Showing papers in "Social Compass in 1992"
253 citations
51 citations
26 citations
15 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a socio-historical approach to emphasize the degree of difference and dissociation between the new religious movements, so-called Protestants and the historical Latin-American Protestantism.
Abstract: The study of the religious phenomenon assimilated to the generic concept of “protestantism” has turned out to be a fruitful field of research for sociologists, anthropologists and historians these last twenty-five years. Nevertheless, reductive comprehension of such a complex social and religious phenomenon, related to the differentiation and atomization of a religious field wider than mere “Protestantism” still predominates. In order to emphasize the degree of difference and dissociation between the new religious movements, so-called Protestants and the historical Latin-American Protestantism, the author develops a socio-historical approach. When the Protestant societies of the late 19th century emerged from the political culture of radical liberalism typical of those schools of thought favouring an anti-corporatist and democratic modernity, the present-day Protestant religious movement, particularly the Pentecostals, evolved from a religious and political culture typical of folk catholocism, syncretic a...
12 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider four issues concerning the application to the religious field of concepts and theories taken from economics: 1) Does this approach seek to describe the religious, or does it offer new insights following on from the application of new concepts?
Abstract: This paper considers four issues concerning the application to the religious field of concepts and theories taken from economics. (1) Does this approach seek to describe the religious, or does it offer new insights following on from the application of new concepts? (2) Does the appeal to rational choice theory, which is favoured in this approach, neglect the fact that the material and the imaginary are inextricably interwined? (3) Does not the appeal to rational choice overlook the impact on the religious of a social structure which is in the process of transformation? (4) Should the appeal to economy not take into account the transition of an economy that was centred on work into an economy dominated by hedonism?
12 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyse the affective behaviour of a particular kind of symbolic capital which fulfils functions of social legitimation and compensation, which is called residually "irrational".
Abstract: In drawing on the concepts of economics, no doubt Pierre Bourdieu has gone furthest by conceptualizing society as a system of maximization for different types of capital. He treats religion as a particular kind of symbolic capital which fulfils functions of social legitimation and compensation. With some exceptions, the sociology of religion has scarcely been influenced by utilitarianism or rational action theory. If rationalization has played an excessive role in the explanation of secularization to the detriment of hedonization, that is due more to the influence of Weber. Considering that religions are orientated towards ultimate goals, we analyse them as specific systems of maximization (applied to a case study) and aim to sociologize the affective behaviour which is the kernel of what is called residually “irrational”.
9 citations
TL;DR: This paper presented a systematic overview of the history of the different "secularization theories" from Auguste Comte to the modern view, which emerged in the 1960s and 1970s.
Abstract: This paper presents a systematic overview of the history of the different “secularization theories”, from Auguste Comte to the modern view, which emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. The complex series ...
8 citations
8 citations
TL;DR: Pentecostalism is currently the largest growing non-Catholic religious minority in Mexico today as discussed by the authors, and some of the factors which permit this growth can be found in two areas of Mexico: the Indian villages of the Sierra Norte de Puebla and the urban settlements of migrants in Iztapalapa.
Abstract: Pentecostalism is currently the largest growing non-Catholic religious minority in Mexico today. In order to discover some of the factors which permit this growth, this article compares the development of Pentecostalism in urban and rural areas of Mexico. Most of our information derives from two areas where the author has carried out research. These are the Indian villages of the Sierra Norte de Puebla and the urban settlements of migrants in Iztapalapa, located in Mexico City. Among the cultural elements which are compared in this article are social stratification and economic behaviour, kinship ties and family organization, political activity, ritual and ideology. The relationship between religious conversion and urban-rural migration is considered an important field for future studies.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyse the situation des femmes dans le christianisme au cours de la periode coloniale: l'exaltation de Marie (la femme du ciel), the soumission des femme dans l'Eglise and dans la societe (les femmes sur la terre) and leur repression par l'Inquisition (Les femmes de l'Enfer).
