neo-marxists

• role of religion in bringing about radical social change
• Otto Maduro
• religious institutions have a degree of freedom from the economic base, they do not always work for the benefit of powerful elites and can act independently
• in some societies religion is the only institution in which people can organise social change
• oppressed and impoverished populations have no other outlet for their grievances other than the church so clergy are forced to represent them
• Oscar Romero: Archbishop in El Salvador

  spoke up for people living in poverty despite the danger it put him in, fought for human rights and made radio broadcasts to get his message across
• Martin Luther King: leader of the civil rights movement

  organised bus boycotts and peaceful protests, worked with activists and went to prison for his beliefs
• in societies where protests are against the law the church is a safe outlet for the proletariat and religious leaders can inspire their congregation to seek change. Religious leaders are basically untouchable because these leaders are seen as sacred if they came to any harm this would catalyst for a revolution