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Summary MARX & LIBERATION THEOLOGY NOTES AND EVALUATION
In-depth, critical and evaluative A01 + A02 notes for the topic Liberation Theology for the Developments in Christian Thought unit for OCR Religious Studies.
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LIBERATION THEOLOGYMARX ON ALIENTATION AND EXPLOITATION
Fundamental evils of Capitalism: Alienation, dehumanisation, and
exploitation
Historical materialism: Based off Hegelian thought. When humans
and the material world are out of harmony, the system has
corrupted, and we are over-exerting ourselves. It’s process can be
compared to a potato slowly rotting from the inside.
Alienation: the worker is unable to put creativity nor autonomy over
the work he creates. Example: sweatshop workers unable to buy the
product they make themselves.
Praxis (Aspect of Hyperbolic doubt utilised here)
i) Analyse situation
ii) Identify the injustice
iii) Identify the causes
iv) Commence action against it
Religion and False Consciousness: With religion, revolution can
never happen. We are put into a “false consciousness”, where we
are almost delusional to the situation we are in and keeps us away
from rebellion.
“Religion is the opium of the people” and “the sigh of the oppressed
creature” and agrees with Feuerbach that God is simply a projection
of good human virtues.
LIBERATION THEOLOGY KEY BELIEFS
Focus is on solidarity with the poor and sees Christianity as
a way to respond to it.
Kingdom of God is on Earth and must be worked on there.
Liberation theologians believe that the Church should be involved in
the material conditions of society and should start “bottoms-up”
than simply legislating and teaching upon the poor.
With historical materialism, it can be said that reversal affirms the
notion that “the meek, shall inherit the earth” Psalms 37:11
Politics and spirituality should not be separate, so against Western
notion of separating the Church and State
LIBERATION THEOLOGY’S CRITICISM OF CAPITALISM (MIRANDA)
Bases his criticism on the Marxist notion that private property is
unjust, because it creates in the mind of the owner that
people who live on the land are objects
The Bible states a similar idea, and this radical idea has been
forgotten due to years of western theology:
i) Human nature: Capitalism is because of the Original Sin
, ii) Idolatry: Ownership goes against Ten Commandments, and its
abandonment has allowed for a rejection of God’s plan.
CONTEXT IN LATIN AMERICA
USA was scared of Communism and the “pink tide” movement
during the 1960s and 1970s
LT was almost an attack on both affluent society and US
Imperialism, the privatisation of morality
Most recent Martyr, Oscar Romero: Salvadorian priest who criticised
the US for giving military aid during the Civil War. Was assassinated
during Mass and was beatified in 2015.
GUIETTERIEZ
Jesus is the truth, but Marxism is a tool to fight against
structural sin. Christians must be political. (Archbishop Welby)
(Pinker and Humanitarian Principle)
Structural sin: Accepting the oppression in the system as it is
Conscientisation: becoming aware of structural sin; class
consciousness
Firstly people should be liberated from poverty and oppression, and
then they can be liberated from personal sin (Original Sin)
Catholic Church implicitly endorses Capitalist doctrine
SEGUNDO
Should not stand neutral and all Christians should take on a political
role
Believes personal sin should be addressed before structural
sin because it may not be possible to solve the socio-economic
issues in the world in our own lifetime.
THE CHURCH AND LA IGLESIA POPULAR
Integral liberation: the Church must promote liberation within the
institution
Should not ignore the rusty swords in the Church as an
institution- Bonhoeffer
Iglesia Popular: Controversial idea that ordinary people should be
involved in the workings of the Church, making it a community of
love and solidarity. Implicitly suggested that the Church was no
more than the extension of the State.
PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT FOR THE POOR
Term first used by Father Pedro Arrupe, Superior General of the
Jesuits (Jesuits sign themselves up to evangelical mission, even in
extreme conditions of poverty and injustice-true solidarity)
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