Describe conflict perspectives on religion and distinguish between the approaches of sociologists Karl Marx and Max Weber

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

For sociologist Karl Marx, ideologies—systematic views of the way the world ought to be—are embodied in religious doctrines and political values. Ideologies serve to justify the status quo and retard social change. Marx wrote that religion is the "opiate of the masses"? people become complacent because they have been taught to believe in an afterlife in which they will be rewarded for their suffering and misery in life. Although these religious teachings soothe the masses' distress, any relief is illusory. Religion unites people in a "false consciousness" that they share common interests with members of the dominant class. From a conflict perspective, religion tends to promote strife between groups and societies.

For example, the new religious right in the United States has incorporated both the priestly and prophetic functions into its agenda. While calling for moral reform, it also calls the nations back to a covenant with God. According to conflict theorists, conflict may be between religious groups (for example, anti-Semitism), within a religious group (for example, when a splinter group leaves an existing denomination), or between a religious group and the larger society (for example, the conflict over religion in the classroom). Conflict theorists assert that in attempting to provide meaning and purpose in life while at the same time promoting the status quo, religion is used by the dominant classes to impose their own control over society and its resources. For sociologist Max Weber, religion could be a catalyst to produce social change. In the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Weber asserted that the religious teachings of John Calvin are directly related to the rise of capitalism. Calvin emphasized the doctrine of predestination, the belief that even before they are born, all people are divided into two groups, the saved and the damned and only God knows who will go to hell. Because people cannot know whether they will be saved, they tend to look for earthly signs that they are among the elect. According to the Protestant ethic, those who have faith, perform good works, and achieve economic success are more likely to be among the chosen of God. As a result, people work hard, save their money, and do not spend it on worldly frivolity; instead, they reinvest it in their land, equipment, and labor. Weber was acutely aware that religion could reinforce existing social arrangements, especially the stratification system. The wealthy can use religion to justify their power and privilege.