Marxism

Question 1

Marxism general

Answer 1

Religion is a feature of only a class-divided society

Question 2

Religion as an ideology

Answer 2

• For Marx, ideology is a belief system that distorts peoples perception of reality in ways that serve the interests of the ruling class
• The class that controls economic production also controls the productions ideas in society
• Religion operates as an ideological weapon used by the RC to legitimise the suffering of the poor as something inevitable and God-given
  -It misleads the poor into believing their suffering is virtuous and creates a false consciousness

Question 3

LENIN

Answer 3

‘Spiritual Gin’- doled out by the ruling class to confuse them and keep them in their place

Question 4

Religion and alienation

Answer 4

• Religion is a product of alienation - becoming separated from or losing control over something that one has provided
• Religion acts as an opiate to dull the pain of exploitation but it only masks the pain and doesn’t treat the underlying problem
• Because religion is a distorted view of the world, it can offer no solution to earthly misery instead it promises the afterlife in order to distract attention from the true source of suffering = capitalism
• It arises out of suffering and acts as a consolation for it, but fails to deal with the cause, also acts as an ideology that legitimises both the suffering of the poor and the privileges of the ruling class

Question 5

A03 for Marxism and religion

Answer 5

-Evidence religion does not always legitimate power
-McGuire argues the relationship between religion and social and political actions is more complex and unpredictable than suggested
- Marxism fails to explain why religion might continue to exist when in theory oppression has come to an end
-Religion may be a positive