Marx believed that religion acts as the 'opium of the people' as it eases the pain of oppression and exploitation by...
1. Promising an eventual escape from suffering: e.g. life after death
2. Offering hope of supernatural intervention: e.g. Jehovas Witnesses believe that the survivors of the battle of Armaggedon (between God and Satan) will form a new paradise on earth. << This teaches people to accept their position and not change society
3. Providing a religious explanation and justification for inequality: e.g. Hinduism justifys the inequality of the Indian caste system
However..
- Like a drug, religion can only do these things if people take it
- Religion is declining in power in Western societies
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