Marxism and Religion Flashcards
What did Marx say the capitalist did to the working class?
Exploited them.
What did Marx predict the working class would do?
Eventually become aware of their exploitation and overthrow capitalism bringing about a classless society.
What did Marx mean when he said ‘religion is an ideological weapon’?
The capitalists use religion as a way of justifying the status of the poor as something god given.
What does Marx mean by false conscience?
A distorted view of reality. The poor are comforted as they believe they will be rewarded in the after life.
How workers become alienated?
They do not own what they produce, have no control over the production process and are not free to express creativity because they are repeating the same mindless tasks.
What does Marx mean when he says religion is the ‘opium of the people’?
Opium masks pain rather than treating its cause, so religion masks the underlying problem of exploitation. Workers are unlikely to rise up and overthrow the capitalist class.
What is the law of karma
If you behave well in this life then you will be reincarnated into a higher castle.
What did Engles argue?
Religion can challenge the status quo and encourage social change
