Marxist theories of religion

how do marxists see society

as divided into 2 classes, one of which exploits the labour of the other.

what is ideology for Marx

a belief system that distorts peoples perception of reality in ways that serve the interests of the ruling class.

what does Marx say owns the control over the production of ideas in society

class controls the production and distribution of ideas in society, through institutions such as the church, the education system and the media.

how does region operate in Marx’s view

as an ideological weapon used by the ruling class to justify the suffering of the poor as something inevitable and god-given

explain religion as an ideological weapon

Marx sees religion as an ideological weapon used by the ruling class to justify the suffering of the poor as something inevitable and god-given

how does religion mislead the poor

misleads them into believing that their suffering is virtuous and that they will be favoured in the after life

example of religion misleading the poor

according to Christianity- it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

what does the misleading nature of religion lead people to think

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

how did Lenin describe religion

as a Spiritual Gin- an intoxicated doled out to the massed by the ruling class to confuse them and keep them in their place.

how do the ruling class use religion in Lenins view

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

how does religion legitimate the power and privilege of the dominant class

by making their position appear to be divinley ordained

what an example of religion legitimating power

the idea of the divine right of kings which was the belief that the king is God’s representative on earth and is owed total obedience.

how does Marx also see religion other than as an ideology

the product of alienation

what is alienation

becoming separated from or losing control over something that one has produced or created

how is alienation more extreme 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.

when does alienation reach its peak

with the detailed divisions of labour in the capitalists factory, where the workers endlessly repeat the same task lacking any meaning or skill

how does alienation under capitalism link with religion

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

how does marx describe religion (direct quote)

“is the opium of the people”

how does religion act an opiate

it dulls the pain of exploitation- but only masks it rather than treating the cause, so relgion masks the underlying problems of exploitation that creates the need for it.

can religion offer any solution to earthly misery

because religion is a distorted view of the world, it can offer no solution to earthly misery.

what does religion do instead of offer solutions to earthly misery

it promises that the afterlife will create an illusory happiness that distracts attention from the true source of the suffering of the poor and under privileges of the ruling class.

evaluation point: what part of relgion does Marx ignore

the positive functions of religion such as psychological adjustments to misfortune

how do Neo-Marxists see certain forms of religion

as assisting not hindering the development of class consciousness

evaluation point: what do some Marxists reject

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’. this would make the concept an inadequate basis for a theory of religion

evaluation point: how can you argue that religion doesn’t function effectively as an ideology

Abercrombie, Hill and Turner argue that in pre- capitalistic society, while Christianity was a major element of ruling class ideology, it had only limited impact on the peasantry

whats another example of religion justifying social inequality

the Hindu Caste system

what is the Hindu Caste system

a system of social stratification based on an ascribed status. you are born into the same caste as your parents and marriage between castes is forbidden

what castes are there in the Hindu system

highest is priests, followed by warrior castes, a merchant caste and the lowest caste of servents and labourers.

what does the doctrine of karma teach in the caste system

that if you behave well in this world by accepting and observing the rules of castes, after death you will be reincarnated into a higher caste

how does the caste system and the doctrine of reincarnation serve to maintain inequality

by assuring those at the bottom of the caste system that their obedience will be rewarded. meanwhile those in the higher caste perceive their privileged position as a reward for their virtue in a previous life.