This succinct, comprehensive article outlines the Catholic roots of liberation theology within Latin America, explaining the socio-political legacy of colonialism in having put many people in impoverished situations. It then addresses some of the main controversies and challenges posed to liberation theology from those in power, as well as those with concerns over the Marxist influences. The author concludes with references to how liberation theology can serve as an inspiration to other faith groups and settings in the world today. This article offers the opportunity to discuss with students the structures and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, and to extend discussions around an anti-racist religious education that seeks to decolonise the subject. 

These essays explore the idea of liberation theology within the Catholic setting from where it began, and within a wide variety of religious and non-religious worldviews. The aim of this book is not to essentialize all religions into a common aim, however, and the editor stresses throughout that the truth claims of each religion are not up for debate, rather that liberation theology can show that the ‘Powerless and disenfranchised of the world can look to their belief systems to articulate a liberationist perspective of hope’. The essays on main world religions (for example Zen Buddhism and Hinduism) and liberation theology will be a fascinating reading to accompany the study of those religions in the classroom, while the discussion of Confucianism, Minjung theology and Orisha traditions give an opportunity for students to explore less studied worldviews. 

With a focus on the principle within liberation theology for concern for and preferential treatment for the poor, the author outlines in this article some of the issues in organised religions with accepting liberation theologies. She discusses in depth the approach to wealth and the poor within key Sikhi scriptures and examples from the Gurus to show that liberation theology can be part of the Sikhi path, in addition to the Catholic faith in which the author was raised. Students may be aware of the central theme of equality shown through the Sikhi path with Guru Nanak, the founder, abolishing the Caste System within the faith and installing the Langar Kitchen and meal as part of the practices. Teachers could use this article in the classroom to explore further the notion of equality within Sikhism, and the interaction between religion and society more generally. 

The central teaching of Tawhid within Islam instructs Muslims to worship none but Allah. This is essential to Shariati’s critique of societies that worship wealth and status, which leads to systematic oppression of the poor. Rather than dismissing the religion of his countrymen as a barrier to their liberation (as Marxist theory would hold), Shariati argued that religion was central to the success of the revolution for his people against the corrupt Shah who terrorised them. Through the symbolism of the Martyrdom of Imam Hussein, long believed to have been killed for standing against a corrupt Caliph, and the prophetic tradition of Musa and Isa who spoke on behalf of the poor and enslaved, Shariati put forward many of the principles of liberation theology. His case-study illustrates how much of Muslim teachings address inequality and social justice. The book will help students explore current events surrounding the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the importance of Imam Hussein within Shia Islam. 

An insight into how individuals can use their religion as a catalyst for social and political change, with Christian photographer, Marksteen Adamson, talking about his work, with a focus on the refugee experience.

Further materials