Saints in Exile: The Holiness-Pentecostal Experience in African American Religion and Culture (Religion in America)

__Saints in Exile__ studies, from an insider's perspective, the worship practices and social ethics of the African American family of Holiness, Pentecostal, and Apostolic churches known collectively as the Sanctified Church. Cheryl Sanders identifies the theme of __exile__, both as an idea and an experience, as the key to understanding the dialectical nature of African American religious and intellectual life, that W.E.B. Du Bois called "double-conscious." Sanders's __saints in exile__ are a people who see themselves as "in the world but not of it"; their marginalized status is both self-imposed and involuntary, a consequence of racism, sexism and other forms of elitism. When joined with the biblical tropes of homecoming and reconciliation, the concept of __exile__ serves as a vital vantage point from which to identify, critique, and remedy the continued alienation of blacks, women, and the poor in the United States. Sanders's interpretive approach clarifies many paradoxical features of black existence, especially the peculiar interplay of the sacred and the secular in African American song, speech, and dance. She particularly scrutinizes gospel music, a product of the Sanctified worship tradition that has had a significant influence on popular culture. __Saints in Exile__ goes further than any previous study in illuminating the African American experience; it will be welcomed by scholars and students of American religion, African American studies, and American History. Saints In Exile Studies, From An Insider's Perspective, The Worship Practices And Social Ethics Of The African American Family Of Holiness, Pentecostal, And Apostolic Churches Known Collectively As The Sanctified Church. Cheryl Sanders Identifies The Theme Of Exile, Both As An Idea And An Experience, As The Key To Understanding The Dialectical Nature Of African American Religious And Intellectual Life, That W.e.b. Du Bois Called Double-conscious. Sanders's Saints In Exile Are A People Who See Themselves As In The World But Not Of It; Their Marginalized Status Is Both Self-imposed And Involuntary, A Consequence Of Racism, Sexism And Other Forms Of Elitism. When Joined With The Biblical Tropes Of Homecoming And Reconciliation, The Concept Of Exile Serves As A Vital Vantage Point From Which To Identify, Critique, And Remedy The Continued Alienation Of Blacks, Women, And The Poor In The United States. Sanders's Interpretive Approach Clarifies Many Paradoxical Features Of Black Existence, Especially The Peculiar Inter-play Of The Sacred And The Secular In African American Song, Speech, And Dance. She Particularly Scrutinizes Gospel Music, A Product Of The Sanctified Worship Tradition That Has Had A Significant Influence On Popular Culture.--jacket. Introduction : In The World, But Not Of It -- The Sanctified Churches And Church Reform : Confronting The Barriers Of Race, Sex, And Class -- Refuge And Reconciliation In A Holiness Congregation -- In The Beauty Of Holiness : Ethics And Aesthetics In The Worship Of The Saints -- Singing The Lord's Song In A Strange Land : Gospel Music And Popular Culture In The United States -- Resistance, Rebellion, And Reform : The Collegiate Gospel Choir And The Black Clergy Caucus -- Black Intellectuals And Storefront Religion In The Age Of Black Consciousness -- The Church In Exile : Vital Signs Outside The Mainstream -- Conclusion : Exile And Homecoming. Cheryl J. Sanders. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 152-170) And Index. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 152-170) And Index. This is a study of the the worship practices and social ethics of the African-American family of Holiness, Pentecostal and Apostolic churches known collectively as the Sanctified Church. It explores several major themes in African-American religious and intellectual life.