Belief in Society

Beliefs in society-Marxists theories of religion

* Marxists see society as divided into two classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat. They argue that the bourgeoisie who own the means of production exploits the proletariat (working class).

* Marxists argue that there will always be conflicts in society between classes.

* They are against religion as they think it divides the society. Thus they think religion is not needed in a classless society.

* Marx argues that in society the capitalist class controls the distribution of ideas through institutions, including church.

* He argues that the bourgeoisie uses religion as a weapon to justify the suffering of the poor by saying that its God given.

* He argues that the poor have been mislead by religion into thinking that they will get rewarded for their suffering in the afterlife. This is known as the false class consciousness (the poor actually supports the capitalism system that exploits them).

* Alienation: division/separation becoming separated/losing control over something that one has created.

* ‘’under capitalism, workers are alienated because they do not own what they produce and have no control or freedom’’. Therefore they turn to religion for consolation as Marx argues that it reduces their pain.

* Religion promises the illusion of happiness in afterlife – this distracts the working class from capitalism.

* Marx argues that although religion acts as a consolation for the suffering of the poor, it doesn’t actually deal with its cause.

Evaluation:

* Other theories argue that the process of secularisation in contemporary society suggests that religion is not necessary to maintain ruling class.

* Although Marx does show how religion creates false class consciousness, h ignores the positive aspects of religion.

* It also fails to address the secularisation issue.