Marxist Theory of Religion

Religion as Ideology
1. Religion legitimises the suffering of poor as inevitable and 'God-given'. E.g. In Christianity "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven"
2. Creates a 'false consciousness' - distorted view of reality that prevents poor from trying to change.
3. Lenin - Religion is 'spiritual gin'. Obscures reality for working class to prevent them from overthrowing ruing class
4. Legitimates the power of ruling class as divine right. E.g, Royalty is God's representation, making disobedience a sinful challenge
  1. Christianity: " To resist power is to resist God"
  2. Hindu 'Caste System'
Religion and Alienation
1. Alienation is more extreme under capitalism: workers do not own what they produce
2. Workers have no freedom. Turn to religion to dull the pain.
  1. "Religion is the opium of the people"
  2. No solution to the problems on Earth
    1. Promises the afterlife as an illusion of a solution
3. Legitimises both the suffering of the poor and power of the ruling class
Evaluation
1. Ignores positives such as psychological adjustment to misfortune
2. Some Marxists see alienation as 'non-scientific' and therefore inadequate theory. E,g. Althusser (1971).
3. Abercrombie and Turner (1978) - Religion is ineffective as ideology. E.g. Pre-capitalist Christianity had limited impact on peasants.
In communist society, religion ceases to exist because there is no need for it

Resource summary

	Created by JJ Ralph over 8 years ago