Marxists And Religion Flashcards
The neomarxists criticise traditional Marxists for…
Not appreciating that religion can be a key instigator in change as well.
Maduro is a neomarxist responsible for
Liberation theory: that religion is actually a key agent in fighting capitalism and imperialism
Eg: Iranian revolution posed itself as a return to a traditional non capitalist society.
Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu espoused religious humanitarian arguments to resist capitalist oppression.
Althusser saw religion as a tool for
Social control to spread ‘ideological hegemony’ and stunt the overthrow of capitalism. Eg: dominant bourgeoisie ideology.
“Theodicy of disprivilege” means?
Meaning the religion legitimised ideology of why poverty is unfair. Similar to the caste system in Hundu countries
Religion according to Marx, creates what?
False class consciousness
Marx’s quotes on religion…
- “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed people”
- “The illusory happiness of the people”
- “The heart of a heartless world”
- “The opium of the people”
Marx believed the ruling class had done what to religious dogma?
Cynically weaponised it to teach people to accept the established order of things so that bourgeois ideas such as meritocracy and poverty as a virtue are easier to swallow.
