Religion as a Conservative Force

Marxists criticize Durkheim's theory and state that religion doesn't always act as a conservative force and use Liberation Theology as evidence. Catholic priests broke away from the Catholic Church claiming that it was their God given duty to liberate those that had been oppressed, this went against the status quo and led to a revolution. .
             Liberation theology led to some neo-Marxists to question the tradition Marxist views such as that religion is a conservative force. For example Maduro believes that religion can be a revolutionary force as in the case in Latin America social change came about by inspiration from the Catholic priests. Conversely there is evidence showing that religion doesn't always act as a force for social change as Iran in the 1970's reacted against westernizing influences that had been developing and re-established a strict Islam regime. .
             Marxists, however, do not think that religion is a force for change. They argue that religion is the "opium of the people ". It is an illusion that reduces the pain and suffering for the working class and is a means for the bourgeoisie to exploit them by the belief that it has been ordained by God. Religion serves as a conservative force to preserve the capitalist system in their opinion. It stops them from uniting and overthrowing the ruling class by placing them in a state of false consciousness. This all prevents revolution and the rich stay rich whilst the poor stay poor. For example the Hindu caste system is a form of hierarchy. The class that you are born into is one that stays with you throughout your life, very similar to the Marxist view. They follow this caste system with the belief that if they are in a low class in this life then they will be rewarded in their next life. This idea prevents them from revolting. The idea that religion prevents the working class from revolting is only true under the assumption that they are all religious but this is not the case so it may be another factor that is preventing the working class from rebelling, not religion.