Abstract: L'A. analyse dans cet article la situation des femmes dans le christianisme au cours de la periode coloniale: l'exaltation de Marie (la femme du ciel), la soumission des femmes dans l'Eglise et dans la societe (les femmes sur la terre) et leur repression par l'Inquisition (les femmes de l'Enfer). Il etudie ensuite le role des femmes dans la remise en question du christianisme de cette epoque coloniale, qui rejette l'image imperiale du ciel, denonce les faiblesses de l'Eglise hierarchique ou missionnaire et donne une nouvelle interpretation de Marie, festive, populaire et cosmique, faisant d'elle l'ideal de la femme subversive
TL;DR: The strategie du Vatican dans la region a trouve sa legitimite dans the lutte contre le danger marxiste, le pire ennemi de l'identite ecclesiale.
Abstract: La crise sociale et politique en Amerique centrale a mis en evidence la facon dont la religion et les institutions ecclesiastiques peuvent jouer un role decisif dans la lutte ideologique. La strategie du Vatican dans la region a trouve sa legitimite dans la lutte contre le danger marxiste, le pire ennemi de l'identite ecclesiale. L'Eglise populaire a rencontre de nombreuses difficultes dans sa volonte d'appuyer l'engagement des chretiens dans la lutte pour la justice et la construction d'une societe plus fraternelle
TL;DR: Despite the influence of North American tele-evangelists in Brazil, it is possible to speak of a Brazilian "Electronic Church" with its indigenous thaumaturgical practices as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Despite the influence of North American “tele-evangelists” in Brazil, it is possible to speak of a Brazilian “Electronic Church” with its indigenous thaumaturgical practices. These broadcasts reinforce and promote a religiosity of daily ritual at the same time as using it, closely associating the healing of the sick and requests for financial aid. Donation is a fundamental element of healing, according to the modalities of popular Catholicism with its principle of an alliance and contract between believer and patron saint transferred to the television screen.
TL;DR: The world network of Islamic banks established since 1975 (without predetermined levels of interest) proves to be well adjusted to the dominant “traditional” world banking system as discussed by the authors, and it permits a certain contribution from the "rentier-states" of the Gulf to the poor and very poor muslim countries.
Abstract: The “state economism” of the 1960s and 1970s failed in many of its aims, but it probably paved the way for a new development process. “Islamic economics” today appears a good alternative. It springs from welldefined economic ethics in the large corpus of Fiqh (Islamic law and ethics), notably: common interest and “Mankind's principality upon Earth”; free private productive property; various hiring and leasing and tenancy agreements without risk; exchange contracts without usury/interest; and zakat or Koranic tax, usually translated as “alms”, interpreted as a social tax system for modern development and social justice. The world network of Islamic banks established since 1975 (without predetermined levels of interest) proves to be well adjusted to the dominant “traditional” world banking system. It permits a certain contribution from the “rentier-states” of the Gulf to the poor and very poor muslim countries. This Islamic doctrine and practice may well be a more motivational symbol than Nasserian (or Shah...
TL;DR: The sociological interpretation of these Pentecostal churches as mentioned in this paper is merely an attempt to respond to the following question: how is one to understand a capitalistic society, tending towards socioeconomic expansion, based on technical-scientific rationality, but comfortably accommodating magico-religious expressions whose world view distances that society radically from capitalistic rationality? Clarification of this problem pivots on the central concept of...
Abstract: In our contemporary socio-religious context, where Christian and non-Christian religions offer a wide and varied range of options, newly founded Pentecostal churches - like “Universal Kingdom”, “God Is Love” and others - occupy a prominent position. The continued growth in their membership arouses feelings of astonishment and concern among Catholics and Protestants alike. In contrast, not so long ago, joy and enthusiasm seized “Universal Kingdom” members, when called upon to fill the great Maracana Stadium in Rio. The sociological interpretation of these churches (mostly younger but one older), that we carry out here is merely an attempt to respond to the following question: how is one to understand a capitalistic society, tending towards socioeconomic expansion, based on technical-scientific rationality, but comfortably accommodating magico-religious expressions whose world view distances that society radically from capitalistic rationality? Clarification of this problem pivots on the central concept of ...
TL;DR: The economic practices of the Roman Catholic religious Institutes in the post-Vatican II era were discussed in this paper, where they were located between the full and ahistoric (theoretical) sense and rationalized charismatic economy.
