Theories of Religion
- Created by: chocolateflavouredmilk
- Created on: 26-02-20 22:15
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- Theories of Religion
- Maxism
- RELIGION AS IDEOLOGY
- Ideology is a belief system that distorts the people's perception of reality.
- In Marx view, religion operates as an ideological weapon used by the ruling class to legitimate the suffering of the poor as something inevitable and god-given.
- This creates a false class consciousness
- Lenin believes that the ruling class uses religion cynically to manipulate the masses and keep them from overthrowing capitalism.
- Religion also legitimates the power and privelege of the dominant class by making their position seem made by God.
- Marx sees religion as a feature only of class-divided society.
- RELIGION AND ALIENATION
- Marx sees religion as a product of alienation which involves becoming separated form something that one has produced or created.
- Religion acts as an opiate to full the pain of exploitation.
- The afterlife creates an illusory happiness that distract attention from the true source of suffering - capitalism.
- RELIGION AS IDEOLOGY
- Feminism
- EVIDENCE OF PATRIARCHY
- Places of worship often segregate the sexes and marginalise women, women's participation may be restricted because of taboos around menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth
- Sacred texts describe gods and prophets to be male and are usually written and interpreted by men, Stories often reflect anti-female stereotypes such as Eve being the reason for the fall of humanity.
- Religious laws may given women fewer rights, dress codes and decision making.
- Feminists argue that women have not always been subordinate to men within religion,
- Armstrong argues that early religious placed women in the centre such as eath mother goddesses and female priesthgoods.
- Nawal El Saadawi argues that religion is not the direct cause of women;s subordination.
- Patriarchy began to influence and re-shape religion which is the cause of females oppression.
- Places of worship often segregate the sexes and marginalise women, women's participation may be restricted because of taboos around menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth
- Feminists regard religion as a patriarchal institution that reflects and perpetuates this inequality.
- RELIGIOUS FORMS OF FEMINISM
- Woodhead argues that there are 'religious forms of feminism' in which women are able to gain freedom and respect.
- For example, the hijab, often seen as a form of oppression but is actually a means of liberation to the wearer.
- Brusco found in Colombia tht belonging to a Pentecostal group can be empowering for some women, as a strongly held belief is that men should respect women.
- This gives women the power to influence men's behaviour.
- Woodhead argues that there are 'religious forms of feminism' in which women are able to gain freedom and respect.
- EVIDENCE OF PATRIARCHY
- Maxism
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