Marxism Flashcards
What is the overall traditional marxist view
R.C. Own means of production and derive power from superstructure e.g. RELIGION
Religion promotes and supports r.c. Ideology
Discourages subject classes from realising exploitation
How does religion act as an opium of the masses
Drug: distorts reality, helps deal with pain
Promises eternal life, virtue out of suffering and oppression, offers hope of supernatural intervention, justifies and legitimises existing social order
How does opium of the masses promise eternal life
In heaven
How does opium of the masses offer virtue out of suffering and oppression
No need to try and overcome injustice now
How does opium of the masses offer hope in supernatural intervention
To end suffering
E.G. Jehovahs Witnesses believe judgement day for those not religious = punished
How does opium of the masses justify and legitimise existing social order
E.G. Divine right of Kings
How does religion coincide with alienation
Humans invent an alien being ‘God’ believe all powerful and control over them, give up true humanity, denying themselves right to make own decisions
How des religion acts as social control
False Class Conscious: mistaken beliefs true nature life, justifies r.c. Prevents development class consciousness = become aware being exploited and overthrow capitalist system
What do traditional marxists see as the role of religion in communist countries
Under Communism: religion no longer necessary, means production communally owned, therefore no social classes. Without classes no need for religion. Sole purpose legitimate r.c.
What 3 pieces of evidence support Marxist
Slavery
New Christian Right
Evangelical Christianity Latin America
How does slavery support Marx view
Slave masters tried to convert religions of slaves
Saw religion way of controlling slaves, preventing rebellions
How does the New Christian Right support Marxist
Justify the free market and support bourgeoisie, legitimating power
How do the Evangelical Christians Latin America support Marx view of religion
Provide religious discipline, hope salvation in the after life, some poorest Latin American societies = discouraging radical theology
Evaluation of the traditional Marx view
Functionalist: ignores positive role
Religion under communism: survived USSR and Catholicism thrived in Poland
Narrow focus: 1 role
Feminists: ignore patriarchy and gender inequality
Radical force: does not always support status quo e.g. Liberation Theology challenge r.c.