Abstract: This article discusses the economic practices of the Catholic Religious Institutes in the post-Vatican II era. In the wake of Max Weber's theory of charisma these practices are located by the author between, on the one hand, “charismatic economy” in the full and ahistoric (theoretical) sense and, on the other, a “rationalized charismatic economy”. Finally the author asks whether there is space for “rationalized charismatic economic practices” in any modern economy and society.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present l'ouvrage de Gager intitule '' Kingdomand Community ''; Gager y expose comment les divers modeles empruntes aux sciences sociales peuvent aider a la reconstruction de la societe des premiers Chretiens.
Abstract: L'A. presente l'ouvrage de Gager intitule « Kingdomand Community »; Gager y expose comment les divers modeles empruntes aux sciences sociales peuvent aider a la reconstruction de la societe des premiers Chretiens. L'A. mentionne egalement, les critiques de reductionnisme et de refus de prendre en compte la specificite religieuse faites a l'ouvrage
TL;DR: The recherche d'une identite latino-americaine a ete un effort constant dans la tradition intellectuelle creole as discussed by the authors, e.g.
Abstract: La recherche d'une identite latino-americaine a ete un effort constant dans la tradition intellectuelle creole. Dans le contexte des mutations culturelles qui ont lieu a l'aube du XXI e siecle, la pensee latino-americaine peut etre reinventee avec originalite si la dependance par rapport a ce qu'on appelle l'Occident moderne est abandonnee et si l'on se tourne resolument vers la sagesse des cultures indigenes et populaires. Le christianisme reste un facteur de premiere importance dans ces cultures, mais n'est pas le substrat de leur identite
TL;DR: The Communion and Liberation movement as discussed by the authors is characterized by a determination to be represented in contemporary society which leads to major economic involvement, and this perspective impels this group to an economic activism which exceeds the need for simple self-financing.
Abstract: The Catholic movement Communion and Liberation is characterized by a determination to be represented in contemporary society which leads to major economic involvement. Religious belonging is not just a reference point orientating individual values, but above all represents their impetus towards a new life, productive of economic and social works. This perspective impels this group to an economic activism which exceeds the need for simple self-financing. This approach brings a rationalization of volunteerism to the fore, as well as a valorization of members' professional competence. This activism is not achieved without compromise with the political system. In fact, the latter profits greatly from its controlling power over public financing for new businesses, cultural associations and non-governmental associations in order to reinforce its electoral consensus. For this reason, analysis of the rapport between economy and religion leads us, in the case of the Communion and Liberation movement, to the heart ...
TL;DR: The use of heterdox religious infrastructures by military regimes as well as by neo-populist politicians confirms the perennial nature of traditional religious mentalities and practices and not the rise of a democratic and tolerant religious modernity as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Pentecostalism and other new religious movements have acquired an increasing social and political visibility during the 1980s. This corresponds to a restructuring of the religious field and a re-elaboration of the popular religion of subordinate and marginal social sectors by means of a symbolic do-it-yourselfism. Far from being faced with a movement of protestant religious reform as Martin and Stoll suggest in their recent works, we are witnessing a re-enchantment of the world in the sense of traditional, corporatist and authoritarian practices and values. The “clientelist” use of heterdox religious infrastructures by military regimes as well as by neo-populist politicians confirms the perennial nature of traditional religious mentalities and practices and not the rise of a democratic and tolerant religious modernity.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show how Christianity and the conquest of America undermined the various Indian utopias and brought to light the structures of power and neglect which led to the destruction of Indian identity.
Abstract: The historical reconstruction activity of the Indian project is an important element of its political strategy. Using numerous sources of documentation, the author shows how Christianity and the conquest of America undermined the various Indian utopias. Today, the Indian cause cannot be considered without taking into account the influences and constraints of world history, introduced by the conquest and Christianity. Through an historical approach, the author brings to light the structures of power and of neglect which led to the destruction of Indian identity. During the course of the “spiritual conquest”, Christianity not only destroyed Indian identity but also its own identity and integrity. The historical reconstruction of these 500 years offers help to Indian peoples and Christianity in liberating themselves from the traumatizing and paralysing experiences of powerlessness and guilt and in taking a first step towards a new identity. This identity is the indispensable basis of the struggle against the...