Marxist theories of religion Flashcards
How does Marx see religion?
In Marx’s view, religion operates as an ideological weapon used by the ruling class to legitimate the suffering of the poor as something inevitable and god-given. Religion misleads the poor into believing that their suffering is virtuous and that they will be favoured in the afterlife. Such ideas create a false consciousness - a distorted view of reality that prevents the poor from acting to change their situation.
What does Lenin say that agrees with Marx’s view of religion?
describes religion as ‘spiritual gin’ - an intoxicant doled out to the masses by the ruling class to confuse them and keep them in their place. In Lenin’s view, the ruling class use religion cynically to manipulate the masses and keep them from attempting to overthrow the ruling class by creating a ‘mystical fog’ that obscures reality.
How does Marx explain religion and alienation?
religion acts as an opiate to dull the pain of exploitation. But just as opium masks pain rather than treating it’d cause, so religion masks the underlying problem of exploitation that creates the need for it. Its promises of afterlife create an illusory happiness that distracts attention from the true source of the suffering, namely capitalism.
How does Althusser criticise Marx?
reject the concept of alienation as unscientific and based on romantic idea that human beings have a ‘true self’. This would make the concept an inadequate basis for a theory of religion as an individual can gain control of their situation.
