Marxist- Theories Of Religion (CF)

Question 1

Marxist-Religion provides comfort AO1

Answer 1

Proletariat are exploited and feel alienated in the workplace
In these dehumanising conditions they turn to religion for consolidation
Marx- ‘religion is the opium of the people. It is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of the heartless, the soul of soulless conditions, the spirit of a spiritless situation’.
Religion acts as an a opiate to dull the pain of exploitation, opium masks pain rather than treating its cause
Religion masks the underlying problem of exploitation
Promises of the afterlife create illusory happiness that distracts attention from the true cause of unhappiness (capitalism)

Question 2

Marxist-Religion provides comfort AO3

Answer 2

Secularisation- people are no longer as religious and so they are unlikely to look for comfort in religion
Science may provide comfort eg in times of sickness

Question 3

Marxist- Religion maintains capitalism AO1

Answer 3

Marx
Ideology is a belief system that distorts peoples perception of reality in ways that serve the interests of the ruling class
Class that controls the economy also controls the production and distribution of ideas in society
Through church education and media
-ideological state apparatuses
Religion operates as an ideological weapon used by RC to legitimate poors suffering as inevitable and god given
Religion misleads the poor into believing their suffering is virtuous and they will be favoured in the afterlife
Lenin
Spiritual gin
Intoxicant used by RC to confuse and keep WC in their place
RC use religion to manipulate the masses and keep them from attempting to overthrow RC
by creating a mystical fog that obscures reality

Question 4

Marxist- Religion maintains capitalism AO3

Answer 4

Feminists
Gender blind
Marxists ignore how religion may also maintain patriarchy

Question 5

Marxist- Religion legitimates the hierarchy AO1

Answer 5

Legitimates power and privilege of dominant class by making their position appear divinely ordained
Divine Right of Kings
Belief that the king was Gods representative and is owed total obedience
Disobedience is illegal and a sinful challenge to Gods authority
This promoted acceptance of the hierarchy as god given
Hindu Caste system

Question 6

Marxist- Religion legitimates hierarchy AO3

Answer 6

Marx shows how religion may be a tool for oppression that masks exploitation but he ignores positive functions religion may perform
Neo Marxists like Gramsci see religion as capable of assisting social change
Law in India now states that you cannot discriminate someone based on their level on Caste system
Inter caste marriage is also on increase