Marxist theory of religion (conservative)

Question 1

religion as a conservative force

Answer 1

-Marx thought religion was a part of the superstructure of capitalist society and an ideological apparatus which maintained class inequalities

Question 2

3 ways religion is ideological

Answer 2

-Religion as an ideology
-Religion and alienation
-Religion as the opium of the people

Question 3

Religion as an ideology

Answer 3

-ruling class control distribution of ideas
-justifies the poor’s position as inevitable and god-given
-creates false consciousness and makes the poor seem divinely ordained/ rewarded in afterlife
-e.g. Hindu caste system

Question 4

Religion and alienation

Answer 4

-alienation= separate from what you produce and no freedom for creativity
-alienation reaches a peak when workers are forced to do the same task, devoid of meaning
-bc this is dehumanising the exploited turn to religion for consolation

Question 5

Religion as the opium of the ppl

Answer 5

-religion dulls pain of exploitation
-religion/ afterlife create an illusory happiness that distracts attention from true source of suffering
-some religions explain poverty as a test of their commitment to God
-religion produces passive/fatalistic ppl who don’t try to change the world

Question 6

Halevy

Answer 6

-Methodism prevented revolution in Br in 19th century
-workers left CoE bc of dissatisfaction w/ capitalist society
-but joined Methodism which still influenced them
-where workers didn’t join methodism they were in revolutionary violent protest

Question 7

Protestant moral majority movement

Answer 7

-uphold conservative, anti-communist views
-suggest that wealth/prosperity are signs of God’s favour
-poverty and illness indicate sin
-reinforces that inequality is inevitable/ God Given

Question 8

Leach

Answer 8

-80% of bishops in CoE were educated at priv schls and Oxbridge

Question 9

ETV

Answer 9

-ignores positives of religion
-may not act as ideological control e.g. Abercrombie, Hill, Turner= Christianity had little impact on peasants
-decline in Western countries so is no longer needed to maintain RC power
-may not always support status quo e.g. Liberation Theology