Religion as a conservative force- Marxism

Question 1

What did Marx say was the first requisite for the happiness of the people?

Answer 1

The abolition of religion

Question 2

Marx key ideas on religion

Answer 2

• rejected the church
• religion is a social construction used to maintain capitalism
• conservative force designed to prevent social change

Question 3

What are the 2 main functions of religion according to Marx?

Answer 3

1) It acted as the ‘opium of the people’, cushioning the pain of oppression and exploitation in unequal societies
2) It legitimised and maintained the power of the ruling class

Question 4

What did Marx mean when he described religion as the ‘opium of the people’?

Answer 4

Religion acts like a pain-relieving drug which provides purpose and some control for the oppressed
- helps them to overcome the effects of alienation
- ‘smokescreen’ - blind people from the realities of life

Question 5

What are the 3 ways religion ‘eases the pain of oppression?

Answer 5

1) Religion promises an eventual escape
2) Religion offers hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth
3) Religion provides a religious explanation and justification for inequality

Question 6

1) Religion promises and eventual escape

Answer 6

If people believe that God is testing their faith, they are less likely to try and change or improve their circumstances as they believe they will be rewarded in the afterlife for accepting their position- suffering n oppression

Question 7

2) Religion offers hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth

Answer 7

The promise of future, new paradise, heavenly gov
- encourages people to accept their position and not act to change society
- god will do something/intervene to help- prevent people from changing it themselves

Question 8

3) Religion provides a religious explanation and justificaton for inequality

Answer 8

Indian caste system, you do not obey strict rules and accept position in social hierarchy, will be reborn on a lower level (reincarnation)

Question 9

Short summary of 3 ways religions eases oppression

Answer 9

1- afterlife/salvation
2- supernatural intervention
3- justification of inequality/hierarchy

Question 10

What does Marx suggest as a solution?

Answer 10

Communism
- religion would not longer be present in communist society, as there would be no inequality to be justified

Question 11

What does Lenin describe religion as?

Answer 11

‘Religion is a kind of spiritual gin in which the slaves of capital drown their human shape and their claims to any decent life’

Question 12

What is Lenin’s second argument surrounding religion?

Answer 12

Argues that the RC uses religion to manipulate the masses which keeps them from attempting to overthrow their oppressors (RC) by creating a ‘mystical fog’ that distorts their reality

Question 13

What is an Ideological State Apparatus?

Answer 13

A way of passing on dominant ideology thoughts, ideas
ALTHUSSER- Family, Education, Religion

Question 14

How may religion be seen as an ISA?
ALTHUSSER

Answer 14

Religion teaches the acceptance of an authoritative figure
- obedience to a higher power
- reinforces obedience to authority

Question 15

What is meant by a Repressive State Apparatus?

Answer 15

A way of physically controlling people
- police, law, army, courts

Question 16

Is religion an RSA?
ALTHUSSER

Answer 16

Women- clothing, abortion, contraception
Laws- reproductive rights
Food- kosha, halal meat
A religion as a law removes freedom

Question 17

Evidence to support the Marxist theory of religion?

Answer 17

• Crowning of the monarch in church
• Justification of slavery
• Hindu Caste System

Question 18

How does the crowning of the monarch in the church support the Marxist theory of religion?

Answer 18

Religious place/leader, gives religion the power to do so, God chose him to be in power/control
- the church aligns with people in power

Question 19

How does the justification of slavery support the Marxist theory of religion?

Answer 19

One person to have power over another based on religious beliefs

Question 20

How does the Hindu Caste System support the Marxist theory of religion?

Answer 20

Hinduism- prevents anyone from changing their hierarchal position
- cannot have a job in other ranks, or marry from other ranks
- you are born into a ranking, determines your social status

Question 21

Challenges to the Marxist theory of religion

Answer 21

X gives people a sense of fulfilment, belonging, purpose, comfort
X ignores the positive functions and role religion performs- Func
X problematic to view religion as +/-, personal experience, they’re in charge
X communist societies may not be less exploitative
- the state is in power
X different types/definitions of religion
X rise in Christianity in China (communist), expect there to be no religion

Question 22

What does neo-marxist Turner do?

Answer 22

Challenge traditional Marxist views of religion

Question 23

What does Turner mean by economic and repressive control?

Answer 23

Economic- wealth
Repressive- law, prison
These are more effective in controlling people/masses
- taking way someones wages, putting them in prison is more of a threat

Question 24

Why has the nature of capitalism changed according to Turner?

Answer 24

• business corporations dominate capital
• harder to identify oppressors
• shareholders etc, capitalism has changed

Question 25

Why may state determined forms of religion not have has as much power as Marx thought?
TURNER

Answer 25

Emphasises the role of religion, peasants practise religions not enforced by the state
- lots of WC didn’t believe in the Church of England belief system- paganism
- couldn’t have had the ideological power if lots of people did not follow it

Question 26

What does neo-Marxist Marcuse believe?

Answer 26

That the ‘gods of consumerism’ have replaced religious god

Question 27

Marcuse
What is commodity fetishism?

Answer 27

The idea that we are obsessed with buying new products
- new religion upholding capitalism

Question 28

Marcuse
What evidence is there that consumerism is the new ‘religion’?

Answer 28

• go to places like meadowhall (shopping centres)
• god of consumerism is maintaining capitalism
• Macheads- worship apple technology

Question 29

What are the similarities between the Marxist and Functionalist theories of religion?

Answer 29

Both think religion is a conservative force

Question 30

What are the differences between Marxism and Functionalist theories of religion?

Answer 30

F- think it is a good thing, keeps tradition
M- think it is a bad thing, maintains capitalism