Examine Karl Marx' Sociological Critique of Religion
Examine Karl Marx' sociological critique of religion. (18)
Karl Marx was born on the 5th of May 1818 and died on the 14th of March 1883. He was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, historian, journalist and revolutionary socialist. Throughout time, his ideas played a significant role in the development and understanding of social science and the socialist movement, however I will focus on Karl Marx’s views on religion; particularly his critique of religion.
According to Karl Marx, religion is like a social institution as it is dependent upon the material and economic realities in a given society. It is apparently the ‘creature of productive forces,’ as Marx wrote, ‘The religious world is but the reflex of the real world.’ Marx believed that all religious, moral and political life that exists is rooted in economics. He stated that people have needs and desires (material and social etc) and society structures itself to meet those needs and desires. Due to this belief, this has given rise to a capitalist society, where the workers produce goods and services and rich industrialists and landowners profit from their labours.
Marx believed that religion can be understood in relation to other social systems and the economic structures of society. He believed that religion is dependent upon economics and nothing else – in fact, the idea and uses of religious doctrines are even somewhat irrelevant. So, in simpler terms, this is actually a functionalist interpretation of religion: understanding religion is dependent upon what social purpose religion itself serves, not the actual content of its beliefs.
Karl Marx’s opinion on religion is that it is an illusion that basically provides a reason to keep society running just as it is – and religion takes our highest dreams, hopes and aspirations and alienates us from them, enclosing them onto a higher and unknowable being that religious people call God. Marx stated three reasons for disliking religion; firstly he
Karl Marx was born on the 5th of May 1818 and died on the 14th of March 1883. He was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, historian, journalist and revolutionary socialist. Throughout time, his ideas played a significant role in the development and understanding of social science and the socialist movement, however I will focus on Karl Marx’s views on religion; particularly his critique of religion.
According to Karl Marx, religion is like a social institution as it is dependent upon the material and economic realities in a given society. It is apparently the ‘creature of productive forces,’ as Marx wrote, ‘The religious world is but the reflex of the real world.’ Marx believed that all religious, moral and political life that exists is rooted in economics. He stated that people have needs and desires (material and social etc) and society structures itself to meet those needs and desires. Due to this belief, this has given rise to a capitalist society, where the workers produce goods and services and rich industrialists and landowners profit from their labours.
Marx believed that religion can be understood in relation to other social systems and the economic structures of society. He believed that religion is dependent upon economics and nothing else – in fact, the idea and uses of religious doctrines are even somewhat irrelevant. So, in simpler terms, this is actually a functionalist interpretation of religion: understanding religion is dependent upon what social purpose religion itself serves, not the actual content of its beliefs.
Karl Marx’s opinion on religion is that it is an illusion that basically provides a reason to keep society running just as it is – and religion takes our highest dreams, hopes and aspirations and alienates us from them, enclosing them onto a higher and unknowable being that religious people call God. Marx stated three reasons for disliking religion; firstly he