marxist theories of religion

• Unlike functionalists, who see society as based on h_____ and c____, Marxists see all societies as divided how?

• In m_____ c____ society, the c_____ class who own the means of p____ e____ the w____ c____.

• In such a society, there is always the potential for c_____ c____, and Marx predicted that the working class would ultimately become c_____ of their e_____ and unite to o_______ c_____.

• This would bring into being a c_____ society in which there would no longer be e_____.

• Unlike functionalists, who see society as based on harmony and consensus, Marxists see all societies as divided into two classes, one of which exploits the labour of the other.

• In modern capitalist society, the capitalist class who own the means of production exploit the working class.

• In such a society, there is always the potential for class conflict, and Marx predicted that the working class would ultimately become conscious of their exploitation and unite to overthrow capitalism.

• This would bring into being a classless society in which there would no longer be exploitation.

• Whereas functionalism sees religion as a u____ force that strengthens the v_____ c____ and is a f_____ of all societies, Marxism sees religion as a feature only of what type of society?

• what happens in a classless society?

• Whereas functionalism sees religion as a unifying force that strengthens the value consensus and is a feature of all societies, Marxism sees religion as a feature only of class-divided society.

• As such, there will be no need for religion in classless society and it will disappear.

Religion as ideology

• For Marx, what is ideology?

• He argues that the p_____ class that controls e____ p____ also controls the p____ and d____ of i____ in society, through institutions such as the c_____, the e____ s____ and the media.

• In Marx's view, religion operates as an i_____ w____ used by the ruling class to l____ (j_____) the suffering of the poor as something i____ and g___-g____

• Religion misleads the poor into believing that their suffering is v____ and that they will be f_____ in the a_____. - For example, Christianity does this how?

• Such ideas create a f____ c____ - a d_____ view of r____ that prevents the p____ from acting to c___ their situation.

Religion as ideology

• For Marx, ideology is a belief system that distorts people's perception of reality in ways that serve the interests of the ruling class.

• He argues that the prominent class that controls economic production also controls the production and distribution of ideas in society, through institutions such as the church, the education system and the media.

• In Marx's view, religion operates as an ideological weapon used by the ruling class to legitimate (justify) the suffering of the poor as something inevitable and god-given

• . Religion misleads the poor into believing that their suffering is virtuous and that they will be favoured in the afterlife. - For example, according to Christianity, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

• Such ideas create a false consciousness - a distorted view of reality that prevents the poor from acting to change their situation.

Religion as ideology

• Similarly, L____ (1870-1924) describes religion as 'spiritual gin' - what does this mean?

• In Lenin's view, the ruling class use r____ c_____ to m____ the masses and keep them from attempting to o____ the ruling class by creating a 'm____ f___' that obscures reality.

Religion as ideology

• Similarly, Lenin (1870-1924) describes religion as 'spiritual gin' - an intoxicant given out to the population by the ruling class to confuse them and keep them in their place.

• In Lenin's view, the ruling class use religion cynically to manipulate the masses and keep them from attempting to overthrow the ruling class by creating a 'mystical fog' that obscures reality.

Religion as ideology

• Religion also legitimates the p____ and p____ of the d____ class by making their position appear to be d____ o____.

• For example, the ___^th century idea of the D____ R____ of K____ was the belief that the king is God's r____ on e____ and is owed t____ o____

• Therefore D_____ is not just i_____, but a s____ c____ to God's a_____.

Another example of religion justifying social inequality is Hindu caste system- explain how?

Religion as ideology

• Religion also legitimates the power and privilege of the dominant class by making their position appear to be divinely ordained.

• For example, the 16^th century idea of the Divine Right of Kings was the belief that the king is God's representative on earth and is owed total obedience.

• Therefore Disobedience is not just illegal, but a sinful challenge to God's authority.

Another example of religion justifying social inequality is Hindu caste system:

• People are born into a fixed caste, with strict rules about marriage, behaviour, and purity.

• The doctrines of karma and reincarnation teach that accepting one’s caste will lead to rebirth into a higher caste, while disobedience leads to punishment.

• This encourages lower castes, especially Dalits, to accept inequality, while higher castes see their privilege as deserved, helping maintain the system.

Religion and alienation

• M____ (18___) also sees religion as the product of alienation.

• Alienation involves becoming s____

• Alienation exists in all class societies, but in which condition is it most extreme?

