Last Updated on November 12, 2025 by Karl Thompson

Religion and social change is a long-standing debate in sociology. Some theorists argue that religion acts as a conservative force, maintaining the status quo and preventing social transformation. Others suggest that religion can inspire social protest, transform values, and even drive large-scale social movements.

Functionalists and traditional Marxists generally see religion as a stabilising force. In contrast, Max Weber, Neo-Marxists, and many contemporary sociologists recognise significant historical examples where religion has inspired dramatic social change—from the rise of capitalism to the Civil Rights Movement.

Summary: Religion and Social Change
Religion can act as both a conservative force and a driver of social transformation. Functionalism and traditional Marxism emphasise stability, while Weber and Neo-Marxists highlight examples where religion has inspired significant social change. Real-world cases include the Protestant Ethic, Liberation Theology, the Civil Rights Movement and the Arab Spring.

Religion prevents social change

Arguments and evidence for the view that religion prevents social change

Functionalist views: religion as social stability

Functionalist thinkers Malinowski and Parsons both argued that religion prevents social change by helping individuals and society cope with disruptive events that might threaten the existing social order. Most obviously, religion provides a series of ceremonies which help individuals and societies cope with the death of individual members.

Marxism: religion as ideological control

Marx believed that religion helped to preserve the existing class structure. According to Marx religious beliefs serve to justify the existing, unequal social order and prevent social change by making a virtue out of poverty and suffering. Religion also teaches people that it is pointless striving for a revolution to bring about social change in this life. Rather, it is better to focus on ‘being a good Christian’ (for example) and then you will receive your just rewards in heaven.

Neo-Marxism: conservative tendencies of institutional religion

Neo-Marxist Otto Maduro argued that historically the Catholic Church in Latin America tended to prevent social change. It did so by supporting existing economic and political elites, thus justifying the unequal social order. However, he also recongised that religion had the potential to be a force for social change (see below)

Religion causes social change

Arguments and evidence for the view that religion causes social change:

Max Weber: The Protestant Ethic and the rise of capitalism

Max Weber’s ‘Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism‘ is one of the best loved accounts of how religion can bring about social change. Weber pointed out that Capitalism developed first in England and Holland, taking off in the early 17th century (early 1600s). Just previous to Capitalism taking off, Protestantism was the main religion in these two countries. This was unlike most other countries in Europe at that time which were Catholic. To cut a very long winded theory short, Max Weber argued that the social norms instilled by Protestantism laid the foundations for modern capitalism.

Liberation Theology and resistance in Latin America

Neo-Marxist Otto Maduro pointed to the example of Liberation Theology in Latin America to demonstrate that religion can act as a force for social change. He further suggested that this is especially the case where the marginalized have no other outlet for their grievances than religious institutions.

Religion and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement

Reverend Martin Luther King and the broader Baptist Church in the Southern United States played a major role in the Civil Rights movement in 1960s America. This movement effectively helped to end racial segregation in America and secure more equal political rights for non-whites.

Martin Luther King was very much inspired by Gandhi’s religiously inspired practice of Non Violent Direct Action. This involved the use of peaceful protest and resisting of violence in order to bring about social change.

Religion, protest, and political transformation in the Arab Spring

The Arab Spring which swept across the Middle East and North Africa between 2010-2014 offers a more contemporary example of the role of religion in social change. Islamic groups were very active in using social media to highlight the political injustices in countries such as Tunisia and Egypt.

Some forms of religious fundamentalism have led to significant social changes. For example the attacks on the Twin Towers in September 2001 prompted the USA to initiate war with Afghanistan and then Iraq. This also resulted in a shift towards more surveillance in western societies and more of a culture of fear.

Fundamentalism, conflict, and global social change

Samuel Huntingdon would argue that globalisation has made religion a more important source of identity in recent years. He believes there is a clash between fundamentalism and western civilisation. Hence globalisation and religion together are drivers of negative social change.

Has Secularisation Reduced Religion’s Influence?

Secularisation may well mean that religion has lost its power to either prevent or cause social change. Especially with disengagement, religion has less influence over political and social processes.

Conclusion: Religion and Social Change

The relationship between religion and social change is complex and cannot be reduced to a simple “yes” or “no”. Traditional sociological perspectives such as Functionalism and Marxism tend to view religion as a conservative force, one that reinforces existing social structures and helps maintain social stability. However, other theorists—including Weber and various Neo-Marxists—highlight compelling historical examples where religion has acted as a powerful catalyst for social transformation.

Evidence such as the rise of capitalism, Liberation Theology, the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, and the Arab Spring all show that religion can inspire protest, challenge injustice, and shape large-scale political change. Yet, in an era of increasing secularisation, religion may no longer have the same social influence it once held. Ultimately, whether religion prevents or promotes social change depends on the social context, the type of religious belief involved, and the extent to which religious organisations align themselves with dominant or marginalised social groups.

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Summary Table: Religion as a Conservative Force vs a Force for Social Change

Perspective / Theme	Religion Prevents Social Change (Conservative Force)	Religion Causes Social Change (Force for Change)
Functionalism	Religion maintains social order by providing stability, shared values, and rituals that reduce disruption (Parsons, Malinowski).	Not applicable – functionalists generally see religion as stabilising rather than transformative.
Traditional Marxism	Religion legitimises inequality, prevents revolution, and encourages acceptance of exploitation (“opium of the people”).	Not applicable – religion is viewed as a tool of ruling-class control.
Neo-Marxism	Historically, institutional churches often supported elites and upheld oppressive social structures (Maduro).	Religion can become a tool of resistance for oppressed groups (e.g. Liberation Theology in Latin America).
Weberian Sociology	Religion does not inherently prevent change, but it can reinforce certain traditional values.	Protestant beliefs helped create an ethos that stimulated the rise of capitalism (The Protestant Ethic).
Feminism	Some feminists argue religion reinforces patriarchy and maintains gender inequality.	Other feminists highlight religious reform movements and women using religion to challenge oppression.
Social Movements	Conservative religious groups often resist progressive social changes (e.g. some fundamentalists).	Religious organisations have led key social movements (Civil Rights Movement; Gandhi’s non-violence).
Globalisation & Fundamentalism	Huntington argues religion reinforces identity boundaries and can cause resistance to Westernisation.	Religious conflicts and global fundamentalism can reshape political structures and international relations.
Contemporary Secularisation	Secularisation may diminish religion’s ability to shape society.	Where religion remains strong, it can still influence political change (e.g. parts of the Middle East).

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References

Weber, M. (1905). The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.
Maduro, O. (1982). Religion and Social Conflicts. Orbis Books.
Huntington, S. (1996). The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order. Simon & Schuster.
Bruce, S. (2011). Secularization: In Defence of an Unfashionable Theory. Oxford University Press.

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