Religion as a force for social change - Contemporary Examples

Otto Maduro

• Liberation theology encouraged people to actively change society in Central America 
• It states that the poor should organise and overthrow the regimes that exploit them 

This is an example of counter-hegemony (Gramsci) as it shows that the ruling class can be challenged by presenting the oppressed with a vision of an alternative. 

Religion can also influence backwards looking social change..

The Taliban set up a regime during the 1990's based on a harsh interpretation of the Koran. e.g.

• Women had to dress head to foot to hide identity
• Men forced to grow beards
• Children not allowed to fly kites
• Music banned
• Harsh punishment (amputation, beating, execution) 
• Girls not allowed education over the age of 8
• Women not allowed employment (even widows)