• Under capitalism, workers are alienated because they do not o____ what they p____ and have no c___ over the p____ p_____, and thus no f____ to express their t____ n____ as c____ b____.

• Alienation reaches a peak with the detailed d____ of l____ in the c____ factory, where the worker e____ repeats the same minute task, devoid of all m_____ or s___.

Religion and alienation

• Marx (1844) also sees religion as the product of alienation.

• Alienation involves becoming separated

• Alienation exists in all class societies, but it is more extreme under capitalism.

• Under capitalism, workers are alienated because they do not own what they produce and have no control over the production process, and thus no freedom to express their true nature as creative beings.

• Alienation reaches a peak with the detailed division of labour in the capitalist factory, where the worker endlessly repeats the same minute task, devoid of all meaning or skill.

Religion and alienations

• In these d_____ conditions, the e____ turn to religion as a form of c____.

• As Marx puts it, religion: ‘is the o_____ of the p____’

• Religion acts as an o____ (m____) to dull the pain of e____.

• But just as o_____ m____ pain rather than treating its c____, so does religion masks the u_____ problem of e_____- because religion is a d____ view of the world, it can offer no solution to e____ m____.

• Instead, its promises of the afterlife create an i____ h____ that distracts a____ from the true source of the s____, namely c___.

• Thus, Marx sees religion as the product of a____. It arises out of s____ and acts as a c____ for it, but fails to deal with its c____, namely class e____.

• Religion also acts as an i____ that legitimates what 2 things?

Religion and alienations

• In these dehumanising conditions, the exploited turn to religion as a form of consolation.

• As Marx puts it, religion: ‘is the opium of the people’

• Religion acts as an opiate (medicine) to dull the pain of exploitation.

• But just as opium masks pain rather than treating its cause, so does religion masks the underlying problem of exploitation- because religion is a distorted view of the world, it can offer no solution to earthly misery.

• Instead, its promises of the afterlife create an illusory happiness that distracts attention from the true source of the suffering, namely capitalism.

• Thus, Marx sees religion as the product of alienation. It arises out of suffering and acts as a consolation for it, but fails to deal with its cause, namely class exploitation.

• Religion also acts as an ideology that legitimates both the suffering of the poor and the privileges of the ruling class.

Evaluation- strengths

• What is a strength of the Marxist view of religion?

Evaluation- strengths

• ✓- Marx shows how religion may be a tool of oppression that masks exploitation and creates false consciousness.

Evaluation- strengths

✘- However, he ignores positive functions of religion, such as p_____ a____ to m____.

• Religion can help individuals cope with m____, g____, or u____ by providing c____, h___, and m____, which can reduce an____ and e____5 d___5 and help people continue f___ in society.

✘-Neo-Marxists argue that some forms of religion can p____ class consciousness rather than s____ it.

• For example, l____ t____ encourages the poor to r_____ i____ and c____ e_____, using religious beliefs to support s____ c____ rather than passive a___.

✘-Some Marxists, such as A____ (1971), reject the concept of a____

• A____ (1971), rejects the concept of alienation as u____ and based it assumes people have a “r___” or “t____” self that s____ t____ a____ and there’s no s___ way to prove that.

• This would make the concept an i____ b____ for a theory of religion.

✘- Religion does not necessarily function e_____ as an ideology to c____ the p____.

For example, A____, H___ and T____ (2015) argue that in p___-c___ society, while Christianity was a major element of ruling-class ideology, it had only limited impact on the who?.

Evaluation- strengths

✘- However, he ignores positive functions of religion, such as psychological adjustment to misfortune.

• Religion can help individuals cope with misfortune, grief, or uncertainty by providing comfort, hope, and meaning, which can reduce anxiety and emotional distress and help people continue functioning in society.

✘-Neo-Marxists argue that some forms of religion can promote class consciousness rather than suppress it.

• For example, liberation theology encourages the poor to recognise injustice and challenge exploitation, using religious beliefs to support social change rather than passive acceptance.

✘-Some Marxists, such as Althusser (1971), reject the concept of alienation

• Althusser (1971), rejects the concept of alienation as unscientific and based it assumes people have a “real” or “true” self that society takes away and there’s no scientific way to prove that.

• This would make the concept an inadequate basis for a theory of religion.

✘- Religion does not necessarily function effectively as an ideology to control the population.

For example, Abercrombie, Hill and Turner (2015) argue that in pre-capitalist society, while Christianity was a major element of ruling-class ideology, it had only limited impact on the peasantry.