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Marxist and Feminist view on religion
Fichas del conjunto (28)
- 1How do the Marxists see religion?Marxists see religion as acting on behalf of the ruling class to stop conflict occuring in society and keep the bourgeoisie in control. They believe that religion is socially constructed by the ruling class to transmit their ideas of capitalism to the working class. Thus religion becomes a tool for oppressing the proletariat (keeping them 'in their place') and justifying their position in society.
- 2What do Marxists say about religious beliefs?They believe that religious beliefs aren't the truth but are manipulated by the bourgeoisie and are therefore an ideological force. Marxists use the term 'ideological state apparatus' to explain that religion, similarly to education and the media, has a role in controlling the feelings of workers and stopping them wanting a revolution (social change).
- 3What do Marxists say about religion's affect on the poor?Religion misleads the poor into believing that their suffering is virtuous and that they will be rewarded in the afterlife - such ideas create false class consciousness. Lenin described religion as 'spiritual gin' used by the ruling class to manipulate the masses by creating a 'mystical fog' that obscures reality.
- 4How does religion legitimises power for the middle/upper class, according to MarxistsReligion legitimises the power and privilege of the dominant class by making their position appear to be divinely ordanined e.g. ideas that Kings are God's representative on Earth and the Hindu Caste System.
- 5What is the Hindu Caste System?Hindu Caste System is a system of social stratification based on abscribed status. You are born into the same Caste as your parent and marriage between castes if forbidden. People were divided into five casts based upon their supposed degree of religious purity.
- 6Hindu Caste System - 5 Castes
- 7What did Marx say about religion and alienation?Marx argued that religion has an important role/function in helping the working class escape alienation of capitalist production process. Religion disguises the true nature of exploitation by providing an explanation for inequality. I.e. the concept of Heaven being at the end of a workers life gives rise to an ignorance of their current plight. In believing that they will go to a perfect place when they die means alienating work becomes something to be suffered to prove worthiness rather than capitalist exploitation.
- 8What is the key quote made by Marxists about religion?The key quote from Marxists concerning religion is that it is "the opium of the masses" - meaning it acts a type of drug (opiate) to keep the workers passive and stop revolution (social change)
- 9According to Marxists, what does ideological control lead to?Ideological control leads to social control. Through secondary socialisation religion teaches and preaches the norms and values of the ruling class e.g. the value of money and importance of hard work, therefore the working class act how the ruling class want them to.
- 10Give an example of Marxists ideas in religion?An example of Marxists ideas in religion is the Church of Scientology, which put a great deal of emphasis on wealth creation and enjoys the financial benefits of having rich donors. E.g. Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
- 11Theoretical evaluation - What sociological theorists support their views?They gained theoretical support from feminist sociologists. Feminist theory is sympathetic to the idea of religion suppressing conflict between social groups as well as imparting negative norms and values to certain members of society. For example, Holm argues that much religion doctrine has been interpreted by men and therefore religion passes on gender bias in it's teaching. However, feminists would also argue that Marxists ideas are incomplete as they ignore gender patriarchal oppression entirely. This suggests that their ideas have theoretical support but limited in it's terms of oppression.
- 12Why have Marxist ideas been criticised by Weberian sociologists?Weber argues that religion does not operate to impart norms and values to society, but in fact create capitalist society as we know it. According Weber the move from feudal cottage industries to large-scale industrialised factories could not have occurred without the protestant work ethic. This suggests that the Marxist approach only offers a partial view on how religion functions within society.
- 13Marxist ideas have empirical support from Bruce, what did he find out?Bruce studied the role of the New Christian Right (NCR) played in the 1980 American election. He found that the NCR helped right-winged (more business orientated) candidates defeat 23 out of 27 more left-wing (from Marxist) candidates. Bruce argues that this shows a link between NCR and support for capitalist ideology. This empirical data suggests that there is some validity in Marxist ideas.
- 14Why have Neo-Marxists criticised Marxists on empirical grounds?Neo-Marxist Maduro (1982) found evidence that religion does not promote ruling class ideologies within society but can assist the development of class consciousness. He found that in South America, although Catholicism often supported the ruling class, increasingly the clergy are acting in ways to help the working class break free - known as liberation theology. Neo-Marxists highlight the fact that religion does not always function effectively as an ideology to control the population. This suggests that Marx is incorrect in suggesting that all religion exists to control the working class.
