Conflict theorists view religion as an institution that helps maintain patterns of social inequality
According to this
perspective, religion has been used to support the "divine right" of oppressive monarchs and to justify unequal social
structures, like India's caste system.
gender inequality
Conflict theorists are critical of the way many religions promote the idea that believers should be satisfied with existing
circumstances because they are divinely ordained.
Conflict theorists also point out that those in power in a
religion are often able to dictate practices, rituals, and beliefs through their interpretation of religious texts or via
proclaimed direct communication from the divine.
