Compare and contrast Durkheim and Karl Marx's view of religion. What was the purpose of religion?

Question

How does it function and interact with the rest of society?

Answer 1

Marx says that a function of religion can be of two things: consolation and confirmation. consolation for the proletariat because it says that (ex:they are poor in this world because they will be better of in the next). and confirmation for the bourgeoisie because (they are rich in this world which could only mean that they will still be greatly rewarded in the next) something like that.

Durkheim (i'm a bit rusty on this one), in his totemism presents religion as a norm. ex: do not harm the totem, do not have sexual relations with the totem. main point: God is nothing but society.

hope this helps...