Marxism on Religion

Question 1

Key Concepts (Marx)

Answer 1

-Opium of the people
- Spiritual gin
- Capitalist ideology
- Superstructure
- Economic base

Argues that religion makes “the people” numb to the pain that capitalism produces for working class

Question 2

Marxist theories of religion

Answer 2

• See all societies as divided in two two classes, one of which exploits other
• Capitalist class who own means of production exploit working class (creates class conflict)

Question 3

Religion as Ideology

Answer 3

“Ideology is belief system that distorts people’s perception of reality in interests of ruling class”

Religion legitimates power of ruling class by making their position appear divinely ordained

Religion misleads the poor into believing in rewards in the afterlife (creates false class consciousness - which prevents poor from acting to change their situation)

Question 4

Religion as Ideology - Lenin

Answer 4

“Spiritual Gin” - confuses working class and keeps them in their place, it creates mystical fog that obscures reality

Question 5

Religion and Alienation

Answer 5

Alienation - becoming separated from or losing control over something that one has produced or created

Question 6

Religion and Alienation - Althusser

Answer 6

Rejects concept of alienation as unscientific. This would make concept an inadequate basis for theory of religion