Is a "Marxist way of thinking" a negative thing?

[MusicIsLife]

in class my teacher told me that I had a Marxist way of looking at things after I asked the following: "Wasn't Religion originally used to control groups of people/nations?"

I'm not sure how to take that. Should I be insulted?

[Just Adam]

you prob should as im sure it was meant as an insult...

i believe teh same though and it is true religion was used by many rulers as control, kings used to make that they were like gods best mate and do as i say or he shall set fire to your ass.

[Mirko]

Originally Posted by MusicIsLife

in class my teacher told me that I had a Marxist way of looking at things after I asked the following: "Wasn't Religion originally used to control groups of people/nations?"

I'm not sure how to take that. Should I be insulted?

Not necessarily. Depending on the context of the class discussion or topic that the teacher was covering, it could be that he or she was thinking in theoretical terms and just pointing out that the way you have phrased the question, is reflective of those who adhere to Marxian perspectives.

[MusicIsLife]

Originally Posted by Mirko

Not necessarily. Depending on the context of the class discussion or topic that the teacher was covering, it could be that he or she was thinking in theoretical terms and just pointing out that the way you have phrased the question, is reflective of those who adhere to Marxian perspectives.

we were discussing the origins of "the world' and it moved to religion and she was saying how it gave people hope and faith brought people together and so on and so fourth. I posed that question, and thats when she said I had a Marxist way of looking at things.

[Eleanor Rigby]

It probably depend on each class it was said.
From a purely philosophical point of view (without any judgement about the value of your statement) it is a Marxist way of thinking. Or at least it is one of the argument he used to criticize Hegel's philosophy.

Religious distress is at the same time the expression of real distress and the protest against real distress. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness. The demand to give up the illusion about its condition is the demand to give up a condition which needs illusions.
Karl Marx, Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right

[Mirko]

What kind of a class is it? Has the teacher/prof covered different theories or theoretical perspectives in the class?

[MusicIsLife]

Yeah. We've covered like, problems in impoverished nations like maternal mortality, human trafficking, as well as racism, sexism, homophobia, the enviromental crisis and so on.

Additionally we've covered the human condition according to Aristotle, Kant, Hobbes, and Adam Smith, and Karl Marx briefly.

I dont think she meant it as an insult, I'm one of the best students in her class, so i dont think she'd intentionally try to insult me, I just wasnt sure how to take the comment.

[Mirko]

I doubt it too that was meant as an insult. In all likelihood the teacher/prof made a reference to the earlier material covered. Often times, teachers/profs will try to get students thinking about the connections between class discussions and philosophical/theoretical discussions that preceded it. By mentioning that you have a 'Marxist way of thinking' it was probably her way to give you a hint on the connection between the ideas covered in your question and Karl Marx's ideas.

[Ben]

I tend to take a Marxist approach to my essays too, and my teacher has commented on it. It's not a bad thing at all. =)

i dont even know what marxist means. it looks like a made up word to me.

[Martin]

^ It's a political/economic philosophy developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (communist manifesto anybody?). It's commonly used in Philosophy, History and Sociology.

Anyways, I wouldn't necessarily be offended by it. Marxism is a very complex perspective to understand, and i think your teacher is generalising a bit when she says that marxists believe that everything is controlling. Sure, it's a big part of their movement but to look at it that simplistically is a tad insane (or maybe it's just because I'm a sociology major? ). I certainly understand what she means as I have done it before, such as calling Functionalists the 'happy-go-lucky' crew.

Overall, I wouldn't be too offended. You should be happy you can look at things from a perspective and focus on its positives and negatives. Thinking like a Marxist is extremely useful when it comes to discussions and it allows you think outside the box rather than accept everything you are told or given. Whether or not she meant it as an insult, you shouldn't take it as one.

[Just Adam]

Originally Posted by MusicIsLife

Yeah. We've covered like, problems in impoverished nations like maternal mortality, human trafficking, as well as racism, sexism, homophobia, the enviromental crisis and so on.

Additionally we've covered the human condition according to Aristotle, Kant, Hobbes, and Adam Smith, and Karl Marx briefly.

I dont think she meant it as an insult, I'm one of the best students in her class, so i dont think she'd intentionally try to insult me, I just wasnt sure how to take the comment.

well that teh case then... im sure it was jsut an off hand explination refference/ comment on your view...

[Pseudojim]

To karl marx and friedrich engels, religion was the "opiate of the masses". She's either innocently referring to the fact that what you're saying agrees with marx and engels, or attempting to apply a label on you...

To me, what he/she said is fairly silly. She indirectly implies that you think just like a marxist. But just because you agree with one tiny facet of what karl marx stood for doesn't mean you're "on his wagon"... Maybe she's been watching too much glenn beck (vomit) or bill o'reilly (double vomit).

[iwanttobelieve]

well I don't think your teacher meant it as an insult. Though if someone called me a Marxist I would be insulted (I have a bias, I hate communism/Marx). Many other Philosophers believed that religion was not a great thing. (Marx the evil Bastard he was, was the most famous for this position).

[Meropspusillus]

Originally Posted by iwanttobelieve

well I don't think your teacher meant it as an insult. Though if someone called me a Marxist I would be insulted (I have a bias, I hate communism/Marx). Many other Philosophers believed that religion was not a great thing. (Marx the evil Bastard he was, was the most famous for this position).

I don't really know about Marx, but I feel calling him evil is a bit extreme. I mean, he was just a philosopher.

Also, what everyone else said, it's no insult.

[Astaroth]

I would have taken it as a compliment, lol. She basically said that you're a free-thinker. Oh darn, you have thoughts of your own!