1. Learning how to answer 9 and 18 mark questions

2. 60 marks – 90 minutes 9 marks: 13 minutes 18 marks: 27 minutes

3. Writing 9 mark answers

4. AO1 (3 Marks) AO2 (6 Marks)

5. Identify and briefly explain three reasons…(9 marks)

6. Bullet point A01: Identification of reason/factor
A02: Application of evidence
A02: Explanation of how this relates back to the question and the implications of this reason.

7. Identify and briefly explain three reasons why in which women may be disadvantaged by religion today. (9 marks)
Identification: Religious organizations are often male dominated. A02 application of evidence: Many religions such as Orthodox Judaism, Islam and Catholicism do not allow female priests. Even more liberal Christian denominations such as the Church of England have only allowed female priests since A02 explanation and link back to question: This is clearly a disadvantage because it means that it is men who are positions of power and they are more prone to interpret their religion with a male bias.

8. Identify and briefly explain three reasons why in which women may be disadvantaged by religion today. (9 marks)
Religious organizations are often male dominated. Many religions such as Orthodox Judaism, Islam and Catholicism do not allow female priests. Even more liberal Christian denominations such as the Church of England have only allowed female priests since This is clearly a disadvantage because it means that it is men who are positions of power and they are more prone to interpret their religion with a male bias.
Sacred texts are often heavily androcentric. The two most important prophets in Islam and Christianity (the world’s biggest religions) are male – Muhammad and Jesus. Moreover, in the bible God is often referred to “Him” and “He”, thus God is seen to be male rather than female. Therefore, women are seen to be marginalized and largely invisible in these texts – they tend to be helpers or victims rather than figures of power.
Traditionally, places of worship have favoured men. For example, in medieval times churches often used screens to segregate men and women. More recently, Islam still prohibits women and men from praying together. Indeed, most mosques are male only and women are given special dispensation to pray at home. Whilst many argue that this is a privilege for women, others would argue that this is another example of their second class status in Islam.

9. Writing 18 mark answers

10. AO1 (6 Marks) AO2 (12 Marks)

11. A01
Knowledge will be broader and/or deeper and more conceptually detailed.
Answers will show an understanding of a range of sociological material.
Material will be drawn from the item and elsewhere.

12. AO2
Interpretation and application will be thorough, accurate and comprehensive. Answers show greater sensitivity and sophistication in interpretation of the question and selection/ application of materials. Analysis and evaluation will be explicit. Evaluation will be more balanced. Analysis may follow a clear rationale, logical ordering and lead to a distinct conclusion.

13. 1. (b) Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the idea that religion is a form of false class consciousness (18 marks)
PLAN:
1. Introduction.
2. How religious IS a form of false class consciousness – Marx and the opium of the people. Justification of social injustice, promise of eternal life, Caste System.
3. How religion IS NOT a form of false class consciousness – Maduro and Liberation Theology. Church of England, challenging bankers. Civil rights.
4. Conclusion.

14. False class consciousness is the Marxist idea that individuals and groups living in a capitalist society, such as the UK, are distracted from and kept unaware of the true source of theirs and others oppression: capitalist exploitation. This essay will briefly assess if religion is indeed a source of false class consciousness or if it works to enlighten followers’ lives and to challenge the powerful oppressors in capitalist society.
False class consciousness is the Marxist idea that individuals and groups living in a capitalist society, such as the UK, are distracted from and kept unaware of the true source of theirs and others oppression: capitalist exploitation. This essay will briefly assess if religion is indeed a source of false class consciousness or if it works to enlighten followers’ lives and to challenge the powerful oppressors in capitalist society.

