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Full Idea
Religion is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness.
Gist of Idea
Religion is the opium of the people, and real happiness requires its abolition
Source
Karl Marx (Contrib to Critique of Hegel's Phil of Right [1844], Intro)
Book Ref
'Varieties of Unbelief', ed/tr. Gaskin,J.C.A. [Macmillan 1989], p.158
A Reaction
Not being religious myself, I have some sympathy with this ringing clarion-call. However, while opium satisfies an artificial and superficial need, religion certainly seems to speak to something deeper and more central in people.
Related Idea
Idea 21085 The church has a political role, by offering a supreme power over people [Kant]
| 21991 | The middle class gain freedom through property, but workers can only free all of humanity [Marx, by Singer] |
| 7128 | Religion is the opium of the people, and real happiness requires its abolition [Marx] |
| 21990 | Theory is as much a part of a revolution as material force is [Marx] |