Marxist Theories on Roles and Functions of Religion

Evaluate the contribution of Marxist theories to our understanding of the role and functions of religion in the world today (33 marks)

Marxists see all societies as divided into two classes one of which exploits the labour of the other. In modern capitalist society, the capitalist class who own the means of production exploit the working class. According to Marxists, religion is a belief system that distorts people’s perception of reality and acts as an opiate to dull the pain of exploitation which Marxists believe are the roles and functions of religion in the world today. However there are contrasting views held by other groups, functionalists believe religion gives value and meaning to society, they see religion as helping individuals to cope with unforeseen events and uncontrollable outcomes.

Marx argues that religion acts as an ideology in a way that it distorts people’s perception of reality in ways that serve the interests of the ruling class, as the bourgeoisie control the church, education system and media. According to Marxists this ideological weapon is used by the bourgeoisie to legitimate the suffering of the poor as something inevitable and God-given. Religion misleads the poor into believing that their suffering is virtuous and that they will be favoured in the afterlife. For example, according to Christianity, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Such ideas like this in religion create a false consciousness which is defined in the context of Marxism as a distorted view of reality that prevents the poor from acting to change their situation. Therefore this means religions almost functions as a smoke screen for why people are poor, that religions role is to comfort and justify peoples lower rank in society so that they will constantly follow the bourgeoisie until they reach heaven where they will be free.

Feminists also criticises that religion legitimates patriarchy...