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19th-century German philosopher Karl Marx, the founder and primary theorist of Marxism, viewed religion as "the soul of soulless conditions" or the "opium of the people". According to Marx, religion in this world of exploitation is an expression of distress and at the same time it is also a protest against the real distress.
Feb 13, 2024 · Karl Marx discussed some of his ideas about religion in his writings. He understood that religion served a purpose in society but disagreed with the basis of that function. Marx had a hard time believing in unseen truths such as those that religions offer.
Jan 7, 2019 · Marx is well known for saying that religion is the opiate of the masses, but his perspective on religion is more complex and nuanced than many realize.
Aug 26, 2003 · Marx’s explanation is that religion is a response to alienation in material life, and therefore cannot be removed until human material life is emancipated, at which point religion will wither away. Precisely what it is about material life that creates religion is not set out with complete clarity.
The opium of the people or opium of the masses (German: Opium des Volkes) is a dictum used in reference to religion, derived from a frequently paraphrased partial statement of German revolutionary and critic of political economy Karl Marx: "Religion is the opium of the people." In context, the statement is part of Marx's analysis that religion ...
Jul 10, 2018 · The Marxist Perspective on Religion. Marx and Engels saw religion as a conservative force which prevented social change by creating false consciousness. This post summarises their key ideas and offers some supporting evidence and criticisms.
Nov 9, 2009 · Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a German philosopher and economist who became a social revolutionary as co-author of "The Communist Manifesto."
