Religion is the sign of the oppressed creature, the sentiment of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.

Summary

This quote by Karl Marx denotes his perspective on religion. He argues that religion serves as a coping mechanism for the oppressed in a harsh and unfair world. Marx highlights that religion is a creation of human sentiment, arising from a society lacking compassion and empathy. He metaphorically refers to religion as "the opium of the people" to imply that it acts as a sort of tranquilizer, pacifying individuals rather than provoking revolutionary action against oppressive conditions. Thus, Marx asserts that religion is a reflection of the soulless and heartless nature of the existing societal structure.