Religion is the Opiate of the Masses

[gad-fly]

This statement was translated from the German original, "Die Religion ... ist das Opium des Volkes" and is often rendered as "religion…is the opiate of the masses." The full sentence from Marx translates as: "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people."

That religion is a "sigh" of relief of the oppressed is very colorful description. The heart of a heartless world? I think it is going a bit too far. The soul of soulless conditions? No, unless soul is downgraded to an unacceptable level.

The opiate of the people or masses? Masses makes more sense. More appropriate to say, some or a minority of the masses. With the emergence of democracy in human civilization, the masses is no longer a single blob of docile whole, even in Marx's time with barricade and periodic rebellions.

If religion is really the sign of relief, from the oppressed or not, it should be welcomed, like giving them a break. But even then, Marx must believe that not only is the sigh far from adequate, it stifles their sense to fight back what should be theirs in the first place.

With the progress of democracy, can the masses be able to finally shake off the opiate, sooner or later? I believe it will be along while, if ever. In the meantime, that opiate must be a serious philosophical challenge worth pondering into.

[stevie]

Marxism itself evolved into a secular religion. Religions like many philosophical systems seem to satisfy some human desires: desire for speculating, desire for great goals beyond everyday life, desire for explanations for all and everything etc.

[Sunday66]

Marxism itself evolved into a secular religion. Religions like many philosophical systems seem to satisfy some human desires: desire for speculating, desire for great goals beyond everyday life, desire for explanations for all and everything etc.

Marx showed the weaknesses in capitalist economics. That has nothing to do with religion.

[stevie]

Marxism itself evolved into a secular religion. Religions like many philosophical systems seem to satisfy some human desires: desire for speculating, desire for great goals beyond everyday life, desire for explanations for all and everything etc.

Marx showed the weaknesses in capitalist economics. That has nothing to do with religion.

I was referring to politcal communism when writing "Marxism itself evolved into a secular religion". The communist ideology has many characteristics of a religion.

[Sunday66]

Marxism itself evolved into a secular religion. Religions like many philosophical systems seem to satisfy some human desires: desire for speculating, desire for great goals beyond everyday life, desire for explanations for all and everything etc.

Marx showed the weaknesses in capitalist economics. That has nothing to do with religion.

I was referring to politcal communism when writing "Marxism itself evolved into a secular religion". The communist ideology has many characteristics of a religion.

Then capitalism is a religion. I don't see any benefit by calling political systems religions.

[stevie]

Marxism itself evolved into a secular religion. Religions like many philosophical systems seem to satisfy some human desires: desire for speculating, desire for great goals beyond everyday life, desire for explanations for all and everything etc.

Marx showed the weaknesses in capitalist economics. That has nothing to do with religion.

I was referring to politcal communism when writing "Marxism itself evolved into a secular religion". The communist ideology has many characteristics of a religion.

Then capitalism is a religion. I don't see any benefit by calling political systems religions.

Striving for goals that never can be attained is a mark of religion and communism is doing exactly that. Capitalism in comparison is realistic and pragmatic and does not strive for a final goal.

[Sunday66]

Marx showed the weaknesses in capitalist economics. That has nothing to do with religion.

I was referring to politcal communism when writing "Marxism itself evolved into a secular religion". The communist ideology has many characteristics of a religion.

Then capitalism is a religion. I don't see any benefit by calling political systems religions.

Striving for goals that never can be attained is a mark of religion and communism is doing exactly that. Capitalism in comparison is realistic and pragmatic and does not strive for a final goal.

Final goal of capitalism is wealth.

[stevie]

I was referring to politcal communism when writing "Marxism itself evolved into a secular religion". The communist ideology has many characteristics of a religion.

Then capitalism is a religion. I don't see any benefit by calling political systems religions.

Striving for goals that never can be attained is a mark of religion and communism is doing exactly that. Capitalism in comparison is realistic and pragmatic and does not strive for a final goal.

Final goal of capitalism is wealth.

Individual wealth is realistic and can be attained. However a classless communist society has never been attained since it's an illusion like religious goals are.

[Sunday66]

Then capitalism is a religion. I don't see any benefit by calling political systems religions.

Striving for goals that never can be attained is a mark of religion and communism is doing exactly that. Capitalism in comparison is realistic and pragmatic and does not strive for a final goal.

Final goal of capitalism is wealth.

Individual wealth is realistic and can be attained. However a classless communist society has never been attained since it's an illusion like religious goals are.

I think you are conflating "religion" with "goals.
"

[EricPH]

That religion is a "sigh" of relief of the oppressed is very colorful description. The heart of a heartless world? I think it is going a bit too far. The soul of soulless conditions? No, unless soul is downgraded to an unacceptable level.

Millions die every year in the Third World; as a result of grinding poverty, starvation and preventable disease. If they find any comfort from God, this might be the only comfort they can have.

With the progress of democracy, can the masses be able to finally shake off the opiate, sooner or later?

Democracy is not the answer. How can democracy helped the starving millions?

[gad-fly]

secular in dictionary; not concerned with or related to religion. Hence secular religion is oxymoron. There may be semblance between Marxism, capitalism, and so on with religious practice, but linking one to another is not justified.

The issue is not whether and how close Marxist features have with traditional religion. The issue is on the critique launched by Marx on religion. I see that critique as the heaviest, the most substantive, and the most colorful yet. Sadly, corresponsive defense are few and far between.

Marx uses rhetoric: like soul in soulless, and heart in heartless, which strictly speaking does not make sense, but no one can deny his genius to transmit the message. Surely religion means much more to the masses.

[Sunday66]

secular in dictionary; not concerned with or related to religion. Hence secular religion is oxymoron. There may be semblance between Marxism, capitalism, and so on with religious practice, but linking one to another is not justified.

The issue is not whether and how close Marxist features have with traditional religion. The issue is on the critique launched by Marx on religion. I see that critique as the heaviest, the most substantive, and the most colorful yet. Sadly, corresponsive defense are few and far between.

Marx uses rhetoric: like soul in soulless, and heart in heartless, which strictly speaking does not make sense, but no one can deny his genius to transmit the message. Surely religion means much more to the masses.

Marx is saying that instead of fighting back politically and changing the system, the masses retreat into private life.

[gad-fly]

Marx is saying that instead of fighting back politically and changing the system, the masses retreat into private life.

Are you sure ? Please quote and interpret to support your argument.

Marx is a strong advocate of the Class Struggle, to overturn the capitalist system, based on analytical scientific economics. His referral to religion is a side step which he can do without. Read Das Kapital Vol 1 to 3 if you can.

[Sunday66]

Marx is saying that instead of fighting back politically and changing the system, the masses retreat into private life.

Are you sure ? Please quote and interpret to support your argument.

Marx is a strong advocate of the Class Struggle, to overturn the capitalist system, based on analytical scientific economics. His referral to religion is a side step which he can do without. Read Das Kapital Vol 1 to 3 if you can.

I have read Das Kapital. What point are you making?

[gad-fly]

Marx is saying that instead of fighting back politically and changing the system, the masses retreat into private life.

Are you sure ? Please quote and interpret to support your argument.

Marx is a strong advocate of the Class Struggle, to overturn the capitalist system, based on analytical scientific economics. His referral to religion is a side step which he can do without. Read Das Kapital Vol 1 to 3 if you can.

I have read Das Kapital. What point are you making?

No argument. You may be right. Please quote to support Marx persuading masses to retreat to private life.