Religion as Class Ideology 4. It tends to create a system of true equality. In undertaking an accurate interpretation of three sociological perspectives, I will make a reasoned evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses in Marxism, Functionalism and Feminism.From the three chosen sociological perspectives I will also look at their individual views on religion and the family. The strength of the functionalist theory is that it a macro level structural theory which uses an organic analogy- using the body as a way to describe the different parts within society. They may also agree with Marxists about the amount of Strengths Feminists may appreciate the fact that Marxists have recognised how women within the nuclear family are a) treated as the property of men and b) used as means of producing babies so that sons can inherit property. Religion can in fact be a force for social change. DeCuir-Gunby (2006, p. 107) argues that the case of Josephine DeCuir ‘evokes many questions about the present-day role of mulitiracialism’, making reference to the 2000 U.S. Census that for the first time gave individuals the opportunity to ‘identify multiracially’ (p. 108). A strength of the functionalist theory is that it a macro level structural theory which uses an organic analogy- using the body as a way to describe the different parts within society. Basically, Marx was a communist, political journalist and an advocate for human rights, but his philosophy—Marxism—is a very important aspect in some of the world’s societies to identify. In many societies, kinship, religion, and ethnicity seem to have provided. In reality, according to Marx, nature is an impersonal force which imposes limitations on man’s capacity to act, but nature can be understood scientifically and manipulated rationally, via technology, potentially for the benefit of man-kind. Marxist theories of religion 1. Western culture’s prey are racial or religious minorities, women, and those behaving in ways previously considered anti-social. Universality of Religion 6. Abstracting different portions of society into different groups allows easier analysis for interactions between these groups. Share. Marxist theory informed many of history’s most murderous tyrants. Marx himself gives a clear picture of the problems of class-based capitalism. Religious suffering is, at one and the same time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Science and technology in the twenty-first century have reached a stage of unprecedented growth, but still there is influence of religion. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. One of the strengths of Functionalism is that it asserts that there are purposes for social conditions or facts. Godelier is a strong advocate of anthropology embracing a Marxist theory with a. properly confronting either the strengths or the weaknesses of Marxist theory”. We have received quite a few e-mails from our subscribers asking about the attitude of Marxists to religion, relating not only to Marxism and Christianity, but also to Islam. Neo-Marxism . Criticism of Marx’s Theory of Religion: Marx’s theory of religion is faced with few criticisms. In Marxist theory, if people have control over it, work is actually enjoyable: many people engage in ‘work’ as part of their hobbies: if left to their own devices, people will naturally engage in work because it gives them a sense of satisfaction: as an example think of a car … Functionalist theory is a macro sociological theory that is based on the characteristics of social patterns, structures, social systems and institutions such as family, education, religion, leisure, the … Lenin and Religion 7. Marx’s theory of religion needs to be seen in the context of his general view of society, capitalism dominates the working class Whereas functionalism sees religion as a unifying force that strengthens the value consensus and is a feature of all societies. Sources of Marx’s Thought 3. Religion and Science 5. For functionalists, society is seen as a system of social institutions such as the economy, religion and the family all of which perform socialisation functions. Strengths; Developed in response of criticisms of Marxism; Focuses on importance of culture and ideology as a way to maintain ruling class hegemony. Source: Essay UK - http://www.essay.uk.com/coursework/the-strengths-and-weaknesses-of-the-marxist-theory-of-reae.php About this resource This coursework was submitted to us by a student in order to help you with your studies. Dialectical materialism Alan Woods Marxism and Religion Theory: Dialectical materialism Theory: Marxism and Religion . Here are its strengths and weaknesses: List of Strengths of Marxism. Conflict theory has strengths in its macro view of society. eg Liberation theory, Iranian revolution. Get an answer for 'What are the strengths and weaknesses of Marxism?'