Marxism

Question 1

What are the three functions of religion, according to Marxist?

Answer 1

Religion provides comfort

Religion maintains capitalism

Religion legitimises the hierarchy

Question 2

Ao1 religion provides comfort

Answer 2

The proletariat are exploited and feel alienated in the workplace, and in these dehumanising conditions, they turn to religion as a form of consolation

Marx states that religion is the opium of the people
but just as opium masks pain rather than treating it religion masks the underlying problem of exploitation that causes the need for it
Instead, it promises of the afterlife, which creates a illusion of happiness and distracts attention from the true cause of unhappiness, which is capitalism

Question 3

Ao3 religion provides comfort

Answer 3

More secular society However, people are no longer as religious, so they’re unlikely to look for comfort in religion. Science may provide comfort instead for example in times of sickness.

Question 4

Ao1 religion maintains capitalism

Answer 4

For marx ideology is a belief system that distorts peoples perception of reality in a way to serve the interest of the ruling class
He argues that the class that controls the means of production also controls the production of ideas through institutions, such as church, education and media

He states that religion operates as an ideological weapon used by the ruling class to legitimate the suffering of the poor
And that it misleads people into believing that their suffering is virtuous and they’ll be favoured in the afterlife
Such ideas create false class consciousness, which prevents the poor from changing their situation

Question 5

Ao3 religion maintains capitalism

Answer 5

Marxist ignore how religion, may also maintain patriarchy according to feminists and they state that it is gender blind

Question 6

Ao1 religion legitimises the hierarchy

Answer 6

Religion also legitimises the power and privilege of the dominant class by making their position appear that it is given by God
Disobedience is not just illegal, but a simple challenge to God’s authority
This promoted acceptance of the hierarchy as God-given
An example of this is a Hindu caste system where certain people are seen as servants and others as priests

Question 7

Ao3 religion, legitimises the hierarchy

Answer 7

Marx shows how religion may be a tool for oppression that masks exploitation
But he ignores the positive functions religion may perform
Alongside this the law in India, now states that you cannot discriminate someone based on their caste and that intercaste marriage is now also on the increase