"Religion is the opiate of the masses."
Karl Marx was a pussy as far as philosophy is concerned. sure, he's considered a philosopher, but he only really dealt with class wars and politics, he never really dipped into any other ideas. dont get me wrong, im not trying to belittle Marx's contribution to our thought process, he brought some interesting idea's to the table, im merely pointing out that he wasnt much of a philosopher.
that being said, i'd like to bring up an interesting quote from Marx that i have recently found to be completely misunderstood. everyone knows the quote "religion is the opiate of the masses," whether you know who said it or what it means, you at least know the quote. ive come recently come across a little gem of knowledge about this quote: its abridged; edited for time & space, if you will. lets look at the abridged quote v the full quote:
"Religion is the opiate of the masses."
v
"Religious suffering is at one and the same time the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. 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."
the abridged quote seems to suggest that religion is a tool of oppression; a method of control. while this is an interesting idea, i feel as though it is not what Marx was trying to say. if you read the full quote, Marx said "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature" as though religion is not a tool of oppression, but rather a symptom of oppression. it seems Marx was trying to say that religion is a last vestige of hope for the hopeless; an illusion of false optimism for those with nothing left. Marx continues on to suggest that the destruction of religion is the cry for true happiness and true hope from the masses; the realization that something is wrong and religion isnt the answer.
"The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness. To call on them to give up their illusions about their condition is to call on them to give up a condition that requires illusions. The criticism of religion is therefore in embryo the criticism of that vale of tears of which religion is the halo."
religion is not a method of oppression, but rather a symptom....
-sid
that being said, i'd like to bring up an interesting quote from Marx that i have recently found to be completely misunderstood. everyone knows the quote "religion is the opiate of the masses," whether you know who said it or what it means, you at least know the quote. ive come recently come across a little gem of knowledge about this quote: its abridged; edited for time & space, if you will. lets look at the abridged quote v the full quote:
"Religion is the opiate of the masses."
v
"Religious suffering is at one and the same time the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. 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."
the abridged quote seems to suggest that religion is a tool of oppression; a method of control. while this is an interesting idea, i feel as though it is not what Marx was trying to say. if you read the full quote, Marx said "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature" as though religion is not a tool of oppression, but rather a symptom of oppression. it seems Marx was trying to say that religion is a last vestige of hope for the hopeless; an illusion of false optimism for those with nothing left. Marx continues on to suggest that the destruction of religion is the cry for true happiness and true hope from the masses; the realization that something is wrong and religion isnt the answer.
"The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness. To call on them to give up their illusions about their condition is to call on them to give up a condition that requires illusions. The criticism of religion is therefore in embryo the criticism of that vale of tears of which religion is the halo."
religion is not a method of oppression, but rather a symptom....
-sid