“本质脱落”与“方法回归”

“The Deviation from Essentialism” and “Returning of the Methodology”

“宗教鸦片论”是马克思主义宗教观的重要组成部分。回到这一论断提出的历史语境就会发现,其表现出的唯物史观的方法论意蕴,远超其“直接含义”或“定论性质”。其本身意义的彰显既不能简单归之于列宁对马克思主义宗教观的发挥,也不能通过西方马克思主义理论的诠释实现。而应该回归贯穿马克思主义理论始终的“从抽象到具体”、“社会定在决定全部人类社会意识”的最基本的方法论原理。这种回归一方面,便于我们从积极和消极两方面理解宗教的社会作用,另一方面,也有助于我们制定有中国特色的宗教工作方针,具有重要理论价值和现实意义。这种方法论意蕴的挖掘还远未达到20世纪末学界普遍认为的学术上的“终结”,还有很多值得研究的面向。

The theory of Religion as Opium is an important part of Marxism Religion Concept. Returning to the historical context of this theory, we can find that its methodological significance is more important than its literal meaning. The philosophical logic in this theory, including from abstract to the concrete and social being decides social ideology, not only can help us to comprehend the two faces of the social function of religion, but also can help us to establish religious policies with Chinese characteristics. In conclusion, the theory of Religion as Opium has great theoretical value and practical meanings. The exploration of this methodological implication is far from reaching the “academic end” generally considered by the academic circles at the end of the 20th century, and there are many aspects worthy of further study.