"Religion is the opiate of the masses" (Karl Marx). Examine this statement and discuss in relation to the role of the Catholic Church in Angela's Ashes.

"Religion is the opiate of the masses" (Karl Marx). Examine this statement and discuss in relation to the role of the Catholic Church in Angela's Ashes. <Tab/>The McCourt's lived in an impoverished, class orientated Ireland during the great depression with a wealthy and influential Catholic Church enforcing its authority though the fear of the consequences of the afterlife if their Christian values where not upheld. "Religion is the opiate of …

…any of their teachings where disobeyed. They had no compassion for the less fortunate and like many institutions were focused on maintaining power of the people it controlled. This was exactly what Karl Marx was trying to expose in his quote "Religion is the opiate of the masses". By James Weld References Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt Religious Themes in Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes by Tony Pellum Sorce: http://members.tripod.com/~JAPrufrock/angela.html