Theodicy of disprivilege

Theodicy of Disprivilege refers to belief in the promise that salvation may be granted as a reward for earthly poverty and hardship. It may be one of many reasons that explain the large numbers of lower-income people who join religious sects  or partake in mainstream religious practice, e.g attend church, temple or mosque. 

This idea was promoted mainly by Max Weber, but is common amongst many sociologists who try to explain the growth of sect membership.

References

Category:Sociology of religion