Marx : Religion As Opium Of The People

Question 1

According to Marx what is religion acting as an opium for the people?

Answer 1

Religion acts as a drug to dull/ease the pain produced by oppression
TEMPORARY SOLUTION

Question 2

What are the ways religion is an opium ?

Answer 2

1.) eternal bliss
2.) virtuous suffering
3.) supernatural intervention
4.) legitimate the existing social order
EVIL

Question 3

What is eternal bliss according to Marx : opium of the people ?

Answer 3

Religion promises paradise of eternal bliss after death

Question 4

According to Marx : opium of the people why is eternal bliss negative ?

Answer 4

Makes earth more bearable by giving people something to look forward to

Question 5

According to Marx : opium of the people
What is virtuous suffering?

Answer 5

Religion makes a virtue of the suffering produced by oppression as see it as a justified punishment

Question 6

Example of virtuous suffering?

Answer 6

Makes people accept poverty as desirable , poor = more holy

Question 7

Marx : opium of the people, what is supernatural intervention?

Answer 7

Religion can offer hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth

Question 8

Marx : opium of the people , according to supernatural intervention how is this negative ?

Answer 8

God will deal with affairs/abuse and problems so accepts position

Question 9

Marx : opium of the people , what is legitimate the existing social order ?

Answer 9

Religion justifies the social order and persons position

Question 10

Marx : opium of the people , what does it mean if religion justifies social order ?

Answer 10

If you’re at the bottom God put you there

Question 11

Marx : opium of the people , why is legitimates the existing social order a problem ?

Answer 11

Involves false class consciousness

Question 12

Why is Marx : opium of the people , legitimating the existence of social order creates a false consciousness so what does this mean ?

Answer 12

Prevents people from overthrowing capitalism