Marxian Critique of Religion

This chapter elaborates on Marxian criticism of religion and traditions. The chapter contends that Marxian theory should be seen as a post-Enlightenment theory. That said the chapter briefly dwells on the origin and nature of the Enlightenment thought and argues that the Enlightenment preceded the development of Marxian views on religion. Therefore, the chapter argues that in order to comprehend Marx’s critique one needs to understand both the historical and philosophical context of Marx. Further, the chapter elaborates on the theory of religion provided Marx, wherein he views religion as a mystifying ideology. The chapter elaborates on the views of later Marxian thinkers such as Antonio Gramsci and his theory of hegemony. The chapter also elaborates the theory of ideology provided by Louis Althusser as an ideological state apparatus. Based on the primary works of and secondary works of these authors this chapter endeavours to elaborate the Marxian critique of religion and religious traditions both as a theory of universal applicability and that can be applied to specific circumstances. The chapter also deals with the limitations of the theory.