Marxism religion and change

How does Marxists view religion?

Whilst they are thought to see it as a tool for capitalism, they instead recognise that religion has its own relative autonomy - they are independent from the economic base of society -

Marx does not entirely view religion as negative, describing it as ‘the soul for the soulless’. He argues religion is capable of humanising a capitalist exploited society.

What does Engels argue?

That religion has a dual character. It prevents change by disguising inequality but also challenges the status quo and entourages social change. For example, religion sometimes preaches liberation from slavery and misery.

How does Bloch view religion?

He agrees with Engels and also views religion as having a dual character. He argues religion can prevent but also inspire change and rebellion.

Bloch argues religion is a ‘principle of hope’- our dreams of a better life/ utopia

The idea of picturing a utopia means people can vision the change they want to see within the world.

What is the liberation theology?

Liberation theology is a religious movement that developed within the Catholic Church in Latin America in the late 1960s. It focuses on helping the poor and oppressed and actively opposes social injustice and military dictatorships.

It represented a significant shift in the Catholic Church’s role in the region. Traditionally, the Church had been highly conservative, encouraging people to accept poverty as God’s will (fatalism) and often supporting wealthy elites and authoritarian military governments. Liberation theology rejected this approach and instead argued that the Church should take action to challenge inequality and oppression, using Christian teachings to promote social change rather than passive acceptance.

What are the three factors that led to liberation theology?

• Deepening rural poverty and the growth of urban slums throughout Latin America

• Human rights abuse following military take-overs such as torture and death squads murdering political opponents such as Brazil and Chile

• The growing commitment among Catholic priests to an ideology that supported the poor and opposed violations of human rights.

How did the liberation theology movement loose its influence?

During the 1970s priests were often the only authority figures who took the side of the oppressed when dictatorships would hold power. However, during the 1980s the Church’s’ official attitude changed, condemning liberation theology as it was too political and close to Marxism.

What does Maduro think about religion and what type of theorist is he? + disagree?

Maduro is a neo Marxist that argued religion is also a dual character can support the dominant class, but is not necessarily an "opium" of the masses. It has its own relative autonomy from the ruling class and economic base of society and this is evident from the liberation theology movement.

However, many Marxist disagree as they may helped bring democracy but did not threaten the stability of capitalism.

What is Lehmann’s difference between liberation theology and Pentecostalism?

Liberation theology offers radical solutions to poverty and collective improvement through pollical action in the public whilst Pentecostalism’s solutions are more conservative: individual self-improvement through private sphere of family and church.

What is the Millenarian movement and what did Worsley argue?

Millenarian movements use religion to inspire hope and radical social change in the present world, not just in the afterlife. These movements believe that Christ will return to rule before the end of the world.

According to Worsley, millenarian movements expect this change as about to happen and collective (saving the group rather than individuals), and to remove suffering, injustice, and corruption from the world.

What did Gramsci argue about religion?

He was interested in how the ruling class maintain their control. He uses the term hegemony which refers to the way ruling class use ideological dominance to maintain their power. For example the ideological power of the Catholic church in the 1920s to help win support of Mussolini’s fascist regime.

Gramsci agrees with Engels that the dual character within religion can counter attack this.