More than Opium: Revisiting the Issue of Marx and Religion

Abstract

Marx’s theory of religion remains one of the most profound and complex aspects of his revolutionary proletarian doctrine, from the latter half of the nineteenth century to the present. The Marxist approach to religion in the Soviet Union and other former socialist states has shaped a lasting school of thought in understanding and responding to religious issues, rooted in Marx’s legacy. In the contemporary context, where the Communist Party of Vietnam and the State seek to refine and improve policies on religion, revisiting the question of “Marx’s legacy on religion” is particularly necessary. This study expands upon approaches that were previously unavailable and utilizes new sources to deepen analysis. The research addresses four major themes: (a) Marx and Religion; (b) Marx’s Legacy on Religion: The Reception and Traditional Marxist Critique; (c) Western Marxist Critique of Religion; and (d) Marx’s Legacy on Religion in Vietnam. A central conclusion of this study suggests the need for further understanding, comprehensive evaluation, and supplementation of Marx’s legacy on religion in the present era.