Marxist Perspective: conservative force

Question 1

Marx thought religion did 2 main things

Answer 1

Acted as opium of the people

Legitimized and maintained the power of the ruling class

Question 2

Marxist approach eases oppression in 3 ways

Answer 2

1. Promises eventual escape from suffering and oppression after
2. Religion sometimes offers hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth
3. Provides religious explanation and justification for inequality

Question 3

Religion and the power of the ruling class

Answer 3

See as an instrument of social control and oppression, used to justify their power and material wealth

Question 4

Overview

Answer 4

Used by bourgiosie to oppress w/c to benefit them

Question 5

Key ideas

Answer 5

Form of mystification 
Form of alienation 
Spiritual gin 
Distortion of reality
Justification of class inequality

Question 6

Key people

Answer 6

Karl Marx

Althusser

Question 7

Criticisms

Answer 7

Secularization
Doesn’t explain non oppressive religion
Ignores positive roles religion can have

Question 8

Religion and the power of the ruling-class

Answer 8

Inequalities of wealth, income and power portrayed as god-given so therefore legitimised and inevitable. In past religion has justified power of kings through a doctrine called the ‘Divine Right of Kings’.

Question 9

Explanation for how religion acts as a barrier to social change

Answer 9

Many religious organisations, such as The Church of England are conservative organisations with lots of power and influence on politics. Teachings on marriage, divorce and abortion, accept, justify and promote dominant norms and values in society and in general support status quo and existing power structures.