marxist
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Marxist interpretations of religion
Marxist interpretations of religion
Religion is man made
Religious beliefs arose as a protest against peoples lack of control of their destiny, their dehumanisation and oppression.
Religion is the 'Sigh of the oppressed creature. It is the opium of the people' control and makes you think you are happy.
'Truly liberated individuals have no need for religion'. Remove oppression and alienation and people are frees to develop their human potential, so in a socialist society there is no need for religion.
Religion and Ideology
Dominant ideology controlled and invented by the ruling class and supports the status quo (keeping the same) maintaining the class system.
Ideology was, according to Marx, that of the ruling class.
Belief system Hard work, God higher being, rewards in after life, judged on what you do now, 10 commandments, accept hierarchy and respect it, behave well ensures social control.
Religion is part of ideology, a set of beliefs, which hides and distorts the true nature of reality in ways which benefit the ruling class 'the ideas of the ruling class are in every epoch the ruling class ideas'.
Ideological tool of the ruling class used to dominate one class by another...