Marxist theory

Marx

the bourgeosie use religion to legitimise the suffering of the proletariate as something inevitable and god-given.

religion as ideology - Althusser

religion would be an ISA, marx argues that the ruling class controls the distribution of ideas in society through institutions like church, media and the education system.

religion and alienation - Marx

alienation causes people to feel spiritually deprived and lonely, religion fills that gap. Marx sees religion as a product of alienation.

"religion is the opium of the people" - Marx

religion is a drug that keeps w/c in the exploiting system, masking pain rather than treating the cause. it only offers promises of illusionary happiness distracting them from the source of suffering: capitalism

Lenin - Spiritual Gin

argues that the ruling class use religion to evilly manipulate the w/c, preventing a revolution by creating a mystical fog that obscures reality.

example of spiritual gin - Lenin

religion legitimates the position of the ruling class by making their position look divinely ordained. e.g. divine right of kings (king was chosen by God)

neo-marxism - critique

religion can assist the development of class consciousness rather than hindering it.

hill and turner - critique

argues that in pre-capitalist society, christianity only had a limited impact on peasants despite being a major element of ruling class ideology, suggesting religion doesn't function as an ISA to control the population.