Karen thinks that religion is used by powerful people and institutions to control the public. What perspective best describes karen's views?

Answer: Conflict theory.

Conflict theory argues that religion has been used to maintain institutionalized inequality between groups and as a method of social control.

Taking the example of Christianity, this religion promises rewards after death, which means people are less likely to be unhappy about not having wealth in this life, or to try to find ways in which to change the social structure. Also, the structure of the Church (and in some cases, of the state) is said to be a divine mandate, so that it cannot be questioned by humans. This would most likely make humans submissive and obedient, which incidentally are qualities that the Church highly values. All of these are ways in which religion could be used to control the masses, according to conflict theory.