What was the opiate of the masses according to Marx

In so doing marx sought to indicate that religion was an opiate that deadened the senses of the people to the crass exploitation to which they were subjected by the ruling classes of society.Much as capitalism takes our productive labor and alienates us from its value, religion takes our highest ideals and aspirations and alienates us from them, projecting them onto an alien and unknowable being called a god.Marx had predicted that the expropriation of surplus value by the bourgeoisie as a result of their.Religion is the opiate of the masses a famous quote made by karl marx, so relevant in a irish society that still upheld a class orientated prejudice society nearly a century after the quote was written.According to karl marx, religion in this world of exploitation is an expression of distress and at the same time it is also a protest against the real distress.

The quote religion is the opiate of the masses written by karl marx, was written in the mid 19th century.According to marx, one of the main 'functions' of religion is to prevent people making demands for social change by dulling pain of oppression, as follows:If we analyze these words positively karl marx means that re … view the full answer previous question next questionAd by the penny hoarder all related (33) sort recommended ron quasebarthReligion is the opium of the people.

It kept them focused on.Marx's opinion was that religion is an illusion that provides reasons and excuses to keep society functioning just as it is.In other words, religion continues to survive because of oppressive social conditions.Marx's idea of religion as the opium of the masses is usually not understood.