Marxism View On Religion Flashcards
What is Marxism view of Religion?
is a form of ideology that aimed to control the masses.It also serves the needs of the capitalist
What is 3 ways Religion act as an ideology?
•Legitimise inequality-it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of needle than a man to get to the kingdom of heaven (Christal teaching)
•Legitimates power of the ruling class-the rich are ‘blessed by god’ and therefore it’s God will
•Spiritual Gin’ Lenin believed that the ruling class use religion to manipulate the masses and prevent them from overthrowing the ruling class
How is Religion a product of alienation?
•Suffering as a test of faith
•Existential security-This life ‘doesn’t matter’ the next life does
•Promises of an after life-you suffer this life you will be rewarded in the afterlife
What does Marx mean by religion is an ‘Opium of the masses’?
Marx meant that it provides a temporary relief from the oppression of capitalism. It gives meaning to their sacrifices offer rewards
What are the 3 way that religion is like opium?
•Dulls the pain
•Distorts our view of the world
•Gives us a temporary relief
Criticisms of Marxism?
•Ignores the positive aspect of religion e.g. sense of belonging
•Ignores the positive aspect of religion e.g. sense of belonging, collectivism and charity
What does Neo Marxism believe about Religion?
criticise Marxists for failing to see how religion can be a force for social change.
They say that religion helps us gain class consciousness and brings about social change.
What is a Engels view on Religion (Neo Marxism)?
He believed it acted as a social order and revolutionary force.
-He suggest that religion actively opposed forms of social change such as science and Philosophy
-He argued that Christianity would become revolutionary both political and religiously which means Christianity was key in overthrowing the empire
How is Neo-Marxism different to Marxism?
-Evolved in the 20th century, with ideas of Frankfurt School and Gramsi and Althusser.
-Based on the Marxist tradition of inequality and exploitation but also addresses some of the failings of Marx ideas.
-Because the capitalist society continues to grow beyond Marxists predictions, they offer a more up to date viewpoint of capitalism and the structure of society.
What does Gramsci say about religion is a Hegemony?
- Religion can both endocrine and liberate individuals
- Hegemonic- Working class is controlled by the ruling class by making them accept their ideology
-religion contributed to hegemonic control of the ruling class.Roman Catholic Church were a big example of this
What does Gramsci say about religion is a counter Hegemony?
Religion could also be useful in developing counter hegemony against the ruling class it helps build a rebellion to promote protesting against the ideas of the ruling class
What does Althusser mean by religion is an Ideological state apparatus?
-Religion serves the needs of the ruling class It controls the masses by offering them rewards in the next life if they obey this one.
-Ruling acts as a conservative force in the aims to dampen any acts of rebellion and prevent social change from happening
What is Liberation Theology?
in Christian theology developed mainly by Latin American Roman Catholics which attempts to address the problems of poverty and social injustice as well as spiritual matters
-Religion acts as a comfort for the working class as it is acts as guidance to the working class and the oppressed
What is Ernst Bloch-the principle of hope?
Religion offers hope to individuals-encouraging change and collectivist action
