Marxist Perspective Religion

Question 1

What does Marxism believe around Religion being an Ideology?

Answer 1

1. Justifies suffering as inevitable and God-given, so will be favoured in the afterlife.
2. Acts as an ideological state apparatus to legitimise the power of the ruling class.
3. Lenin - it is a ‘spiritual gin’ as it doles out the masses to keep them in their societal position - a mystical fog that obscures reality.

Question 2

What does Marxism believe around Religion as a product of alienation?

Answer 2

Religion is an opiate of the masses, as it cushions the pain of oppression and exploitation.

Question 3

How does religion cushion the pain of oppression and exploitation?

Answer 3

1. Promises an eventual escape from suffering with a good afterlife.
2. offers hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on Earth, encouraging people to accept their position.
3. Provides a religious explanation and justification for inequality.

Question 4

How else does religion alienate?

Answer 4

Existential security also provides people to become alienated as those with less security (e.g in LEDC’s) have greater demand for religion.

Question 5

What are the positives of the Marxist perspective?

Answer 5

1. Supported by Hinduism and caste system.

Question 6

What are the negatives of the Marxist perspective?

Answer 6

1. Ignores positive functions.
2. Increasing secularisation - how much influence can it have in contemporary society.