Karl Marxs views on Religion
KARL MARX No thinker in the 19th century had such a powerful impact upon mankind as Karl Marx. ... Karl Marx’s critique of religion needs to be understood within the context of his critique of society, in relation to other social and economic systems. ... When analysing Marx’s views on religion, it is essential to be aware that understanding religion does not require complete comprehension of its beliefs but knowledge of what social purpose it serves. This acts to compliment Durkheim’s views on religion, ‘where the reality which underlies religion is society itself’ (Pickering, Durkheim on Religion, 125-135.) Marx’s analysis of religion is indisputably one of the most quoted by theist and atheist alike. According to Marx, ‘Man makes religion, religion does not make man’ i. ... society fails to realize that religion is their creation. ... In spite of his influence on the subject, Marx never studied religion in great detail. ... This, he felt, held great promise for the future ‘once people come to the realization that values projected onto reality are really their own, those values become capable of realization on this earth, rather than being deferred to an afterlife’ (Giddens, Giddens Sociology, 457) Marx believed that humans should be satisfied with their work and social relationships and where this did not occur religion made it more bearable. Marx believed that ‘religion merely stupefies its adherents rather than bringing them true happiness and fulfilment’ (Haralambos, Sociology Themes and Perspectives, 653). Therefore, Marx accepted the view that religion was merely illusive. By blinding the subject classes in this way, religion acts to dampen the grief of exploitation/ oppression. ... Therefore, religion makes poverty more tolerable and ‘by offering the illusion of hope in a hopeless situation, it prevents thought of overthrowing the system’ (Haralambos, Sociology Themes and Perspectives, 653). Religion also withholds a strong ideological element: it legitimises the subordination of the lower classes and the domination of the upper ruling classes. To Marx, religion acts to justify the stratification system and mechanises social control. This differs to Weber, where the subject of class structure is absent in spite of his views on Calvinism.