Marxist criticisms

Question 1

RELIGION DID NOT DISAPPEAR IN COMMUNIST STATES

Answer 1

According to Marx, in a communist society religion will disappear as, without capitalism, there is no need for people to have a false consciousness. However, despite the persecution of religious activity in communist countries, many people remained religious and when communism collapsed at the end of the 1980’s people became free to openly express their beliefs

Question 2

STARK AND BAINBRIDGE SAY RELIGION IS ESSENTIALIST

Answer 2

Whereas functionalists claim that religion serves the interests of society, and Marxists claim that religion serves the interests of capitalism, Stark and Bainbridge say religion is an individual choice; religion is meeting an individual’s needs. And whereas Marxists argue that religion will fade away after a communist revolution (no need for the opium as there is no pain in a communist society!), Stark and Bainbridge say that this is impossible, as people will always have their individual needs for religion and so it is an essential feature of society.

Question 3

RELIGION IS NOT IMPORTANT IN SECULAR SOCIETIES

Answer 3

Marxists such as Turner and Abercrombie believe present day capitalists do not need religion as part of their ruling class ideology; the ruling class use coercion and economic power to maintain their position