Religions and Theology

Religions and Theology

 Karl Max describes religion in his writings as the opium of the oppressed. He says religion is an expression of material realities and an economic injustice, which means that the problem faced in religion are problems in society. He describes religion as a symptom rather than a disease (Nolan, 2002). This is because religion is used by the oppressed to make them feel better about their distress.

According to Karl Max, religion can be the opium of the poor in that it is meant to create an illusion fantasy for the poor. The struggles of the poor hinder them from finding true happiness, and religion tells them that it is alright because they will find joy in life after death. Just as the opium-based drugs relieve the pain during severe injuries, religion does that to the economically hurt.

There are several examples to support Karl Max’s views. First, the republican politicians have enjoyed support from the New Christian Right, who advocates a more aggressive anti-communist policy. Second, Liberal politicians such as George Bush and Ronald Regan have enjoyed support from the new Christian right. When George Bush was elected in 2004, a survey showed that two-thirds of the population that regularly attended church voted for him. Third, in Egypt, pharaohs were believed to be both God and men.  Fourth, the king in the 20th century was the representative of God, and disobeying the king equaled disobeying God. Hence, it gave the ruling class power over the oppressed as it was the case in Medieval Europe kings. Fifth, the traditional caste system in India enjoyed much support from the Hindu religion (Nolan, 2002).

Karl Max suggests that the world must get rid of religion to achieve equality. Religion has always been a barrier to justice, especially gender equality. There are several cases of gender violence done in the name of religion. However, I do not support the disbandment of religion since Karl Max overlooked the factor of religious freedom. In the 21st century, the world has advanced to give freedom to worship. The world ought to grant autonomy to religion hence solving the problem of inequality. The minority groups such women will be empowered to air their views through religious platforms.

Religion has served as a resource to minorities in the following ways. First, during the civil war, the black church was the center of solace and hope. Second, the black church provided strategies for liberations and survival and also participated in the process of recruiting soldiers. Third, the black church conducted an antislavery movement to fight for the rights of the slaves. Fourth, on the battlefield, religion provided the men and women to come into terms with the suffering they underwent during the war. Fifth, during the civil war, people believed that death and illness conformed to God’s Will here on earth.  It was found that God controlled every aspect of the war and gave the soldiers the courage to move on.

References

Nolan, S. (2002). The Impossible of Faith: Marxist and Post–Secular Interpretations of Belief and Religion. Reviews In Religion & Theology, 9(4), 297-303. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9418.00150