"Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people"

Karl Marx's quote is a commentary on the function of religion in society. He suggests that faith is a coping mechanism for those who are oppressed and living in a heartless world. Faith supplies a sense of convenience and hope to those who are having a hard time, and it can be viewed as a type of escapism from the extreme truths of life. Marx likewise suggests that religious beliefs resembles an opium, in that it numbs individuals to the suffering and injustice around them. He thinks that religion can be utilized to manage individuals and keep them from challenging the status quo. Eventually, Marx thinks that faith can be a powerful tool for those in power to preserve control over the masses.