Neo Marxist Flashcards
overview
Religion can be a revolutionary force; religion change society and is not just a conservative force or a force of social control:
Engels (although not a Neo Marxist himself) appreciated the revolutionary potential of religion when he pointed out how early Christians stood up for the subject class when it challenged oppressive Roman rule. In the same way Neo-Marxists say religion can be a way of expressing rebellion and resistance to the ruling class.
can give people the ideas and means to oppose capitalism
In a challenge to traditional Marxism, Gramsci said religion can give people the ideas and means to oppose capitalism. In reference to Marxist theory,
Gramsci said the superstructure (ideas) of society can be autonomous (free) and independent of the substructure (economy).
Moreover, he said religious beliefs are just as real in society as economic forces. Popular forms of religion can help the interests of the poor by providing them with a way to challenge the dominant ideology of the ruling class by supporting working class consciousness and liberation movements.
Religious leaders represent the interests of an oppressed group, they can use their influence to bring about social change
Maduro studied religion in developing countries. He showed that when religious leaders represent the interests of an oppressed group, they can use their influence to bring about social change.
For example, the Catholic Church in 1960’s in the countries of Central and South America became a source of radical thought and action against the ruling class. The complaints and demands of the oppressed people were reflected and voiced by the clergy (priests). In this way, the clergy took on the function of ‘proletarian intellectuals’ by expressing working class discontentment and leading the working class in revolutionary action against the capitalist state.
Examples like this are used by Neo Marxists to say traditional Marxists fail to account for the way in which religion can stand for the oppressed and defend them against a corrupt ruling class
THE MOVEMENT OF LIBERATION THEOLOGY
(an example of how religion can bring about revolution)
Liberation Theology is a religious movement of social change within the Catholic Church and it supports the arguments of Neo Marxists. For many Catholic clergy in South and Central America, Christ is seen as a revolutionary figure who sought to liberate people from slavery, poverty and oppression. Christian ideas are seen as a political motivating force to create social change.
Maduro also noted how priests spoke out against the corruption of the ruling class and helped the poor to organise into a revolutionary force in South America (1960’s -1980’s). The movement of Liberation Theology showed how priests can develop revolutionary potential where oppressed people have no outlet for their grievances. “Religion is often one of the main available channels to bring about social revolution.” When the poor have no democratic voice in a totalitarian state, the only way they can protest is through the church; priests speaking out on behalf of the poor.
A03
The Vatican was very critical of Liberation Theology. It objected to the way Christianity was being merged with Marxism. It also said the church should not turn itself into a secular political movement.
Functionalists argue that religion is more likely to be a conservative force in society. It works to unite people and creates social solidarity in society. Marxists argue that religion creates a false consciousness amongst the poor; it is a force of social control and preserves the status quo of capitalist society.
