Theories of Religion - Traditional Marxists Flashcards
What do traditional Marxists see religion as?
See as a conservative force
- helps keep capitalism in place and prevents the WC overthrowing the RC
Religion helps the WC cope with the alienation
-they have no power and control over their lives because they are oppressed and exploited by the RC
What did traditional Marxists Marx mean by “the opium of the people”?
Meant that religion was a man-made creation that dulled the pain of alienation and exploitation felt by the WC
Religion appears to offer hope to the WC but this is an illusion created by the RC ideology
Religion therefore leaves the WC in a state of false class consciousness: they accept capitalism because they are unaware of the true nature of their situation
How does traditional Marxists Marx view of religion being “the opium of the people” benefit capitalism?
Benefits the RC because their position is never threatened and capitalism therefore continues
What did traditional Marxists Lenin mean by religion acting as the ‘spiritual gin’?
Religion is a form of escapism - it numbs and blinds peoples awareness of the reality around them
Keeps them unaware of their exploitation and their true situation so they accept capitalism and never challenge it
What would happen to religion in a communist society?
Religion wouldn’t exist because there wouldn’t be a working class and ruling class
Used in a capitalist society to distract the WC from their oppression so if there isn’t a working class and ruling class there wouldn’t be a need for religion - wouldn’t be needed to distract them from their oppression as they wouldn’t be being oppressed by the RC as there wouldn’t be one
How does religion maintain capitalism?
Events are controlled by a supernatural power
-can only influence through prayer, not protest
The existing social order is God-given which explains and justifies inequality
The promise of an afterlife if people accept their misery without question
What are the criticisms of traditional Marxists views of religion?
Neo-Marxists argue that religion can be a radical force for change
Secularisation has reduced the significance of religion in society so it is hard to see how religion can keep the SC in a false class consciousness
Functionalists argue Marx ignored the positive effects of religion, such as support at times of life crises
Religion didn’t die out in many communist societies
- e.g. Roman Catholicism remained popular in Poland and even acted as a means of opposition to communist rule
Feminists argue Marxists ignore how religion reinforces patriarchy