- 15Why can Marxists ideas about alienation be criticised?This is because it is a difficult concept to measure and is unscientific. Futhermore, religion remains popular amongst the middle classes, who should have no need for worship but continue to participate.
- 16Feminists
- 17What does feminist Armstrong say about religion? and what does El Saadawi add to this?Armstrong (1993) early religion often placed women at the centre. E.g. fertility cuts, earth mother goddesses. However, the rise of monotheistic religions (about 4000 years ago) saw the establishment of a single, all powerful MALE God. El Saadawi (1980) adds that rise of patriarchy in other areas of social life began to influence and re-shape religion.
- 18How do feminist see the role of religion in society?Feminists do not see religion as causing conflict in society rather they see religion as acting on behalf of men to keep them in control. Feminist writer De Beauvoir (1949) argues that religion oppresses men to keep them in control the way women see themselves and reinforces patriarchy.
- 19Like Marxists, Feminists see religion as an ________________ ___________ (preaches the norms and values of men). What does De Beauvoir say about this?Ideological Control.
De Beauvoir (1949) argues that religious leaders are generally male and much of the doctrine is interpreted from a male perspective, which controls the way women see themselves and reinforces patriarchy. - 20Ideological control leads to what according to feminists? (similar to what Marxists think)Ideological control of women leads to social control. De Beauvoir (1949) argues that through secondary socialisation, religion teaches women how to act within society e.g. the Bible suggests that God created women to be men's helpers.
- 21How do women see places of worship as patriarchal?Places of worship often segregate and marginalise women. Men dominate sacred places, women's participation is limited (e.g. not being able to preach) and taboos surrounding menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth exist.
- 22How do religious laws and customs cause patriarchy?Religious laws and customs may given women fewer rights than men e.g. access to divorce, number of spouses to marry, dress code etc. Religion also influences cultural norms which may lead to unequal treatment (e.g. genital female mutilation) and legitimates traditional gender roles (e.g. banning abortion and contraception)
- 23What does Bruce (1995) argues what about women?Bruce argues that women are likely to join cults and sects, possibly due to feeling disadvantaged in other parts of patriarchal society. Women may feel a place outside of society may better understand their needs. However, feminists would argue that sects offer no escape from male oppression e.g. women have little chance of being in power, and stand a chance of both physical and sexual abuse.
- 24Who did feminist gain theorectical support from?Marxists agree with the feminist ideas of ideological control existing within society. Marxists would also support the idea that control comes from an unequal power relationship between social groups (although they would disagree as to which groups these are). This suggests that feminist ideas have wider theoretical appeal.
- 25Theoretical evaluation - How could traditional feminist ideas be criticised?Traditional feminist theory's ideas on oppression have been criticised on a theoretical level. Postmodernist feminists would argue that women's role in religion is about choice rather than patriarchy. They believe that women choose either to be religious or not. This suggests that the feminist approach only offers are partial view on how religion functions.
- 26Feminists have empirical support, from Jean Holm who investigated the role of women in religion. She found?She found that although the classical readings of the religions emphasised equality between men and women the reality was very different, with women being generally excluded during religious ceremonies. Saadawi found that women are equally disadvantages in the Muslim faith. She claims that a female circumcision, an unpleasant mutilation of female genitalia, can be attributed to Islam. This suggests that there is some validity in feminist ideas.
- 27What have feminist ideas been criticised on empirical grounds?Not all religions can be criticised for being patriarchal. Increasingly women are taking an active role in religion. For example, Judaism has allowed female rabbis since 1972 and the Church of England has allowed female vicars since 1992, and the Church of England ruled women to become Bishops since 2015. This suggests that feminist theory is based on one very narrow view of society and therefore the evidence lacks validity.
- 28Feminists ideas have been criticised on empirical grounds by Woodhead, why is this?Woodhead (2009) argues that there are 'religious forms of Feminim' where women are liberated not oppressed by their religious practices e.g. wearing the hijab. Brusco (2012) also found evidence of Pentecostal women using religion gain staus and respect for their roles within the home. Traditional feminists are therefore criticised for their western-centric perspectives.
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- A-level (Paper 2 - Family and beliefs in society) Sociology Fichas sobre Marxist and Feminist view on religion, creado por Catherine Rayner el 06/01/2018.
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- Catherine Rayner
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