MARXISTS

MARXISTS

1. KARL MARX- "RELIGION IS THE OPIUM OF THE PEOPLE"

2. MARXISTS- See religion as a feature only of a class divided society. When the WC over throw the RC to form a classless society there will be no need for religion therefore causing It disappear

3. IDEOLOGY- A belief system that distorts reality to benefit the RC: Rewards in afterlife means people accept poverty in real life. Spiritual wealth is more important

4. QUOTE: 'THE RICH MAN IN HIS CASTLE THE POOR MAN AT HIS GATE, GOD MADE THEM HIGH AN DLOWLY AND ORDERED THEIR ESTATES'

   • QUOTE: 'IT IS EASIER FOR A CAMEL TO PASS THROUGH THE EYE OF A NEEDLE THAN FOR A RICH MAN TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN'
     • QUOTE: RELIGOION IS A KIND OF SPIRITUAL GIN IN WHICH THE SLAVES OF CAPITAL DROWN THEIR HUMAN SHAPE AND THEIR CLAIMS TO ANY DECENT LIFE' Lenin

5. Religion dulls the pain caused by oppression

   • It does nothing to solve the problem; it is a bad attempt to make life more bearable for the WC.

6. RELIGION GIVES: Salvation from bondage and misery by promised afterlife. Promises people will be rewarded for their virtues. Offers hope to the supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth. Often justifies social order and your place within it

7. ALIENATION: People in capitalist society become separated from the things that they produce.

   • How does religion help people deal with alienation?
     • FALSE CLASS CONCIOUSNESS: A distorted view of reality that prevents the poor from acting up to change the situation

8. HINDU CASTE SYSTEM: The untouchables are tasked with gruesome jobs which they are made to do for very little money, they are not allowed to socialise with other classes as they are below them. The untouchables believe that they will be reincarnated into a better role once they die. The other sectors will be rewarded after death as they have an earned place within society.

9. DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS: God chose the kings and gave them all power. The people believe this too. The king uses his 'God given power' to exert control. Therefore if a person speaks out or acts against the king it can then be seen as an attack at God. Punishments then follow showing other who is in control and the power the king has been granted from god

10. THE BIBLE REINFORCES FLASE CLASS CONSCIENCE: People read the bible and the scriptures that say heaven exists and to get there you have to follow rules such as the 10 commandments, people will then end up having a poor life so the can get into heaven, therefore displaying false class conscience