marxism

• Marx-

  -Believed the advent of communism would mean religion would no longer be necessary

  -Since the means of production would communally be owned by all members of society

  -Religions sole purpose is to legitimate ruling class power
• Slavery-

  -In slave societies, slave masters tried to convert African slaves to European religions

  -Supports Marxist view because slave masters saw religion as a way of controlling their slaves, preventing rebellions as they have control over their slaves' beliefs
• The Hindu caste system-

  -In traditional Hinduism, people were divided unto castes (social classes) based upon their supposed degree of religious purity.

  -Supports Marxist view because since no movement was permitted between castes so ensured ruling class maintained their power.
• The New Christian Right-

  -Very religious Christians in the US with highly conservative and pro-capitalist views

  -Supports Marxist view because they justify free-market capitalism which supports the interest of the ruling class, in religious terms, thereby legitimising ruling class power
• Evangelical Christianity in Latin America-

  -The New Christian Right have encouraged the spread of of Protestant religious beliefs in predominantly Catholic Latin American Cultures.

  -Supports Marxist view because these beliefs provide religious discipline and hope for salvation in the afterlife, leading to them supporting US-style capitalism.
• Superstructure of capitalism-

  -Religion suggests that inequality is God given and therefore unchangeable and teaches the poor that poverty is a test from God.

  -Therefore, maintaining capitalism
• Criticisms-

  -Functionalism- ignores the positive benefits of religion to society (shared norms and values) which are necessary for society to function effectively. Religion benefits everyone not just the ruling class.

  -Secularization- Religion seems to have declined in many Western societies so is no longer needed to maintain ruling-class power.

  -Feminism- Religion acts to preserve male, patriarchal power, not ruling-class power. Marxists ignore gender inequality.

  -Narrow focus- only focuses on one possible role of religion and ignores broader range of effects.
• Religion as a radical force (Engels)-

  -Recognized religion didn't always act as a conservative force supporting the interests of ruling class.

  -Religion usually started off amongst oppressed groups in society as a way of coping with their oppression.

  -Religion is therefore a source of resistance to oppressors and therefore a force for change.
• The 'opium of the masses'-

  -Marx saw religion as a way of comforting W/C about the alienation that they experienced in the workplace.

  -Dulls the pain of oppression by giving it's followers a temporary 'high' through promises of a better afterlife in order to distract them from exploitation.

  -Therefore, promotes social stability because it's functions is to prevent a W/C revolution