Marxist Theories Of Religion

What does Marxism see religion as a feature of?

Only a class-divided society. As such, there will be no need for religion in classless society and it will dissapear.

For Marx, what is ideology?

A belief system that distorts people’s perception of reality in ways that serve the interests of the ruling class. He argues that the class that controls economic production also controls the production and distribution of ideas in society through instutions.

In Marx’s view, what does religion operate as?

An ideological weapon used by the ruling class to legitimate the suffering of the poor as something inevitable and God-given.

What does religion mislead the poor into believing?

That their suffering is virtuous and that they will be favoured in the afterlife. Such ideas create a false consciousness - a distorted view of reality that prevents the poor from acting to change their situation.

What does Lenin describe religion as?

‘Spiritual gin‘ - an intoxicant doled out to the masses by the ruling class to keep them in their place.

In Lenin’s view, what do the ruling class use religion cynically to do?

Manipulate the masses and keep them from attempting to overthrow the ruling class by creating a ‘mystical fog‘ that obscures reality.

What does religion also leg imitate?

The power and privilege of the class by making their position appear to be divinely ordained.

What does Marx also see religion as the product of?

Alienation.

What does Alienation involve?

Becoming separated from or losing control over something that that one has produced or created. It exists in all class societies, but is more extreme under capitalism, where workers are alienated as 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.

When does alienation reach 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 and skill. In these dehumanising conditions, the exploited turn to religion as a form of consolation.

How did Marx famously describe religion?

As the ‘opium of the people‘.

How does religion act as an opiate?

To dull the pain of exploitation. But just as opium masks pain rather than treating its cause, religion masks the underlying problem of exploitation that creates the need for it. Because religion is a distorted view of the world, it can offer no offer to earthly misery. Instead, its promises of the afterlife create an illusory happiness that distracts attention from the true source of the suffering - capitalism.

Why does Marx see religion as the production 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.

What does Marx show?

How religion may be used as a tool of oppression that masks exploitation and creates false consciousness.

What does Marx ignore?

The positive functions of religion, such as psychological adjustment to misfortune. Neo-Marxists see certain forms of religion as assisting not hindering the development of class consciousness.

What do some Marxists, such as Althusser reject?

The concept of alienation as unscientific and based on a romantic idea that human beings have a ‘true self‘.

What is a limitation of Marx’s theory of religion?

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

What do Abercrombie, Hill and Turner argue?

That in pre-capitalist society, while Christianity was a major element of ruling-class ideology, it has only limited impact on the peasentry.