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Ever wondered why Karl Marx thought religion was like Opium - or whether religion is possible without a god? Voiced by David Mitchell, this series of four 60 second animations examines different ways that religion has been viewed by non-religious thinkers. As well as Marx and Dawkins, religion is put under the microscope by thinkers Auguste Comte and JJ Bachoffen.
Track 1: Religion as social control
Had Marx got his way, society would be so happy being revolutionaries, there’d be no need for religion. He’d obviously never been to a Gulag.
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Tracks in this podcast:
| Track | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Religion as social control | Had Marx got his way, society would be so happy being revolutionaries, there’d be no need for religion. He’d obviously never been to a Gulag. Play now Religion as social control |
| 2 | Religion as ritual | Explore how ancient beliefs developed from “Eggism” into modern day religion. French philosopher, Comte explains how. Play now Religion as ritual |
| 3 | Religion as a mother | Why do so many people picture God as a man? JJ Bachofen suggested there was once a time when it was the Goddess, not God that people turned to for religious guidance. Play now Religion as a mother |
| 4 | Religion as a virus | Can science and religion ever sit side by side? Not according to Richard Dawkins. And he has rock-star mice to prove it. Play now Religion as a virus |
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