Religion as a source of social change in the new South Africa
In the scholarship of recent decades, religion has been accorded little power as a source of social change, either 'from above' (via changes at the macro-level) or 'from below' (at the micro-level). However, as the attention of various disciplines has been drawn to developing soc...
| Published in: | Journal of religion in Africa |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Brill
2000
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| In: |
Journal of religion in Africa
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| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Africa
/ Religion
/ Social change
/ History 1944-2000
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| RelBib Classification: | AD Sociology of religion; religious policy KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history KBN Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Further subjects: | B
Church
B Africa B Religion B Christian B Religious organization B Social change |
| Parallel Edition: | Electronic
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| Summary: | In the scholarship of recent decades, religion has been accorded little power as a source of social change, either 'from above' (via changes at the macro-level) or 'from below' (at the micro-level). However, as the attention of various disciplines has been drawn to developing societies, an awareness of the potential influence of religion has grown. Based on research in a South African township, conducted after the macro-transition to democratic government, this article explores the social and economic mechanisms at work in a variety of Christian churches. It argues that their capacity to effect social change 'from below' is uneven, and that the most powerful are those which maximise four variables: indoctrination, religious experience, exclusion and socialisation. These variables are often highest in Pentecostalism, and in certain types of AIC. The differential impacts of church types on their members is then illustrated with reference to financial, social and cultural behaviour. (J Relig Afr/DÜI) |
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| ISSN: | 0022-4200 |
| Contains: | In: Journal of religion in Africa
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