Religion Module #2: Karl Marx & Capitalism

Marx talks briefly about the ______________ of commodities in capitalist societies. This refers to the ______________ of objects.

fetishism, religious worship

American Dollars always have the phrase "In God We Trust" printed on the back. Why does this appear?

Americans in the 1950s wanted to suggest that the combination of religion and capitalism made them stronger than the Soviet Union.

Marx thinks religion is a product of what?

Human Society

Marx thought capitalism valued the social relationships between objects/things MORE THAN the social relationships between human beings.

True

Marx was very critical of the economic system 'capitalism'

True

According to the Module 2 Video, which of the following are key characteristics of a capitalist economy?

Wages for work, money, private ownership of property, free markets

Marx thinks that it is a big problem that capitalist societies ________________.

Attach social and magical qualities to material objects.

During his lifetime, Marx and his family suffered many hardships because of his _____________ background.

Jewish

Marx famously said that religion is the "opium of the people". According to the Module 2 Video, what did Marx mean by this?

Religion eases the pain caused by the unjust economic system of capitalism.

Which of the following would Marx say is FALSE in regard to religion?

Religion provides tangible, practical solutions to the most serious problems people face (namely, their economic problems).