“Criticism has plucked the imaginary flowers on the chain not in order that man shall continue to bear that chain without fantasy or consolation, but so that he shall throw off the chain and pluck the living flower.” –Karl Marx. (1844)
Every argument has a counter argument. It is likely that many religious believers strongly refuted the words and teachings of Karl Marx. However, the arguments that he has made seem to ask those questions that were prevalent in the minds of even the most religious. While Marx is literally playing devil’s advocate with the teachings of organized religion, his bold judgments of religion seem to be, at the very least, legitimate opinions.
One of the most difficult questions for any follower of religion is “Why must I suffer while others prosper?” It is true that many people in positions of power have used religion as an excuse to keep their subordinates down. This tactic was used by slave owners in America to make their slaves comply. Marx makes a good observation when he states “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature”. Slaves did not comply with their masters because they loved them; they complied because they thought that if God made their life that way, then it was supposed to be that way. Though some religions have recreated this way of thinking to make rising from your low status a strength as opposed to a revolt, Marx was only poking the same holes in unified religion that already existed.
Karl Marx is often deemed malignant and as a disturber of the peace for criticizing religion, though all he ever did was ask those questions and point out those flaws in religion that already existed. His arguments were countered many times, and were deemed ignorant and untruthful by many who strictly followed a religion. So why is it that Marx is still seen today as so controversial? Could it be because those questions that he dared to ask are questions that many religions still struggle with today?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I agree with you in many ways, however; when you discuss about how the slaves feel about their positions as being under the reign of the slave owners, I believe that many did not believe that that is where god put them. I feel as if there were some who believed that but also there were some who understood their positions in society and did not want or think that they should be there. I think Marx also did more then ask questions. He made some harsh statements about his beliefs about religion and the negative aspects of it. His questioning went a little farther and analyzed. I liked your paper. It made me look at Marx at a different angle. It was different!
"However, the arguments that he has made seem to ask those questions that were prevalent in the minds of even the most religious. While Marx is literally playing devil’s advocate with the teachings of organized religion, his bold judgments of religion seem to be, at the very least, legitimate opinions."
Well said Lindsay! I feel the same exact way. Although I don't condone some of the harsh statements and ways that Marx went about articulating his ideas, I firmly believe that he was being very brave and wise in his judgements. There are flaws and missing "holes" in all religions, and Marx was simply trying to point this out to the people who are blind to the fact that there are flaws in everything. I think that to fully understand your religion, you have to know the both the wonders and the flaws involved. Just because someone recognizes and acknowleges flaws in their personal religion, does not mean that they are no longer a believer and can no longer be apart of that religious affiliation.
Post a Comment