marxist theories of religion

Question 1

marxist theories of religion

Answer 1

see society as divided into two classes, one which exploits the labour of the other

exploitation will be overcome by the working class becoming conscious of their exploitation and unite to overthrow capitalism

in a classless society, religion would disappear since marxism sees religion as a feature of class divided society

Question 2

religion as ideology

Answer 2

religion acts as an ideological weapon because it legitimates the suffering of the poor as something inevitable and god given. religion misleads the poor into believing their suffering is virtuous and that they will be favoured in the afterlife

lenin - religion is spiritual gin, an intoxicant dolled out to the masses by the ruling class to confuse them and keep them in their place. manipulates people and keeps them from attempting to overthrow the ruling class

religion legitimates the power and privilege of the dominant class by making their position appear to be divinely ordained. the 16th century idea of the divine right of kings was the belief that the king is god’s representative on earth and is owed total obedience

Question 3

religion and alienation

Answer 3

religion acts as an opiate to dull the pain of exploitation. opium masks the pain rather than treating the cause - religion masks the underlying problems of exploitation that creates the need for it

Question 4

religion and work

Answer 4

in christian teachings, jesus has a day job as a carpenter and we are led to believe that his disciples were fishermen

in islamic teaching, prophet muhammad worked as a sheperd

exodus 34:12 - ‘six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest’

catholicism teaches that the pope’s authority and power comes from saint peter - the heir to jesus’ ministry

ruling class ideology suggests that work is normal and that everyone has to work - it is a natural part of life

marx - points out that passing on this dominant Ideology to the working class is only half the job complete. it is up to the ruling class to make the working class feel like they are the ones who ultimately benefit from working .the ruling class must also create false class consciousness among the working class

Question 5

false class consciousness

Answer 5

religion acts as an eventual escape from suffering and oppression in this life, with promises of a perfect life after death in heaven

religion offers hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth

religion provides an explanation and justification for inequality

Question 6

evaluation

Answer 6

ignores positive functions such as psychological adjustments to misfortune

althusser - rejects the concept of alienation as unscientific

religion does not necessarily function effectively as ideology to control the population