Traditional Marxism

Question 1

What type of theory is Marxism?

Answer 1

Structural, macro, conflict

Argues that S = based on inequality + conflict between social groups

Question 2

What do Marxists argue shapes everything within a society?

Answer 2

Economic base of S determines everything
This means, capitalist economy = what shapes all aspects of S
Including our beliefs + ideas

Question 3

What do Marxists see religion as?

Answer 3

Ideological state apparatus (ISA)

Used to reproduce + legitimate the rc ideology + inequality between the classes

Question 4

What are ISAs used for?

Answer 4

Capitalist system shapes the ISAs + uses them to spread the rc ideology

Question 5

What should ALWAYS mention when talking about Marx?

Answer 5

Marx was the 1st critical view of religion

Question 6

When did Marx write about religion?

Answer 6

1884

Question 7

“Man makes religion, religion does not make man”

Who said this + what does it mean?

Answer 7

Marx

Suggesting that like Functionalists, Marxists believe that religion = man-made to perform some functions in S

Question 8

How are Marxists and Functionalists similar?

Answer 8

Both see religion as a social construct, designed to perform some functions in S

Question 9

How is the Marxist view of religion different to that of Functionalists?

Answer 9

Functionalists: religion = beneficial to whole of S by providing social solidarity + acting as ‘social glue’

Marxists: religion works to maintain the class ÷ + the power of the rc

Question 10

What 2 ideological functions of religion did Marx identify?

Answer 10

1. Used as instrument of oppression by rc

2. Used y wc to cushion the effects of oppression

Question 11

Why does Marx argue that religion is an ‘instrument of oppression’?

Answer 11

Religion produces + justifies inequality in S
Suggests that existing social order = ‘God given’
Positions of bourgeoisie + proletariat = decided by God, not to be disputed

Question 12

“It’s easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”

What part of the Bible is this from?

Answer 12

Matthew 19:24

Question 13

What is the quote form Matthew 19:24 that can be used to show how religion reinforces and justifies oppression?

Answer 13

“It’s easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”

Question 14

What is a contemporary example of how religion can be used to reinforce and justify oppression of the wc?

Answer 14

The Hindu caste system
S = split into 5 groups (names in pack)
They believe that when they’re reincarnated , brought back into caste above the one they’re currently in

Question 15

What is ‘Endogamy’?

Answer 15

Marrying within the same social group/ class
e.g. in Hindu caste system = mandatory for members to marry within the same class

Question 16

Why does Marx argue that religion is a ‘cushion of oppression’?

Answer 16

Religion = ‘opium of the people’
It dulls the senses + relieves the pain of oppression
Helps wc cope

Question 17

What is Opium?

Answer 17

= drug that dulls the senses + relieves pain

Marx compares religion to this, used by wc to ease pain of their oppression

Question 18

What does religion produce in the wc?

Answer 18

Religion masks the oppression
Result in false class consciousness
wc = unaware of their oppression + therefore don’t do anything to change it
PREVENTS A PROLETARIAT REVOLUTION

Question 19

Give 3 ways that religion keeps capitalism going

Answer 19

1. Promise of an after-life (Heaven/ Paradise in Islam)
2. Idea that suffering = virtuous (poor will be rewarded on judgement day)
3. Praying for a supernatural intervention to end poverty/ exploitation

Question 20

What did Lenin argue?

Answer 20

Uses term ‘spiritual gin’
Religion = seen as form of escapism, numbs + blinds people’s awareness to reality around them
Acts as relief from the harsh realities of capitalism

Question 21

What do Marxists generally regard religion as?

Answer 21

Acts as theodicy of dispriveledge

- religion acts as set of explanations of inequality

Question 22

What evidence does Leach offer to support the traditional Marxist view?

Answer 22

C of E supports the upper class + does little to reduce inequality
80% of Bishops attend independent schools + Oxbridge

Question 23

How is Marxism useful to our understanding of religion?

Answer 23

Recognises that religion plays role in shaping false class consciousness by controlling the ideas of the wc

Question 24

How do Functionalists criticise the Marxist view of religion?

Answer 24

Marxists ignore the +ve functions of religion

e. g. comfort it brings people in life crisis (death)
e. g. some churches help the poor (majority of homeless shelters = run by church groups)

Question 25

How do Neo-Marxists criticise traditional Marxists?

Answer 25

Traditional Marxism = too economically deterministic
Capitalism doesn’t necessarily determine rest of S
Religion CAN therefore be used to overthrow the capitalist system

Question 26

What is a criticism of the Traditional Marxism view if we assume that S today is more secular?

Answer 26

If less religious, is it still a form of social control?

Can’t act as an ideological controlling force

Question 27

What did Marx predict would happen with communism in S?

How can this be criticised?

Answer 27

Religion would disappear; people would no longer suffer from a false class consciousness
Religion wouldn't need to be used as an instrument of oppression/ to cushion the effects of oppression I a classless S
HOWEVER religion continues to flourish in Soviet Union despite attempts to restrict religiosity
- indicates religion must fulfil other functions