THE INFLUENCE OF LIBERATION THEOLOGY ON CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Abstract

This paper explores the significant role of Liberation Theology in shaping civil rights movements in the Global South, particularly its influence on the political and social activism of marginalized communities. Liberation Theology, rooted in Christian teachings, advocates for social justice, the liberation of the oppressed, and a profound critique of socio-political structures that perpetuate inequality. By examining its emergence in Latin America and its subsequent adaptation in various parts of the Global South, this study traces its connections with civil rights movements, focusing on their collective struggle for racial, economic, and social justice. The paper also analyzes the theological underpinnings that motivated such movements and the ways in which religious leaders and activists used these ideas to confront political oppression.