How did religion affect who was in the upper class?

Religion historically played a significant role in determining social hierarchy, often intertwining with political power. In many societies, religious leaders or those closely aligned with religious institutions held considerable influence and wealth, thereby securing their positions in the upper class. Additionally, religious beliefs often justified the social order, with divine right or blessings perceived as legitimizing the elite's status. This intertwining of religion and social class reinforced the notion that higher status was divinely sanctioned, sustaining the upper class's dominance.