An Analysis of Religion, Social Class, and Economic Factors

This essay examines the complex relationship between religion, economic factors, and social class, drawing on the foundational theories of Max Weber and Karl Marx. It explores how religious beliefs and practices can influence economic conditions, particularly within capitalist societies, and how social divisions impact the economic status of individuals. The essay contrasts Marx's emphasis on economic determinism with Weber's perspective on the reciprocal influence of religion and economy, focusing on the 'Protestant work ethic' and its impact. It also discusses how social and religious distinctions are used to create barriers. The paper concludes by emphasizing the ongoing relevance of these sociological perspectives in understanding modern social and economic dynamics, highlighting how social and political identities can affect economic opportunities.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION
Sociology of Religion
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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The concept of religion has some connections with the economy and class factors as Max
Weber and Karl Marx has put it. There are very close connections between the two. The impact
of religion is very clear in the class distinctions within the society. The impact of class is very
crucial for the understanding the social status of the workers. This paper will look to put through
the facts how both the religion and the social classes have shaped the economy within various
countries (Attanasi and Yong 2012). They have stressed on the impacts of these aspects on the
capitalist countries precisely. The social divisions have been very impactful in determining the
economic condition of a poor worker.
The spirit of capitalism is the main thing that can be attributed to the social divisions.
This has a huge impact on the economic conditions of the country. Through many research
studies, it has been observed that the wealth gap between the rich and poor sections of the society
is most distinctive in the capitalist countries. Some capitalist countries have also used the
religion as a mode of social distinctions.
Therefore, they would like to create the diving lines between rich people and poor people
and create the ultimate barrier based on their ethnicity and religious backgrounds. Karl Marx and
Max Weber are the two most famous people who have highlighted this view for the readers.
There was a basic difference between the two proponents on this view. Karl Marx believed that
economic condition of the individual could attribute to the cultural or religious choice of the
person (Attanasi and Yong 2012). He believed that the reverse was not possible.
On the contrary, max Weber propagated the fact that the connection between the
economy and religion could be carried through both the ways. This means both religion and
economy could create the impacts on one another (Nelson 2014). Weber believed in the

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Reformed Protestantism. According to this belief, if a person preferred the hard work and have
full faith on his God, he will surely develop the economic prosperity in his life. Weber also
added the fact this kind of belief and value could definitely lead him to be more self-reliant.
These are some ways how the religious positions could influence the economic prosperity of the
human beings (Attanasi and Yong 2012).
In this case, lesser amount of interference from the government would surely stabilize the
economy indeed. The hypothesis of Weber named ‘protestant work ethic’ can be discussed in
this context (Bowler 2015). Some critics have made more research by surveying ardent believers
of faith and found there is very little or no influence of the Protestantism in the economic
prosperity of the people. One of the critics used his survey data from the workers of Germany
and he concluded that Weber’s hypothesis was true to some extent indeed (Attanasi and Yong
2012). On the other hand, some critics have found the positive influence of the Protestantism on
the economic progress of the workers. This means there is a mixed reaction on this view since
the beliefs of the people and their interpretation of the situation could lead to such outcomes
(Jamin 2018).
Both the Reformed and Lutheran Protestantism can be held as the measure sticks through
which the impact of religious beliefs could be felt on the economic conditions of the people
(Creaven 2014). Karl Marx on the other hand, has followed the path of determinism where he
discussed about capitalism and its impacts on the social class through the advent of religious
beliefs. The American Protestant work ethic is also one of those examples through which
capitalism and social class can be understood (Bowler 2015).

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Marx has not made his research based on the historical context on capitalism led to the
social divisions and used religion as the weapon for the social distinctions (Bates, Mackenzie and
Sayers 2015). It can also be seen that some of the descriptions and analyses of Marx is historical
in nature also. Therefore, it must be kept in mind that the mode of production in the material
means will determine the social, political, intellectual and cultural conditions of the human
beings. Therefore, it is quite true that the cultural aspects play a big role in the understanding of
the different factors. The distinctions between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie could also be
noted under the distinctions of majority and minority of the religion (Bowler 2015).
Logically, all the human individuals are the same but the distinctions are created by the
human beings to support their purpose and make sure they can carry on with their capitalist
system by keeping themselves on the better side (Lofton 2012). It is quite notable that the
distinctions between Marx and Weber are very clear in terms of their positions on religion and
economic status in the society. It is, therefore very crucial that both the authors must have used
the concept of the human emotions when doing their analysis thoroughly (Boer 2014).
However, in the modern times, it is clear that social class and religion play a major role in
determining the economic status of the concerned individuals. There are few countries where
thee people of the religious majority sections are given the ultimate priority in all kinds of social
facilities. They are also capable with landing with jobs in the public sector by showing their
religious identity. Apparently, this is completely distinction on the social parameters but this has
become the ultimate practice in the recent times (Lofton 2012). The relevance of the social
distinctions is felt as Marx had highlighted regarding the distinctions between classes.

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In the concluding section of the paper, it must be put through that many arguments have
taken place in terms of the importance of religious activities and how it helps to be placed in a
better position in the society. The situation is quite complicated in the recent times. The
economic progress and prosperity of the common people might be aggravated due to their social
and political identities. These are the ways through which people will get social advantages as
Karl Marx previously described as the conflict between different social classes for attaining the
majority.

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References
Attanasi, K. and Yong, A. eds., 2012. Pentecostalism and prosperity: the socio-economics of the
global charismatic movement. Springer.
Bates, D., Mackenzie, I. and Sayers, S. eds., 2015. Marxism, religion and ideology: themes from
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Boer, R., 2014. Religion and Socialism: AV Lunacharsky and the God-Builders. political
theology, 15(2), pp.188-209.
Bowler, K., 2015. Daily Grind: The Spiritual Workday of the American Prosperity
Gospel. Journal of Cultural Economy, 8(5), pp.630-636.
Creaven, S., 2014. Against the spiritual turn: Marxism, realism, and critical theory. Routledge.
Jamin, J., 2018. Cultural Marxism: A Survey. Religion Compass, 12(1-2), p.e12258.
Lofton, K., 2012, October. The Sigh of the Oppressed? Marxism and Religion in America
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Nelson, R.H., 2014. Economics as religion: From Samuelson to Chicago and beyond. Penn State
Press.