Marxism

• Marxist view of religion


  In a classless society = no need for religion

  > religion is an ideology - distorts perceptions of reality

  > ruling class controls ideas through church, education etc

  Conservative force

  > keep things the same/traditional

  > legitimise class inequality, maintain and keep the same
• Althusser


  Ideological state apparatus

  > religion is a tool used by the ruling class to pass down capitalist ideas
• Lenin


  ”spiritual gin” - confuse wc and keep them in place

  > keep wc from trying to overthrow capitalism

  > a ‘fog‘ that obscures reality
• Marx


  “religion is the opium of all people”

  > work is alienating - religion is the comfort dulling the pain of exploitation
• FAIL acronym that collectively maintains capitalism


  False class consciousness (stop revolution)

  Alienation (meaning and purpose)

  Ideological (distorts reality)

  Legitimise wc suffering
• Examples


  > Hindu caste system - stuck in class you were born in - only way to move up is by obeying in life

  > Islam - “Allah loved workers”

  > Divine right of Kings - justifies class place as chosen by God
• Criticisms 


  > comfort to cope

  > rich people are the most religious

  > not all wc people are religious

  > functionalists - social solidarity

  > religion came before capitalism

  > charity/food banks to help the poor (wc)