Religion as a Tool for Balancing - Assignment Example

? Religion: A tool for Balancing Religion: A Tool for Balancing There is no one platform tothe question, for there are different perspectives and opinions about dealing with and believing in a certain answer. Before, expressing any one view it is necessary to consider the different school of thoughts. This consideration will aid in forming and expressing an opinion that will have firm bases. Before the essay progresses it is imperative to shed light upon the background of religion as per the historians and writers alike. The following paper consists of authentic journal articles and books which highlight differing perspectives on religion. Where some of the theorists and historians believed that the society was stabilized with the help of the existence of religion. On the contrary others emphasize that conflicts with in society is due to the surfacing of the concept of religion. The latter, believes that it does not stabilize society rather it instils hatred in the heart of believers in directly that becomes the reason for the conflict eventually, within a society. In the sands of time, lies the supporting evidence which suggests that religion has always attracted the west as a form intuition that has provided solace to those who are lost and oppressed. Western historians have always pinpointed that religion that can act as a source for revival for those who are in trouble or are in search of hope, and seemingly the religious institutions have never failed to provide hope and courage in the face of difficulties. Nevertheless, Steve Bruce argues that modernization and surfacing individualism has re-shaped the concept of religion altogether. The religious beliefs and practices, as well as the standing and position of religion have been altered in the western society (Bruce, 1996). Bruce mentions that in the Middle Ages, religion was straightforward that taught if a certain act was not followed than the hell awaits the individual. Moreover, religion was explained to the masses in Latin which everyone was not aware of, those who professed religion would deliver sermons in the church in Latin and individuals were expected to listen to it and act morally. Saints exerted power for women to get rid of their husbands, while other Saints possessed the power to fight the evil and save the crops and the men. Church back then set the state laws decided among the priests. Therefore, it can be put in to words by saying that back then religion and cult were parallels (Bruce, 1996). However, the new age of religion surfaced with the entrance of Martin Luther. With his arrival church was changed by introducing different languages. Individuals could now understand what was delivered as sermon in the church, Hymns were sung in folk melodies, and an individualistic approach to God was developed. This approach took a new turn and meaning. People did what they felt was right not what was told to them was right. This introduction of individualism brought with it differing sects, church denominations became secondary, new religions in its wake raised heads. Thus, Bruce emphasizes that freedom in religion is what one could refer to as cult, which will further define religion in the 21st century (Bruce, 1996). Nevertheless, Marx’s Conflict Theory emphasizes the view that in order to control the society there are certain classes that develop tools. These classes have developed the lust to stay in power and in control of those under them. Therefore, in order to maintain the position and status quo, tools such as values, norms, and religion are manufactured; including ideology and coercion ideology in order to maintain their position. To Marx religion served as the one of those tools of the Elite class, he emphasized that religion was an ideology that indirectly or directly justified the control and rule of the upper-class. Therefore, it will not be wrong in saying that for Marx the conflict was between the classes and the rat race of staying ahead was the focal point of the upper-class (Roberts & Yamane, 2011). Furthermore, his theory emphasized that in order to make individuals conform in this world religion promised a rewarding afterlife. This highlighted the fact that the Elite could enjoy the bounties of the world conveniently; where as the one belonging to the working class was wrapped in the torrents of life making the end meets and finding solace in religion for troubles rather being practical about the situation and finding a solution to his troubles. Marxist theory has many examples to set forth one such example is of the Hindu belief in reincarnation, that has set bridge for the lower castes in India to conform to the laws of dharma granting them a way to reincarnate into a higher caste level. However, those who disobey in this world are thought to reincarnate in to some smaller animal in the new life. Such beliefs shuns the ability of individuals to protest and fight against the strong systems that want to remain in power (Roberts & Yamane, 2011). In “Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right: Introduction.” Marx suggests that religion is a way of the elite to control the working class. In order to do so, he stated that religion is the opium of the masses, this statement clearly implies that the according to Marx, religion is produced by the society in a way that it provides individuals with a view that inverts the reality of the world. As per the statement, it can be said that the religion makes the material world a secondary achievement and prioritizes the intangible and unseen, such as hell, heaven, and Day of Judgment as the basic focus that is to be achieved in the life after death depending upon the deeds in the existing world (Townsley, 2013; Robert, 2005). Like Marx others such as Durkheim and Weber, also believed that religion was the manufacture with the pretence to condition individuals in the society. To Marx, Weber, and Durkheim religion is the sigh of the oppressed. They emphasize that usually the one for whom the realities of the world are harsh are the ones whose souls are closely embedded with religion (Townsley, 2013; Robert, 2005). Nevertheless, not all the theorists and Historians, emphasize the mirror image view of Marx; neither do they believe that the society is well stabilized. To these theorists and historians, the society is a mix of interest groups, who seek to fulfil their own self-interests. They believe and emphasize that the society consists of beliefs and values that were developed under self-interest rather with consensus; and it is these generated values and belief system that only work under two supposed conditions - one of which is, when there is a temporary balance of power among the interest groups or one group has gained and has maintained enough power that it is able to exert stability through its power. Moreover, religion is one of those interest groups that have interests in maintain and exerting power over individuals (Roberts & Yamane, 2011). Nonetheless, they further put forth the argument that religion being a self-interest groups keep the masses in to conflicting belief systems. One such example is of Christians and Jews; individuals who belonged to the Christian Value system automatically developed hatred for the Jews and vice versa. The historic background of Christianity and Judaism suggests that they both have coexisted in the western society, since the Christianity was the majority therefore, it has ruled over the Jews; nevertheless, Jews were welcomed on their land for they possessed the skills that the Christian land required. Thus, conflicts among the religious belief systems and conflicts within the religious belief system such as Catholics and Protestants are means to fuel the conflict to exert power and control. Hence, the theory of Marx similarly suggests that the conflict within a society is maintained with the aid of differing tools one of which is religion (Roberts & Yamane, 2011). Therefore, religion in a society is a tool to maintain power and to stabilize the society. There are innumerable evidences in the history that suggests that religion has often taken the form of seed for a conflict that has erupted among religious intuitions and within them as well. If the history in the making of religions is considered then one will come across many conflicts and tales of bravery that suggest fighting in the name of religion. One such example is of Islam as well as Christianity. The above-mentioned information about the Christians and Jews as well as the emergence of Catholics and Protestants implies that religion is a means to stabilize society, but it is also the means of conflict within a society. This conflict is maintained with the assistance of the religious institutions to maintain power and sustain balance in the society. There may be multifaceted perspectives in sociology that emphasizes the importance of religion in the society under different light. However, the conflict theory of Marx and the opinion of other theorists and historians that indirectly stand under the banner of Marxist perspective initiate that religion is the bases of maintaining a balance with in a society as well as the power of the ruling class (Radcliffe-Brown, 1945). List of References Bruce, S., 1996. Religion in the Modern World. New York: USA. Radcliffe-Brown, R., 1945. Religion and Society. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, 75(1/2), pp.33-43. Robert, T., 2005. Rhetorics of Ideology and Criticism in the Study of Religion. The Journal of Religion, 85(3), pp.367-89. Roberts, K. & Yamane, D., 2011. Religion in Sociological Perspective. California: Pine Forge Press. Townsley, J., 2013. Marx, Weber and Durkheim on Religion. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 10 January 2013]. Read More