Marxist Theories Of Religion

Question 1

Religion provides comfort

Answer 1

The proletariat feel exploited and alienated in the workplace. They then turn to religion for consolation. Religion is the opium of the people as it distracts them from their exploitation through the promise of greatness in the afterlife as the bible teaches that it is hard for a rich man to get into heaven.

Question 2

Evaluation of religion provides comfort

Answer 2

Secularisation is now occurring and people are no longer as religion so they are unlikely to look for comfort in religion and instead turn to science

Question 3

Religion maintains capitalism

Answer 3

Religion is an ideological state apparatus that brainwashes the proletariat into not recognising their exploitation. Religion teaches the poor that their suffering is virtuous and they will be rewarded in the afterlife. This is a spiritual gin which confuses the wc to keep them in their place

Question 4

Evaluation of religion maintains capitalism

Answer 4

Feminists would argue this is gender blind as Marxists ignore how religion also maintains patriarchy

Question 5

Religion legitimates the hierarchy

Answer 5

Religion legitimates the privilege of the bourgeoise. For example to divine right of kings was the idea that the king was gods representative on earth and to disobey his would be challenging god authority. This is mirrored in the Hindu caste system

Question 6

Evaluation of religion legitimates the hierarchy

Answer 6

The law in India now states that you cannot discriminate against someone based on their caste so this idea is no longer relevant