15. Marx likened religion to ‘the opiate of the masses’
Marx likened religion to ‘the opiate of the masses’. By this analogy, he meant that religion acted like a powerful drug: anaesthetizing and hypnotizing religious populations into believing that life wasn’t as bad as they ordinarily felt. This promise of eternal life was socially constructed by religious organisations like the Christian Church to make life more bearable and to prevent any challenge to the capitalist hierarchy. That religion, with its messages of poverty being a virtue rewarded with everlasting life, was designed and used by the powerful to keep populations of working class people subjugated and the ruling class justified in their high status. A biblical passage which has frequently been used to reinforce this dogma is “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” This is a clear example of a theodicy of non-privilege or a compensator to the poor and one designed to prevent them from confronting the source of their oppression: the capitalist elite.
Marx likened religion to ‘the opiate of the masses’. By this analogy, he meant that religion acted like a powerful drug: anaesthetizing and hypnotizing religious populations into believing that life wasn’t as bad as they ordinarily felt. This promise of eternal life was socially constructed by religious organisations like the Christian Church to make life more bearable and to prevent any challenge to the capitalist hierarchy. That religion, with its messages of poverty being a virtue rewarded with everlasting life, was designed and used by the powerful to keep populations of working class people subjugated and the ruling class justified in their high status. A biblical passage which has frequently been used to reinforce this dogma is “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” This is a clear example of a theodicy of non-privilege or a compensator to the poor and one designed to prevent them from confronting the source of their oppression: the capitalist elite.
Marx likened religion to ‘the opiate of the masses’. By this analogy, he meant that religion acted like a powerful drug: anaesthetizing and hypnotizing religious populations into believing that life wasn’t as bad as they ordinarily felt. This promise of eternal life was socially constructed by religious organisations like the Christian Church to make life more bearable and to prevent any challenge to the capitalist hierarchy. That religion, with its messages of poverty being a virtue rewarded with everlasting life, was designed and used by the powerful to keep populations of working class people subjugated and the ruling class justified in their high status. A biblical passage which has frequently been used to reinforce this dogma is “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” This is a clear example of a theodicy of non-privilege or a compensator to the poor and one designed to prevent them from confronting the source of their oppression: the capitalist elite.
Marx likened religion to ‘the opiate of the masses’. By this analogy, he meant that religion acted like a powerful drug: anaesthetizing and hypnotizing religious populations into believing that life wasn’t as bad as they ordinarily felt. This promise of eternal life was socially constructed by religious organisations like the Christian Church to make life more bearable and to prevent any challenge to the capitalist hierarchy. That religion, with its messages of poverty being a virtue rewarded with everlasting life, was designed and used by the powerful to keep populations of working class people subjugated and the ruling class justified in their high status. A biblical passage which has frequently been used to reinforce this dogma is “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” This is a clear example of a theodicy of non-privilege or a compensator to the poor and one designed to prevent them from confronting the source of their oppression: the capitalist elite.
Marx likened religion to ‘the opiate of the masses’. By this analogy, he meant that religion acted like a powerful drug: anaesthetizing and hypnotizing religious populations into believing that life wasn’t as bad as they ordinarily felt. This promise of eternal life was socially constructed by religious organisations like the Christian Church to make life more bearable and to prevent any challenge to the capitalist hierarchy. That religion, with its messages of poverty being a virtue rewarded with everlasting life, was designed and used by the powerful to keep populations of working class people subjugated and the ruling class justified in their high status. A biblical passage which has frequently been used to reinforce this dogma is “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” This is a clear example of a theodicy of non-privilege or a compensator to the poor and one designed to prevent them from confronting the source of their oppression: the capitalist elite.

