Marxism and Christianity

Why is LT being influenced by Marx controversial ?

Marx was against religion and therefore- LT is influenced by an anti religious theory

What did Marx say religion stands in the way of?

Progress of peasants and workers standing up to oppression

How does religion prevent workers and peasants from rising up to oppression?

Religion manipulates peasants and workers to accept their position in society in exchange for reward in the after life

What did Marx call religion?

The “opiate of the people”

Why does Marx call religion an “opiate”

An opiate does two things:


1. Dulls pain
2. Prevents action - so does religion

Who does religion perpetuates the status of?

Religion perpetuates the status of those in power

What examples are there of religion perpetuating those in power and preventing progression?

1. Divine right of kings
2. Sale of indulgences
3. Priests only reading bible in Latin (illegal to translate)

How can LT prove Marx wrong?

If christianity was reformed among liberation theology doctrines it wouldn’t be the tool of capitalist exploitation and therefore anti-religious arguments do not apply to liberation theology

Who is LT not accepted by?

Most catholics

Why do LT’s believe there is no incoherence between Christianity and Marxism?

LT’s don’t have to accept Marxist anti religious arguments

Who accepted Marxist views on capitalism but not religion?

Gutierrez and Boff

What can LT draw on from Marx?

LT can draw on Marx’ “methodological pointers” to help understand the role of the oppressed

What is the LT an attempt to do?

Faithfully follow Jesus’ teachings to help the poor, using Marxism to do so- helps Christian’s be true to teachings of Christ

Why does A.F McGovern say LT’s are not Marxists?

They don’t start with analysis of class struggle

Why did Ratzinger argue against LT?

Marxist influence

What did Ratzinger say was at the centre of Marxism ?

Atheism and the denial of human rights

What is Marxism for Ratzinger?

Intrinsically unchristian

What does Ratzinger say we cannot view Marxism as?

a lens by which we view society

What does Ratzinger say we should learn from ?

The violent regimes of the 20th century

How do catholics say we should help the poor?

In their own way such as giving to charity

What quote does Dom Helder Camara say about LT?

“When i give them food, they call me a saint. When i ask why they have no food they call me a communist”

What is Dom Helder Camara against?

Labelling LT’s as Marxists

How can it be argued that the church is fulfilling Marx’ critique?

By refusing to accept LT and dealing with structural causes of poverty

Why is Jesus’ criticism of capitalism no longer valid ?

Only valid for his time as capitalism and opportunity have evolved

what does Adam Smith say about Human nature ?

Selfish

If our human nature is selfish why is a capitalist system the best one?

To satisfy selfishness you have to provide others with products or services

What do countries with capitalist systems usually uphold?

Human rights

What percentage of the world lived in poverty in 1960 in comparison to 2012?

1960- 70% of world lived in extreme poverty

2012- 17% of world living in extreme poverty- capitalism working

What can capitalism be seen as?

The truly liberating approach

What has the desire for a utopian world in the past led to?

Failure

What has not improved however since capitalism ?

The income inequality which is de stabilising

Why is globalisation a further danger of capitalism?

Allows power to be concentrated in the hands of the few- creating monopolies