1. What do you know about the basics of Marxism?
Marxism & Religion: (Religion as a Conservative Force 2)
(Conflict Structuralism)
Question:
What do you know about the basics of Marxism?
R/C
W/C
The R/C must maintain unequal Social Structure (Social Inequality)
WHY?
R/C have status, wealth and above all, Power. They need the W/C to remain poor so that they need work for the R/C (who can then keep the profits from the work)
Key Terms:
> Social Control
> Dominant Ideology
> False Class Consciousness
The R/C must therefore exercise SOCIAL CONTROL OVER THE W/C.

2. RELIGION IS AN INSTRUMENT OF THE R/C
Althusser (1971): Argues that the R/C control (supress) the W/C through both Repressive State Apparatus & Ideological State Apparatus.
R.S.A: Physical control through structures such as the Police and Judicial System. These control the W/C through threats/punishments of custodial sentences, fines, ASBOs, curfews and other physical means.
I.S.A: These structures control the way the W/C think and therefore behave in order to prevent deviant and/or criminal behaviour e.g. The Education System, The Family, The Media and RELIGION.
Essentially, RELIGION IS CREATED AND PROMOTED BY THE R/C in order to pass on their dominant ideology to the W/C as well as providing the W/C with False Consciousness
(In other words ‘You have to work and you will be happy doing it!’.
RELIGION IS AN INSTRUMENT OF THE R/C

3. Diagram of R.S.As and I.S.As in Action:
Ruling Class
(Dominant Ideology & False Class Consciousness)
Education
Media
RELIGION
Justice System
Family
Working Class

5. In what ways is work beneficial to individuals?
R/C Dominant Ideology essentially suggests that work is normal and that everybody has to work – it is natural and part of life.
Marx points out that passing on this Dominant Ideology to the W/C is only half the job complete. It is up to the R/C to make the W/C feel like they are the ones who ultimately benefit from working…..the R/C must also create FALSE CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS amongst the W/C
How does religion suggest the poor will benefit from being ‘good’ in this life?
Question:
In what ways is work beneficial to individuals?

6. According to Marx, Religion helps to create False Class Consciousness
RELIGION is the OPIUM OF THE PEOPLE, that DULLS THE PAIN OF OPPRESSION. Religion eases the suffering of ALIENATION. (lack of power to control your own life)
1) Religion acts as an eventual escape from suffering & oppression in this life with promises of a perfect life after death in heaven.
‘The Meek Shall Inherent the Earth’
2) Religion offers hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth.
3) Religion provides an explanation and justification for inequality
e.g. The Hindu belief in resurrection justifies the unequal Caste System.
Christian teachings that God has a plan for all people (Jeremiah 29:11) justifies people’s social position as part of God’s bigger unquestionable plan

7. In what ways could Marxism be critiqued?
In Marxism then, Religion is an instrument of the R/C, used to justify class inequality and to control the W/C.
Religion helps maintain the unequal class structure and as such keeps societies structure balanced (unevenly). Religion ensures that the W/C work, without complaint and above all it prevents the W/C from rising up against the R/C because they have been taught that one day in heaven good things will come to them if they remain ‘meek’
Religion acts as a ‘Conservative Force on Society’ meaning that it helps to keep things the same- Ruling class have power and wealth, the working class don’t.
Questions:
In what ways could Marxism be
critiqued?
How is Marxism similar/ different to
the Functionalist Theory of Religion?

8. Immediate activity No notes, no discussion, no textbooks

9. Your task
Read the information on your sheet carefully and complete the questions.
TEN MARK Q:
Outline and explain two roles of religion in society
1 paragraph must be written from a functionalist perspective, 1 must be written from a Marxist perspective. You must write in PEEEL paragraphs

10. Overview of Traditional Marxist view of religion

11. Evaluating Traditional Marxist views on religion
Using Neo Marxism to critique Traditional Marxism shows higher level evaluation

12. Key Marxist ideas and evaluation points