16. The notion of “seek and ye shall find” is an example of the hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth instead of using human endeavour and argument. This make the present more acceptable and prevents challenge to the capitalist elite. Religion has also used other ‘sound bites’ to justify the social order & class system & each person’s position within it. “The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate, God made them high and lowly and ordered their estate.” The Caste system in India has also worked to this effect; justifying the fabulous wealth and status of the Brahmins in comparison to the poverty and subjugation of the Dhalits in terms of their good or bad karma. This, in effect relinquishes all responsibility for social justice from the powerful elite and lays the blame squarely with each person’s moral behaviour. However, Marxist ideas of religion as a source of false class consciousness are undermined in postmodern society where it can be argued, most ideological influence, particularly in Europe, comes from the media.
The notion of “seek and ye shall find” is an example of the hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth instead of using human endeavour and argument. This make the present more acceptable and prevents challenge to the capitalist elite. Religion has also used other ‘sound bites’ to justify the social order & class system & each person’s position within it. “The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate, God made them high and lowly and ordered their estate.” The Caste system in India has also worked to this effect; justifying the fabulous wealth and status of the Brahmins in comparison to the poverty and subjugation of the Dhalits in terms of their good or bad karma. This, in effect relinquishes all responsibility for social justice from the powerful elite and lays the blame squarely with each person’s moral behaviour. However, Marxist ideas of religion as a source of false class consciousness are undermined in postmodern society where it can be argued, most ideological influence, particularly in Europe, comes from the media.
The notion of “seek and ye shall find” is an example of the hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth instead of using human endeavour and argument. This make the present more acceptable and prevents challenge to the capitalist elite. Religion has also used other ‘sound bites’ to justify the social order & class system & each person’s position within it. “The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate, God made them high and lowly and ordered their estate.” The Caste system in India has also worked to this effect; justifying the fabulous wealth and status of the Brahmins in comparison to the poverty and subjugation of the Dhalits in terms of their good or bad karma. This, in effect relinquishes all responsibility for social justice from the powerful elite and lays the blame squarely with each person’s moral behaviour. However, Marxist ideas of religion as a source of false class consciousness are undermined in postmodern society where it can be argued, most ideological influence, particularly in Europe, comes from the media.
The notion of “seek and ye shall find” is an example of the hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth instead of using human endeavour and argument. This make the present more acceptable and prevents challenge to the capitalist elite. Religion has also used other ‘sound bites’ to justify the social order & class system & each person’s position within it. “The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate, God made them high and lowly and ordered their estate.” The Caste system in India has also worked to this effect; justifying the fabulous wealth and status of the Brahmins in comparison to the poverty and subjugation of the Dhalits in terms of their good or bad karma. This, in effect relinquishes all responsibility for social justice from the powerful elite and lays the blame squarely with each person’s moral behaviour. However, Marxist ideas of religion as a source of false class consciousness are undermined in postmodern society where it can be argued, most ideological influence, particularly in Europe, comes from the media.
The notion of “seek and ye shall find” is an example of the hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth instead of using human endeavour and argument. This make the present more acceptable and prevents challenge to the capitalist elite. Religion has also used other ‘sound bites’ to justify the social order & class system & each person’s position within it. “The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate, God made them high and lowly and ordered their estate.” The Caste system in India has also worked to this effect; justifying the fabulous wealth and status of the Brahmins in comparison to the poverty and subjugation of the Dhalits in terms of their good or bad karma. This, in effect relinquishes all responsibility for social justice from the powerful elite and lays the blame squarely with each person’s moral behaviour. However, Marxist ideas of religion as a source of false class consciousness are undermined in postmodern society where it can be argued, most ideological influence, particularly in Europe, comes from the media.
The notion of “seek and ye shall find” is an example of the hope of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth instead of using human endeavour and argument. This make the present more acceptable and prevents challenge to the capitalist elite. Religion has also used other ‘sound bites’ to justify the social order & class system & each person’s position within it. “The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate, God made them high and lowly and ordered their estate.” The Caste system in India has also worked to this effect; justifying the fabulous wealth and status of the Brahmins in comparison to the poverty and subjugation of the Dhalits in terms of their good or bad karma. This, in effect relinquishes all responsibility for social justice from the powerful elite and lays the blame squarely with each person’s moral behaviour. However, Marxist ideas of religion as a source of false class consciousness are undermined in postmodern society where it can be argued, most ideological influence, particularly in Europe, comes from the media.

