Marxist view of religion Flashcards
Religion as a conservative force?
F- False class consciousness - Distorts reality and oppression, w/c suffer
A- A product of Alienation - helps w/c with dissatisfaction they suffer in a capitalist society
I- Ideological - Passes on r/c ideas that distort reality
L- Legitimates w/c suffering - individuals are convinced that suffering is God given
What was Marx’s view on religion?
- Felt people’s religion beliefs reflect their alienation. Believed that in capitalist society people are alienated into relationships with their work, with the products of their work and each other.
- Religious beliefs and practices arise as a response and protest to lack of control that individuals experience
- Felt mankind was created by God. U/c promoted the myth that their position was given by God to justify and maintain their position. Church taught that the various unequal states of the realm were God’s creation
Define the Divine Right of kings
Taught that the position of king was given by God so couldn’t be questioned. Attempts to change social order would’ve been acts of treason against monarchy but also rejection of God’s plan. Appeal of Christianity is its promise of salvation which acts as a form of social control.
Define the Hindu Caste system
This divides Hindus into rigid hierarchal groups based on their Karma and Dharma. In this structure arrangement of society appear to be inevitable so those at the bottom don’t question.
Define opium of the masses
- Religion acts as an opiate to dull the pain produced by oppression
- Religion doesn’t solve oppression but attempts to make life more bearable for the w/c.
- Religion stupefies its followers rather than bringing pure happiness and fulfillment
What was Althusser’s view on religion?
- Religion is part of the superstructure
- Religion is part of the ISA
- Transmits dominant ideology and false class consciousness
- God made them higher or lower and ordered their estate
What was Lenin’s view on religion?
- Described religion as a ‘Spiritual gin’ confusing the w/c and keeping them in their place
- Religion keeping w/c from attempting to overthrow capitalism as it created a ‘fog’ that obscures reality
What was Engels view on religion? (NM)
- Religion can play an active role in society and lead to revolutionary social change.
- Considered that religion could start as a response to exploitation and become a source of resistance and change
What did Bloch say about religion? (NM)
-Religion is a dual character
- It has positive and negative roles to social change, it can inhabit change but also encourage protest and rebellion. Its the expression of ‘the principle of hope’ - our dreams of a better life that contain images of utopia.
- Utopia can deceive people but can help people to see what needs changing
What did Maduro say about religion? (NM)
- Religion has independence from the economic system.
- Denies that religion is always conservative and can sometimes be revolutionary
- Clergy have potential to voice troubles of the oppressed. Liberation theology
- In Latin Am. the catholic clergy have become critical of oppressive regimes and have been involved in popular struggle
What does Gramsci say about religion?
- Rejects traditional Marxist views that superstructure always reflects social infrastructure.
- Beliefs can be as real and important as economic forced. Hegemony of the catholic church played in serving r/c interests interests but religion doesn’t play this role.
- Religion doesn’t always have to pass dominant ideologies but could serve to create a counter hegemony
What did Billings say about religion?
Studied 2 struggling communities. Textile workers and coal miners. Both communities were evangelical protestants and w/c.
