Marx on Religion

What is Marx’s view on religion?

• Marx viewed society through a scientific perspective and saw religion as a conservative force

• Marx viewed religion as a form of ideology that controlled the masses

• Religion served the needs of capitalism as it maintained the oppressive structure of society

What is the organisation of society?

• Marx suggested society was organised based upon two structures: The infrastructure and The superstructure

• The infrastructure was the economic base of society- The unequal relationship between the bourgeoisie and The proletariat

• The Superstructure maintained this inequality by spreading the ideology of the ruling class through social institutions, including religion

What is religion as an ideology?

• Religion promoted the idea that the hierarchy of society was unequal because this was God’s will

• Promoted ideas that were aligned with the spread of capitalism- individualism, meritocracy and sacrifice

• Inequalities were seen as being due to God’s will the poor were sinners, and the wealthy were righteous

What is the ‘Opium of the People’?

• The supernatural nature of inequality promoted by religious organisations

• Rewards for hard work would come in the afterlife which maintained the motivation of the poor to continue to walk

• Religion was the ‘opium of the people’- Provides temporary relief from the oppression of capitalism

What is religion as a conservative force?

• Religion offers no aid to those in poverty, merely a brief respite- it actively maintains inequality in society

• Religion inhibits social change and this results in inequality being maintained

• Religion prevents revolution, by temporarily alleviating revolutionary fervor

What are the evaluations of Marx?

• Marx ignores the positive aspects of religion for individuals- A sense of belonging, collectivism and charity

• Marx ignores the spiritual elements of religion, suggesting it functions of Eastern religions

• Ignores the ability of individuals to reject structural influences and demonstrate agency

• Centred on a critique of Western society, ignoring the functions of Eastern religions