masks the underlying problem of exploitation.

Instead religion is a promise of the afterlife which creates an illusory happiness that distracts attention from the true cause of unhappiness, namely capitalism (similar to caring face)

Question 2

Marx AO3:

Answer 2

Secularistation - people are no longer as religious and so they are unlikely to look for comfort in religion. Science may now provide comfort e.g. in times of sickness.

Parsons would agree with Marx and say that religion provides comfort.

Question 3

Religion maintains capitalism - Marx/Lenin

Answer 3

For Marx ideology is a belief system that distorts people’s perception of reality in ways the serve capitalism.
He argues the the class who control the economy also control the way ideas in society travel - through school, media, church etc. ideological state apparatuses

Religion operated as an ideological weapon used by the RC to justify the WC’s exploitation. religion misleads the poor into believing their suffering is virtuous and they will be favoured in the afterlife.

For example, in Christianity:
‘it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.’

• this creates a false class consciousness

Similarly, Lenin describes religion as a spiritual gin - intoxicant for the WC by the RC to keep them confused.
In Lenin’s view , the RC use religion to manipulate the masses and create a mystical fog that obscures reality.

Question 4

Marx/Lenin AO3:

Answer 4

This is gender blind, Marxists ignore how religion may also maintain patriarchy according to feminists.
Use the theory ‘Religion maintains patriarchy’ to support your evaluation.

Question 5

Religion legitimates the hierarchy

Answer 5

Religion legitimates the power and privilege of the dominant class by making their position appear divinely ordained (making it seem like it is from a higher power - by God).

E.g. the 16th century idea of the Divine Right of Kings was the belief that the King was Gods representative on earth.

Disobedience was not just illegal, it was a sinful challenge to Gods authority.

Another example of this would be the Hindu Caste System.

Question 6

Religion legitimates hierarchy AO3:

Answer 6

Marx shows how religion may be used to mask exploitation but ignores how it can form positive functions religion may perform.

To support your evaluation use the theory ‘Religion integrates society’ by Bellah