On Formation, Development And Contemporary Significance Of Engel's Scientific Views Of Religion

The religious thought of Engel抯 is an important part in the system of Marxism. Yet, we have not paid enough attention to it for a long time. Under the background of penetrating religious problems, it is very useful to grasp the gist of the religious thought of Engel抯, which is why the author chooses this topic. This dissertation, abided by the basic principles of historic materialism, uses all kinds of methods e.g. induction an deduction, analysis and synthesis, and scientific demonstration etc. to analyze the whole process of Engel抯 scientific views of religion and makes efforts to innovate with new ideas. The author tries to divide the history of the religious thought of Engel抯 into 3 parts, and dwell on the development and evolution of these historic phases individually. Thus, the main idea of Engel抯 views of religion is summarized: Religion is the illusory and disordered reflection of natural and social power which governs people on people抯 brains. It is also a conscious state which uses peoples beliefs and adoration in supernatural subject to govern man抯 fate. Religion includes some beliefs and some special religious ceremonies and rules of lives, such as, chanting praying, purifying by fasting and adoring images, combined with religious organizations, facilities and specialists, they form a strong spiritual power and social influence. In class society, the origin of the existence and development of religion is class exploitation and oppression. Religion can blunt people, so the governing class always uses religion as a weapon of strengthen its control. Under certain history situation, religion can also have active effects. Yet religion changes with the variation of social system and will disappear accordingly, the party of the labor class must deal with it properly. Based on the objective and equitable evaluation of Engel抯 views of religion, the author indicates its profound historic and realistic meanings. This dissertation can be divided into 5 parts. The introductory tells us about the theoretical status of his views of religion and the necessity of researching on it. The first part introduces the early development of Engel抯 thought from piety to atheism (1820-1841). The second part analyzes the process of formation, extension and confirmation of his scientific views of religion (1842-1873). The third part expounds the systematic and matured process of his scientific views of religion (1873-1895). The last part indicates the practical significance of Engel抯 scientific views of religion.