Question 04(a) · 298 words written
Opening
Religion, in its essence is a social institution with a divine force attracting reverance and this social consensus has been studied by various sociologists from different lens - Durkheim (functional theory using totemism), Merton's dysfunctions of religion, Robert N Bellah's Civic religion. Max Weber's idea of religion draws from his comprehensive analysis of religion whereas Marxist theory of religion is conflict oriented which was an extension to his theory of class struggle and alienation.
Marx's theory of Religion →
Marx considered religion to be the 'opium of masses', which highlighted the concept that religion provided a cushion to proletariate against capitalist exploitation
Body · points and prose
Religion, in its essence is a social institution with a divine force attracting reverance and this social consensus has been studied by various sociologists from different lens - Durkheim (functional theory using totemism), Merton's dysfunctions of religion, Robert N Bellah's Civic religion. Max Weber's idea of religion draws from his comprehensive analysis of religion whereas Marxist theory of religion is conflict oriented which was an extension to his theory of class struggle and alienation.
Marx's theory of Religion →
Marx considered religion to be the 'opium of masses', which highlighted the concept that religion provided a cushion to proletariate against capitalist exploitation
→ Religion acted as a hindrance to the proletariate revolution that justified the position of proletariate. → Religion acted as a hope for their wellbeing in next life as a compensation to current life's exploitation. → As an economic deterministic approach, religion formed a part of superstructure that was influenced and represented capitalist ideologies.
Max Weber's Idea of Religion
Weber, unlike Marx, does not rely on capital determinism rather in his 'Protestant Ethics and spirit of Capitalism' presented ideas/beliefs (Calvinist ideology) influencing the growth of capitalism.
Furthermore in his analysis of religions of India and China, of Hinduism and Confucianism respectively, he highlighted that inspite of material success, capitalism did not grow because the belief system in India emphasised on spiritualism and discouraged material possession, whereas Chinese belief system highlighted social harmony and was status quoist.
Weber also extends his theory with 'Theodicy of marginalization' which talks about the growth of sects as a response to the religion being used to justify the marginalisation of downtrodden.
Hence, even though both the theories have broadened the sociological horizons on religion, have been criticised by feminists for lacking analysis from women perspective (Ex: Mary Daly and Karen Armstrong).
Close · a summary
Max Weber's Idea of Religion
Weber, unlike Marx, does not rely on capital determinism rather in his 'Protestant Ethics and spirit of Capitalism' presented ideas/beliefs (Calvinist ideology) influencing the growth of capitalism. Furthermore in his analysis of religions of India and China, of Hinduism and Confucianism respectively, he highlighted that inspite of material success, capitalism did not grow because the belief system in India emphasised on spiritualism and discouraged material possession, whereas Chinese belief system highlighted social harmony and was status quoist.
Weber also extends his theory with 'Theodicy of marginalization' which talks about the growth of sects as a response to the religion being used to justify the marginalisation of downtrodden.
Hence, even though both the theories have broadened the sociological horizons on religion, have been criticised by feminists for lacking analysis from women perspective (Ex: Mary Daly and Karen Armstrong).