The African indigenous churches' spiritual resources for democracy and social cohesion

Masondo, Sibusiso

doi:10.4102/ve.v35i3.1341

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…It increases believers' resilience against adverse circumstances and external shocks, such as the death of a family member, natural catastrophes, criminal acts and poverty (cf. Masondo, 2014). This is highly relevant in contexts of high adversity, such as the poverty-stricken rural areas of South Africa.…”

Section: Insights On Religion and Economic Success From Theology And mentioning

confidence: 99%

Religiosity and household income in Sekhukhune

Öhlmann

Hüttel

2018

Development Southern Africa

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Literature analysing the interrelation of religion and economic performance suggests religion to explain differences in household income. Religious communities foster economically conducive attitudes and are important sources of social capital, particularly under weak economic structures. This paper targets at investigating effects of religiosity on rural household income using survey data from Greater Sekhukhune in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Using insights from religious studies within a conceptual framework of rural household decision-making, the authors estimate an income equation that includes measures for religious affiliation. While church membership per se does not reveal a significant effect on household income, the results show a positive and robust relationship for membership in the Zion Christian Church and the practice of African traditional religion.

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Section: Insights On Religion and Economic Success From Theology And mentioning

confidence: 99%

Religiosity and household income in Sekhukhune

Öhlmann

Hüttel

2018

Development Southern Africa

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“…The literature provides many examples of transformation of lives through church membership (cf. Barnard, Nell & Mbaya 2014;Mafuta 2010;Masondo 2014;Meyer 2004;Schlemmer 2008). Notions of salvation are related to people's present lives.…”

Section: Mediators Of Transformation Transformation Of Members' Livesmentioning

confidence: 99%

African Initiated Churches’ potential as development actors

Öhlmann¹,

Frost²,

Gräb³

2016

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies

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African Initiated Churches (AICs) are not yet recognised as relevant actors of community development interventions. While it has been acknowledged that many of them provide coping mechanisms in adverse environments, support in social transformation and social capital, little information is available on their role as development actors. In this article, we evaluate the potential of AICs as partners of international development agencies for community development. We draw on interviews and focus group discussions with leaders of various AICs conducted in South Africa in February and March 2016. In particular, we examine the churches’ understanding of development, their view on the separation of spiritual and development activities and their priorities. Moreover, we outline the development activities which they are currently engaged in and analyse the structures they have in place to do so. Our findings indicate that AICs are increasingly active in community development and offer various entry points for possible cooperation.

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“…The quest for religious freedom in South Africa is illustrated in the origins of the AIC. Masondo (2014:2) says, 'The African indigenous churches exemplify the African struggle for self-identification and self-realisation'. In colonial times this quest for self-identification and self-realisation included freedom from white control, freedom from white missionary paternalism and the quest to worship God in accordance to one's perceived encounter with God.…”

Section: Inattentiveness To the Quest For Religious Freedom By Christians In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Redefining religion? A critical Christian reflection on CRL Rights Commission’s proposal to regulate religion in South Africa

Banda

2019

Verbum et Ecclesia

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Background and introductionThe 2017 report of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) on the state of religion in South Africa has created palpable consternation within the Christian community. The commission's findings and recommendations are contained in its Report of the Hearings on the Commercialisation of Religion and Abuse of People's Belief Systems (2017). The commission recommended the regulation of religious communities in South Africa to curb 'the commercialisation of religion and the abuse of people's belief systems' after carrying out its 'extensive investigation' or 'investigative study' (CRL Rights Commission 2017:4, 6). The investigation was conducted in response to media reports of controversial activities in some Charismatic and Pentecostal churches in South Africa (CRL Rights Commission 2017:6).The CRL Rights Commission is one of the six Chapter 9 institutions, designated as 'state institutions supporting constitutional democracy' (SA Constitution 1996:92). 1 The commission is a constitutional arm of the state, operates outside government and partisan politics, and is free from interference from other state organs (CRL Rights Commission 2017:7). The Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities Act no. 19 of 2002 (CRL Act) states that the commissioners are appointed by the president of South Africa through a public nomination process administered by the Department of Traditional Affairs. The mandate of the commission is supporting constitutional democracy by promoting and protecting the cultural, religious and linguistic rights of communities. Subsection 1 of Section 185 of the constitution lists the primary objectives of the CRL Rights Commission:(a) to promote respect for the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities;(b) to promote and develop peace, friendship, humanity, tolerance and national unity among cultural, religious and linguistic communities, on the basis of equality, non-discrimination and free association; and 1.The other five institutions are the Public Protector, the South African Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Gender Equality, the Auditor-General and the Electoral Commission.What do the recommendations of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) to regulate religion in South Africa reflect about the commission's understanding of religion in the country? From a Christian theological perspective, the article critically engages the understanding of religion that emerges from the findings and recommendations of the CRL Rights Commission on the state of religion in South Africa as contained in its 2017 report. The article first examines the different responses to the CRL Rights Commission's recommendations by writers concerned with freedom of religion and human rights in South Africa. Further, the commission's investigation...

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The African indigenous churches' spiritual resources for democracy and social cohesion

Cited by 9 publications

References 14 publications

Religiosity and household income in Sekhukhune

Religiosity and household income in Sekhukhune

African Initiated Churches’ potential as development actors

Redefining religion? A critical Christian reflection on CRL Rights Commission’s proposal to regulate religion in South Africa

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