Neo-Marxist Approch To Understanding Religion

Question 1

view on religion

Answer 1

Neo Marxists update Marxist ideas about the role of religion. They share the view that the economy plays an important role in shaping society, however they importantly argue that other institutions such as religion may actually play an important role in challenging capitalist society. Thus, religion may have relative autonomy from the economy.

Question 2

gramsci

hegemony

Answer 2

Gramsci argues that beliefs and ideas are no less important than economic forces, and as such religion which spreads ideas and beliefs is just as important and influential as the economic base of society. He uses the concept of hegemony to explain how the ruling class dominate the minds of the Proletariat, and argues that religion often plays a role in maintaining this control e.g. Roman Catholicism in Italy. However, Gramsci argued that religion has on some occasions been used to support the interests of the oppressed classes, and so he concluded that religion could therefore be used to challenge the dominant ruling class ideology and hegemonic control of the masses.

Question 3

madurio’s view

Answer 3

Maduro builds on the work of Gramsci by contributing understanding of how Gramsci’s ideas might be put into practice. He found that in developing countries where the church and religion remain dominant with some hegemonic influence, religion has the power to create social change. In places like Latin America, members of the clergy have the power to voice and reflect the Proletariat’s experience of oppression. The Church leads the working class to join together and overthrow the ruling class.

Question 4

althusser
isa and rsa

Answer 4

Althusser distinguishes between ISAs (ideological state apparatus) and RSAs (repressive state apparatus).

· ISAs are institutions that spread ideas

· RSAs are institutions which oppress and control people through use of forceReligion as an ISA can be used to create social change. If an ISA tries to do this, then RSAs will respond with force to stop any kind of revolution against a capitalist system. Therefore religion can be used to create social change, but will inevitably need to overcome RSAs which is a difficult task

Question 5

liberation theology

religious beliefs and texts used to justify a working class revolution.

Answer 5

This is is the idea that religious beliefs and texts can be used to justify a working class revolution. Some interpretations of the Bible suggest that it encourages the oppressed to take control of their situation and actively engage in ending their oppression. This supports the Neo-Marxist idea that religion is not always used to reproduce capitalism and inequality.

Liberation theology began in Latin America in the 1950s as a response to poverty and inequality in the region, but the use of religion to end oppression and overthrow capitalism has also been seen elsewhere.