Marxist Theories of Religion

Question 1

What is religion a feature of?

Answer 1

A class divided society

Question 2

Religion’s function (regarding the poor)

Answer 2

It is an ideological weapon used to legitimate the suffering of the poor into something God-given e.g. Jesus being a carpenter creates a false class consciousness

“Opium of the masses”

Question 3

Religion’s function regarding the ruling class

Answer 3

Legitimates the power of the ruling class by making it seem divinely ordained e.g. divine right of kings

Question 4

Religion as a product of alienation

Answer 4

It soothes the pain of alienation and arises out of suffering without dealing with the cause of the suffering

Question 5

Positive of this theory

Answer 5

Shows how religion may be used as a tool for oppression

Question 6

Negative of this view

Answer 6

Althusser- alienation is unscientific and based on a romantic idea that humans have a true self