Marx’s criticism of religion stemmed from his belief that a revolution was necessary to end the suffering of the middle and lower classes. Religion was not the only aspect of society that was faulty, in Marx’s opinion, but was a way to mask the other wrongs society faced. “Criticism has plucked the imaginary flowers on the chain not in order that man shall continue to bear that chain without fantasy or consolation, but so that he shall throw off the chain and pluck the living flower.” This quote suggests that Marx thought it necessary to free man of religion, not so he could suffer without the comfort religion provides to those who are oppressed, but because without religion man would have the incentive to rebel against the suffering placed on them by society.
Religion provides people with hope that, perhaps in another life or in heaven life would not be so difficult, man would not suffer. Marx believed that this idea of religion served to oppress the masses by providing a reason to suffer through life instead of rebelling against the oppressors. Religion serves as a sort of opium to the people, a way to numb their pain instead of curing it, and only after freeing themselves of religion will the masses truly be able to “pluck the living flower.” Marx believed that by eliminating the “illusory happiness” that is religion, man will find it necessary to find true happiness. I agree that “religious suffering is, at one and the same time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against suffering.” By turning to religion people are proclaiming their pain, and by doing so, looking for a way to numb their suffering.
I agree that religion is, in many cases, a way to mask the pain and suffering felt by many or a reason to continue in their state of suffering: after a Christian death, family members consol themselves by thinking the person is in heaven, when people are made to work long hours in a factory, earning little pay, they find the will to continue through the belief that if they behave, one day they will be in a better place. I think that in many ways this belief is a way to trick oneself into feeling consoled, while religion may just be “the heart of a heartless world:” imaginary.
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Gillian,
ReplyDeleteYou did a good job explaining what Marx's paper was suggesting. In some ways I agree that religion is an imaginary tool to numb pain. But at the same time it is hard to see religion as an imaginary thing since it is such a way of life. If people didn't rely on this imaginary comforter, how do you think they would deal with their pain?
Gillian,
ReplyDeleteI agreed with a lot of your points. I especially liked your statement that religion was not the only thing faulty in society, but that by letting go of religion people might be able to rebel. I think your statement works really well with the time period and what Marx was advocating for. I also agreed with your statement that people use religion to mask suffering and your example of death and praying family was great!