Assess the contribution of Marxist theories to our understanding of the role & functions of religion in the world today (20)
- Created by: RhiannonHarradine
- Created on: 14-03-17 09:00
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- Assess the contribution of Marxist theories to our understanding of the role & functions of religion in the world today (20 marks)
- Introduction
- Marxism: Structural conflict theory; bourgeoisie vs. proletariat; economic base (capitalism) & superstructure
- Religion exists to prevent a proletarian revolution & maintain capitalism
- Marxism: Structural conflict theory; bourgeoisie vs. proletariat; economic base (capitalism) & superstructure
- Distorts people's perception of reality
- Justifies class inequality
- Legitimates the suffering of the poor as inevitable & God-given
- Distorts people's perception of reality
- In reality, the poor are oppressed by the ruling class in order to maintain capitalism (cheap labour; consumerism)
- In pre-capitalist society, the peasentry were not influenced by Christianity. However, in the world today, consumerism & labour is important
- Legitimates the suffering of the poor as inevitable & God-given
- Religion & alienation
- Marx: "Religion is the Opium of the people"
- Dulls the pain of alienation
- Provides a short-term remedy / explanation, but no long-term solution
- Althusser: The idea of alienation is unscientific
- Marx: "Religion is the Opium of the people"
- Conclusion
- Marxism does demonstrate how religion can have ideological functions
- Does explain why the poor are more religious
- Outdated (ignores postmodernity)
- Negative (ignores positive functions)
- Deterministic (ignores how religion has helped oppressed groups)
- Introduction
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