Traditional Marxism

Question 1

Karl Marx

Answer 1

• God was a product of the human mind: “Man makes religion, religion does not make man.”
• Religion is an ideology used by the r/c to control the w/c and prevent revolution.

Question 2

1. Religion is the ‘opium of the people’

Answer 2

• Religion acts like a drug.
• Religion dulls the pain of w/c oppression, making them feel better.
• Religion cushions the effects of oppression.

e. g. attending church service numbs their oppression; enjoy singing hymns and listening to bible readings, which provide hope and comfort.
- suffering is seen as virtuous and they will be rewarded in heaven.

LENIN: Religion is the spiritual gin of the w/c. Religion is a form of escapism. Religion maintains false class consciousness by preventing the w/c from having true understanding of themselves and their situation.

Question 3

2. Religion justifies exploitation

Answer 3

• Religion is man-made and r/c use it to justify their exploitation.
• Religion teaches that a person’s position in society is ‘god-given’.
• the w/c believe that if they behave, then they will be rewarded in heaven.
• This means they don’t challenge their position because if they did, they would be challenging god, which would be a sin.
• Capitalist system continues.

Question 4

3. Religion is an ideology.

Answer 4

• It serves the interest of the r/c.
• Religion justifies the dominance and power of the r/c by saying the hierarchy is ‘god-given’.
• Religious beliefs help to maintain Capitalism, preventing a w/c revolution.

e.g Hindu Caste System. Untouchables did bad things in a past life. Must be good in the present life to be rewarded in their next life.