q6 marxist explanations of belief

Question 1

intro

Answer 1

Refer to the item
Marxists believe religion is a conservative force and a force of social control
In a capitalist society the function is to control the people and prevent a revolution and that religion itself is a series of myths and this justifies the domination of the ruling class
A03: Neo Marxist Gramsci, religion helps the interests of the poor by providing a way to challenge the dominant ideology, religion can stand for the oppressed and defend them, for example Hamas

Question 2

para1

Answer 2

Argue that religion is useful to Capitalism as it acts as a form of consolation to the people, keeps them happy in their impoverished positions
Marx: religion is the ‘opium of the masses’
Suggests how its an illusion which eased the pain produced by exploitation and oppression, indicating how religion does little to solve problems as it makes life more bearable-> reduces w/c demands->prevents a revolution
Also shows how religion produces a false consciousness over their exploitation
A03: Stark and Bainbridge-> religion is an individual choice and meets individual needs-> impossible for religion to fade as people will always have their individual needs for it-> essential feature of society

Question 3

2

Answer 3

Religion justifies the status quo by suggesting the social world was created by God
For example-> Victorian hymn-> ‘All things bright and beautiful’-> God can be seen as creating the social structure
According to the hymn the hierarchy of the stratification system appears to be inevitable and not the fault of the ruling class
“Rich man in his castle, poor man at his gate, God made them high and lowly, and ordered their estate”
Such myths justify and make legitimate the subordination of the subject class and domination and privilege of the ruling class
A03: Neo Marxists argue in some areas of South America the church explains poverty as a result of government corruption and capitalism-> some radical priests have been involved in politics and joined revolutionary movements

Question 4

3

Answer 4

As justice and rewards would be given in the afterlife the status quo of society need not to be disturbed
This makes life on Earth more bearable-> people have heaven to look forward to-> religion provides a distortion of reality, creating a false consciousness amongst the w/c
Also suggests how religion diverts people’s attention away from the real source of their oppression, the capitalists
A03: Even in communist countries the persecution of religious activity didn’t deter many away from religion as many remained religious-> shows how there is more to religion than just supporting capitalism

Question 5

4

Answer 5

However, Neo Marxists state that religion can be a revolutionary force and is not a force of social control or a conservative force unlike Marxism
In a challenge to traditional Marxism, Gramsci said religion can give people the ideas and means to oppose capitalism
Stated that the ideas of society can be free and independent of the economy-> forms of religion can provide the poor with a way to challenge the dominant ideology of the ruling class by supporting w/c consciousness
A03: Functionalists argue that religion is more likely to be a conservative force, it works to unite people and creates social solidarity