The Classical Marxist Critiques of Religion: Marx, Engels, Lenin, Kautsky
In view of the enormous number of works on Marxism in general and in light of the many books and articles touching on the relationship of Marxism to religion in particular, it may fairly be asked why yet another such work should be produced. My reply is t
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THE CLASSICAL MARXIST CRITIQUES OF RELIGION: MARX, ENGELS, LENIN, KAUTSKY by
DELOS B. MCKOWN
• MARTINUS NIJHOFF /THE HAGUE/1975
To Anna Louise who, in wifely ways, worked as hard as I to complete this book
© 1975 by Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, Netherlallds All rights reserved, including the right to translate or to reproduce this book or parts thereof in any form ISBN-13: 978-90-247-/656-2 DOl: /0.1007/978-94-010-/606-3
e-ISBN-13: 978-94-010-1606-3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements List of Symbols . Introduction
VII
IX
1
1: MARX'S CRITIQUE OF RELIGION Religion and the Unity of Marx's Thought The Beginning and End of Critisism . From Natural Religion to the Religion of Civil Society The Substance and Functions of Religion
6 6 13 21 42
2: ENGELS' CRITIQUE OF RELIGION Engels' Role in the Critisism of Religion . From the Inception of Religion to its Transcendence . The Masks and Disguises of Religion . The Unity of Engels' Critique of Religion .
61 61 65 86 90
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
3:
LENIN'S CRITIQUE OF RELIGION .
The Origins, Development, Substance, and Functions of Religion . Religion and the Unity of Marx, Engels, and Lenin . Shamefaced Idealism, God-Building, and the Disadvantages of Improved Religion 4: KAUTSKY'S CRITIQUE OF RELIGION . Toward a Developed Materialist Theory of Religion. Religion from Biblical Times to the Twentieth Century The Substance and Functions of Religion Kautsky: Stalwart Marxist or Renegade? .
94 94 108 114
CHAPTER
122 122 137 148 153
CONCLUSION
158
Bibliography
163
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As is normal in carrying out a work of this kind, numerous individuals gave aid in varying ways and degrees. I should like to acknowledge the assistance of those who gave most benefically and unstintingly of their time, talents, and criticisms. The first is Dr. Donald C. Hodges of the Philosophy Department of The Florida State University who, after reading the entire manuscript, made numerous suggestions that have enhanced its worth. The second is Dr. Chester W. Hartwig of the Sociology Department of Auburn University who also read the entire manuscript and who proved to be an unfailing source of insight during several long and probing conversations. The third is Mr. Oyde I. Wolverton of the Foreign Languages Department of Auburn University who, when needed, placed his expert knowledge of German at my disposal. Should error be found in this work, no blame can be attributed to the aforementioned friends and counselors, for, in the last analysis, all responsibility is mine alone. I am also especially indebted to Ms. Sandra Kent for her yeoman work in typing the first draft of the manuscript and to Ms. Hildegard Wolverton for her superb services in typing and in helping to correct the final draft. Finally, I wish to express appreciation for being granted permission to quote from the following sources: From The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life by Emile Durkheim, translated by J. W. Swain, copyrighted © 1915 by George Allen and Unwin Ltd., also published subsequently by Ma
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