Abstract
African evangelical/Pentecostal/charismatic (EPC) Christians-previously dismissed by scholars as apolitical-are becoming increasingly active socially and politically. This chapter presents a case study of an EPC congregation in Harare. It demonstrates how the congregation provides short-term human security by responding to the needs of the poor, while at the same time creating space where people can develop the "self-expression values" necessary for long-term human security. The case study also demonstrates that even under authoritarian states, religious actors can actively choose to balance the immediate demands of short-term human security with the sometimes competing demands of long-term human security. Policymakers can benefit from a greater understanding of how religious actors strike this balance and from a greater appreciation of the variability, flexibility, and religious resources of EPC Christians in such contexts.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Religion and Human Security: A Global Perspective |
Editors | James K. Wellman, Clark B. Lombardi |
Publisher | Oxford University Press/UNESCO |
Pages | 172-188 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780199950553, 9780199827732 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 20 Sep 2012 |
Keywords
- African christians
- Charismatic christians
- Congregation
- Evangelical christians
- Human security
- Pentecostal christians
- Religion
- Self-expression
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Arts and Humanities(all)
- Social Sciences(all)