17. Neo-Marxism has a very different idea of the potential of religion to actively challenge social injustice and to inspire revolution. Maduro’s work on the Liberation Theology of South America shows how, in some cases, religion can work to actively bring about class consciousness and a real awareness of the injustice experienced by the poor. The preaching of Liberation Theology has also inspired followers to actively challenge the oppressors, such as Right wing oppressive governments. Maduro argues that Liberation Theology preached that it was the duty of all church members to fight against unjust and oppressive right-wing dictatorships. For example, in 1979, Catholic revolutionaries supported the overthrow of the oppressive government of Nicaragua.
Neo-Marxism has a very different idea of the potential of religion to actively challenge social injustice and to inspire revolution. Maduro’s work on the Liberation Theology of South America shows how, in some cases, religion can work to actively bring about class consciousness and a real awareness of the injustice experienced by the poor. The preaching of Liberation Theology has also inspired followers to actively challenge the oppressors, such as Right wing oppressive governments. Maduro argues that Liberation Theology preached that it was the duty of all church members to fight against unjust and oppressive right-wing dictatorships. For example, in 1979, Catholic revolutionaries supported the overthrow of the oppressive government of Nicaragua.
Neo-Marxism has a very different idea of the potential of religion to actively challenge social injustice and to inspire revolution. Maduro’s work on the Liberation Theology of South America shows how, in some cases, religion can work to actively bring about class consciousness and a real awareness of the injustice experienced by the poor. The preaching of Liberation Theology has also inspired followers to actively challenge the oppressors, such as right wing oppressive governments. Maduro argues that Liberation Theology preached that it was the duty of all church members to fight against unjust and oppressive right-wing dictatorships. For example, in 1979, Catholic revolutionaries supported the overthrow of the oppressive government of Nicaragua.
Neo-Marxism has a very different idea of the potential of religion to actively challenge social injustice and to inspire revolution. Maduro’s work on the Liberation Theology of South America shows how, in some cases, religion can work to actively bring about class consciousness and a real awareness of the injustice experienced by the poor. The preaching of Liberation Theology has also inspired followers to actively challenge the oppressors, such as Right wing oppressive governments. Maduro argues that Liberation Theology preached that it was the duty of all church members to fight against unjust and oppressive right-wing dictatorships. For example, in 1979, Catholic revolutionaries supported the overthrow of the oppressive government of Nicaragua.
Neo-Marxism has a very different idea of the potential of religion to actively challenge social injustice and to inspire revolution. Maduro’s work on the Liberation Theology of South America shows how, in some cases, religion can work to actively bring about class consciousness and a real awareness of the injustice experienced by the poor. The preaching of Liberation Theology has also inspired followers to actively challenge the oppressors, such as Right wing oppressive governments. Maduro argues that Liberation Theology preached that it was the duty of all church members to fight against unjust and oppressive right-wing dictatorships. For example, in 1979, Catholic revolutionaries supported the overthrow of the oppressive government of Nicaragua.

18. This is possible, so argues Maduro, because religion has some independence or relative autonomy from the capitalist economic system. This relative autonomy is evident in the Church of England currently where they have supported the Occupy London protest against corporate greed. At Christmas 2011, Archbishop Rowan Williams openly criticised the government and the ruling capitalist elite for their exploitation of the working class. This is a clear example of how religion can actively encourage its followers to open their eyes to the oppressive nature of capitalism and consumerism; to bring about class consciousness.
This is possible, so argues Maduro, because religion has some independence or relative autonomy from the capitalist economic system. This relative autonomy is evident in the Church of England currently where they have supported the Occupy London protest against corporate greed. At Christmas 2011, Archbishop Rowan Williams openly criticised the government and the ruling capitalist elite for their exploitation of the working class. This is a clear example of how religion can actively encourage its followers to open their eyes to the oppressive nature of capitalism and consumerism; to bring about class consciousness.
This is possible, so argues Maduro, because religion has some independence or relative autonomy from the capitalist economic system. This relative autonomy is evident in the Church of England currently where they have supported the Occupy London protest against corporate greed. At Christmas 2011, Archbishop Rowan Williams openly criticised the government and the ruling capitalist elite for their exploitation of the working class. This is a clear example of how religion can actively encourage its followers to open their eyes to the oppressive nature of capitalism and consumerism; to bring about class consciousness.
This is possible, so argues Maduro, because religion has some independence or relative autonomy from the capitalist economic system. This relative autonomy is evident in the Church of England currently where they have supported the Occupy London protest against corporate greed. At Christmas 2011, Archbishop Rowan Williams openly criticised the government and the ruling capitalist elite for their exploitation of the ruling class. This is a clear example of how religion can actively encourage its followers to open their eyes to the oppressive nature of capitalism and consumerism; to bring about class consciousness.

19. To sum up, it seems that as religion has become less powerful in Europe, it has become the mouth-piece of the oppressed in challenging capitalist exploitation and bringing about class consciousness. However, in America, where Christianity is becoming stronger all the time, its right wing branch of Dominionism is being utilised to bring about false class consciousness to keep the population ignorant of the real source of their oppression: rampant capitalism.
To sum up, it seems that as religion has become less powerful in Europe, it has become the mouth-piece of the oppressed in challenging capitalist exploitation and bringing about class consciousness. However, in America, where Christianity is becoming stronger all the time, its right wing branch of Dominionism is being utilised to bring about false class consciousness to keep the population ignorant of the real source of their oppression: rampant capitalism.