Pentecostalism In Brazil: Emotion Of The Poor And Theological Romanticism Pentecôtisme Au Brésil. English

With its exalted emotionality, Pentecostalism is a widespread religious movement in Latin America and Africa. It is a blend of Methodism and African religious culture which arouses the passions of the poorest Brazilian masses. Pentecostal conversion is experienced as a sudden break which radically transforms the life of these sectors of the population. Pentecostalism is an Utopia of equality, love, and emotion, which is staged during the worship service. However, it is also characterized by authoritarian features. This book explores Pentecostalism and how it is slowly eroding the foundation of Western political categories. " ... Excellent contribution ... for a truly original application of social theories to some of the most disconcerting aspects of a most important phenomenon."--David Lehmann, Journal of Latin American Studies 'No one has studied this powerful sect better than Andre Corten, Professor of Political Science at the Universite du Quebec a Montreal. He defines this sect as 'an Utopia of love, equality and emotion' staged in the worship service, which nonetheless presents authoritarian features.' - Nancy Dolhem, Le Monde Diplomatique 'Andre Corten ... provides a fascinating book on Pentecostalism, with an exploration of theological questions, necessary for a more encompassing perspective on a religious phenomenon of such proportions.' - Waldo Cesar, Jornal do Brasil 'This book contributes the perspective of a Political Scientist to the discussion on Brazilian Pentecostalism. Andre Corten carries out his work without prejudices, and joins other authors in pointing out and demonstrating the possible avenues reserved for Pentecostalism - a social group with greater penetration among the 'poor' - in its potential participation in Brazilian democracy.' - Alexandre Brasil Fonseca, Religiao e Sociedade 'Andre Corten's interesting book ... analyzes the phenomenon of Pentecostalism as a 'theological Romanticism', that is as a religious movement founded on emotion ... The author clearly shows the effective operation of Pentecostalism as a staging of the emotions of simple people. He does not conceal the authoritarian, intolerant (notably towards Afro-Brazilian Religions) and populist character of the movement, its despotism of custom, and the 'marketing of faith' methods used by its leaders ... ' - Michael Low, Archives de Sciences Sociales des religions Front Matter....Pages i-xix Participation and the Poor: Liberation Theology....Pages 1-24 Emotion and the Poor: Pentecostalism (I)....Pages 25-44 Emotion and the Poor: Pentecostalism (II)....Pages 45-67 The Left and the ‘Passion of the Base’....Pages 68-82 Praise: an Original Utterance....Pages 83-100 Piety and Prosperity....Pages 101-125 The Sect: the Anti-Politics of the Poor....Pages 126-145 Conclusion....Pages 146-156 Back Matter....Pages 157-206