I have been wondering about what Karl Marx really meant. I do not think that he was really anti-religious as much as he was recognizing that religions of the world have been used historically by authorities to secure their power and positions.

Case in point, the Jewish faith, which Marx undoubtedly knew well opposed any opposition to the status quo unless it was a case of outright oppression. Christianity, especially after the time of Constintine, was a religion of state which supported serfdom and slavery. Hinduism preached reincarnation as part of its emphasis on the caste system which kept a solid hold on Indian society.

In the rare instances when religious figures led popular revolutions, such as Girolamo Savonarola, the hiarchy of the Church usually refuted such leaders.

Any thoughts on this?

Well, I don't know if it's an opiate, but I do know that, historically, it's been the easiest way for a very small group of people to control a very large group of people.

Marx was an atheist-he was wrong but he had a point-a major theme in many religions is to enable a person to accept life as it is-rather than to strive for change...

Marx would say that religion is unnecessary and non-existent in a good society, because it only exists to comfort the opressed. No opression - no religion.

If this is true of all "religions", wouldn't it be nice if truth came to us in a different, more personable, more real form?

:|

Why,Jojo,you wouldn't alluding to anything in particular,would you?;)
religion by itself isnt adequate,people won't behave just because they should and half the time we don't really know what we're supposed to be doing anyway...

Why,Jojo,you wouldn't alluding to anything in particular,would you?;)

:jes:

because it only exists to comfort the opressed.

And nothing makes a good revolutionary uncomfortable like comfort. :p

And nothing makes a good revolutionary uncomfortable like comfort. :p- Right, "how dare you feel content when we say you're oppressed!" :soapbox:

karl Marx Isn't this the guy that came up with the "Haves" and "Have Nots"