To begin with, it should be noted that Marx agrees with Bauer that religion should be abolished. Particularly, Marx despises religion because he believes that it not only belongs to the same ideological framework that supports capitalism, but also that it is often utilized as a tool to keep people enslaved. In Prussia, Christianity was used to condemn Judaism and Jewish people by banning them from occupations, and essentially relegating them to second-class citizens. Furthermore, Marx ([1843b] 1978) disapproves of the King of Prussia and how he alienates himself from his citizens because he believes he should be closer to God and the heavens, and is thus oblivious to their plight. Therefore, he is critical of German philosopher, Hegel’s deification
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For example, he says that in North America, there is no predominant religion, and that the states located there have become more politically-oriented than religiously-oriented. Thus, “the Jewish question loses its theological significance and becomes a truly secular question” ([1843b]1978: p. 30). Marx uses North America as an example again in his critique on liberal rights, however, this time he focuses exclusively on the United States. As previously mentioned, Bauer assumes that political emancipation will occur if the Jews and people in general, denounce religion. In other words, opposition towards a particular religion will be obsolete if religion ceases to exist at all in the political/public sphere. In contrast, Marx argues that the U.S. is the epitome of a country where religion no longer exists in the political sphere, however it nonetheless still exists, as people are free to practice whatever religion amongst themselves in the private sphere. He maintains, “…the state may have emancipated itself from religion, even though the immense majority of people continue to be religious. And the immense majority do not cease to be religious by virtue of being religious in private” ([1843b]1978: p. 32). Furthermore, Marx ([1843b] 1978) argues that even if the state removes religion, religion will still play a role in enslaving
For example, he says that in North America, there is no predominant religion, and that the states located there have become more politically-oriented than religiously-oriented. Thus, “the Jewish question loses its theological significance and becomes a truly secular question” ([1843b]1978: p. 30). Marx uses North America as an example again in his critique on liberal rights, however, this time he focuses exclusively on the United States. As previously mentioned, Bauer assumes that political emancipation will occur if the Jews and people in general, denounce religion. In other words, opposition towards a particular religion will be obsolete if religion ceases to exist at all in the political/public sphere. In contrast, Marx argues that the U.S. is the epitome of a country where religion no longer exists in the political sphere, however it nonetheless still exists, as people are free to practice whatever religion amongst themselves in the private sphere. He maintains, “…the state may have emancipated itself from religion, even though the immense majority of people continue to be religious. And the immense majority do not cease to be religious by virtue of being religious in private” ([1843b]1978: p. 32). Furthermore, Marx ([1843b] 1978) argues that even if the state removes religion, religion will still play a role in enslaving