RE: Liberation Theology, Marx Flashcards
what is ‘alienation’?
-estrangement of human beings from their nature or society, resulting in feelings of powerlessness/helplessness.
what does Marx’s theory of alienation state?
- 2 classes of people in society, the proletariat and the bourgeois
- the proletariat exploit the lower classes.
- people who have economic power control the other institutions, religion is one of these instiutions.
- the bourgeois use their control of institutions to keep the masses ignorant of their exploitation.
- under capitalism, the worker becomes alienated from the process of production, particularly in the industrial revolution.
- competition leads to increasing levels of exploitation.
- the proletariat must overthrow the bourgeois and set up society along communist lines.
what was marx’s opinion on religion?
- disagrees with religion because it’s an illusion used to provide excuses for society to work in a particular way.
- people are willing to put up with present suffering for a spiritual reward.
- doesn’t fix the underlying causes of people’s pain and suffering.
- people look to the future instead of making changes now.
how is liberation theology contextual?
-it places the needs of the poor before the rules of the church.
how is liberation theology linked to marx’s teachings?
- Gustavo Gutierrez implicitly used his teachings, Boff and Miranda explicitly discussed the relationship between marxism and christianity.
- liberation theologians use marx as a tool for understanding poverty.
- Leonardo Boff said that marx’s ideas are useful in a Latin American context, however, Jesus is the one true teacher.
what are the 3 ways in which poverty can be viewed?
Empirical view: poverty is just a fact of life. there’s no underlying cause to be addressed.
Functional view: poverty is associated with the backwardness of a country. they’re poor because they’re less developed.
Dialectical view: people are poor because they’re oppressed.
what are the different models of the church according to Avery dulles? (5)
- mystical communion: people bonded in spiritual communion.
- institution: political institution, faded following second Vatican council.
- herald: gathered and formed by the world, preaching gospel is most important.
- servant: helping poor and oppressed.
- sacrament: sign of God’s grace
what is praxis?
change following reflection and action.
how has marxism been used alongside liberation theology in Latin America?
- many corrupt regimes there in the 1970s.
- gustavo guiterrez is a key figure in liberation theology. his teachings have been influenced by marxism but Jesus is the one true teacher so marxism can be used as a guide.
- Gutierrez rejects the idea of charity helping the poor, he rejects the empirical view of poverty and said we need praxis.
should christians prioritise the needs of the poor above all else? for and against.
FOR:
-Leonardo Boff said that the Bible shows a ‘preferential option for the poor’. Jesus sided with the poor. the parable of the sheep and goats shows that those who side with/care for the poor or disadvantaged will be rewarded in heaven. He also said that christianity doesn’t teach that we should just wait for heaven, we should actively confront the political authorities to change society.
-Jesus prioritised the poor and we should follow that example.
-Pope Francis encourages political leaders to give a fair distribution of wealth.
AGAINST:
-the Catholic Church teaches orthodoxy (right thoughts) over orthopraxy (right actions).
-the official doctrines of the church are of primary importance. care for the poor is an important part of christianity but other church teachings are equally as important.
-Joseph Ratzinger and other church leaders were concerned with liberation theology and that secular ideas such as marxism shouldn’t be brought into christianity.
-the image of Jesus as a political revolutionary is inconsistent with the bible.
why should liberation theology engage with marxism?
- liberation theology prefers right action (praxis) over right belief.
- Leonardo Boff said that Marxism can be used as a tool for doing theology.
- at the conference at Medellin, Gustavo Gutierrez encouraged christians to ‘build a new society’. he advocated a ‘preferential option for the poor’ which opposes capitalist ideals.
- Leonardo Boff said that we shouldn’t wait for heaven, we should try to change society now. He also saw Jesus as a liberator.
- Camilo Torres said that christianity should engage more with marxism. words without action are empty.
why should liberation theology not engage with marxism?
- pope John Paul II said that to turn the church into a secular political institution will rob faith in Jesus of its power to change every life.
- the image of Jesus as a political figure is inconsistent with Bible teachings.
- the church’s business is to bring about the kingdom of God, not a marxist utopia.
- Joseph Ratzinger criticised the use of marxism in liberation theology.
