Phil HL - Karl Marx - Functionalist Theory

Phil HL - Karl Marx - Functionalist Theory

1. For

   • Religion plays a part in social structure
     • Caste system
     • slavery (was justified)
     • divine rights of kings
   • religion is strong among poor immigrant groups

2. Against

   • people engage in religion purposes:
     • psychological
     • integrative
     • explanitory
   • secularisation
     • Marx is no longer relevant
     • the media plays the role
   • There is no evidence that religion will disappear when oppression is removed
   • examples of religion leading revolt
     • racial equality (MLK was a Christian)

3. What is it?

   • The ideal society is a communist one.
     • no religion
     • no classes
   • In a non-communist society there are:
     • the proletariat (working class)
     • bourgeoisie (middle & upper class)
     • Marx believed one day the proletariat would rise up against the bourgeoisie
       • Then there would be no need for religion.
   • Religion:
     • is a social construct
     • numbs the pain of oppression
       • promise of paradise
       • 'the meek shall inherit the earth'
       • there are rewards in the afterlife for suffering
     • Promotes the positions of the rulers (God given)
       • justifies social order
     • does not solve the problem of oppression
       • (hope of supernatural intervention)

4. 'Religion is the opium of the people'

5. Religion is an ideological smoke screen (it hides oppression)