Globalization, Cultural Change and Religion: The Case of Pentecostalism
Author(s)
Alberto da Silva Moreira
Affiliation(s)
Advanced Studies Group on Religion and Globalization, Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás, Goiania, Brazil.
Advanced Studies Group on Religion and Globalization, Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás, Goiania, Brazil.
ABSTRACT
The challenges faced by this paper are two folds: to understanding how cultural changes brought about by globalization can influence religions and, conversely, how religions can influence broader cultural change. Globalization has spread powerful cultural forms, such as international popular consumer culture, media culture and the culture of the individual. These cultural forms or horizons interact with and transform local cultures which are often intertwined with traditional religions. Throughout this process, traditional religion can weaken its potential to express local cultures, but can also become a vehicle used to express strategies of identity affirmation. Many modalities of globalization-compatible religion, like Pentecostalism, are also consistently penetrated by consumer culture, media culture and individualism. When they interact with traditional religion, they often function as a critical dissolving factor. Therefore, Pentecostalism and similar religions have themselves become active factors in (global) cultural change processes.
The challenges faced by this paper are two folds: to understanding how cultural changes brought about by globalization can influence religions and, conversely, how religions can influence broader cultural change. Globalization has spread powerful cultural forms, such as international popular consumer culture, media culture and the culture of the individual. These cultural forms or horizons interact with and transform local cultures which are often intertwined with traditional religions. Throughout this process, traditional religion can weaken its potential to express local cultures, but can also become a vehicle used to express strategies of identity affirmation. Many modalities of globalization-compatible religion, like Pentecostalism, are also consistently penetrated by consumer culture, media culture and individualism. When they interact with traditional religion, they often function as a critical dissolving factor. Therefore, Pentecostalism and similar religions have themselves become active factors in (global) cultural change processes.
Cite this paper
da Silva Moreira, A. (2014) Globalization, Cultural Change and Religion: The Case of Pentecostalism. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2, 381-387. doi: 10.4236/jss.2014.24043.
da Silva Moreira, A. (2014) Globalization, Cultural Change and Religion: The Case of Pentecostalism. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2, 381-387. doi: 10.4236/jss.2014.24043.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0263276406062700 [8] Lehman, D. (2009) Religion and Globalization, In: Woodhead, L., et al. Religions in the Modern World, Taylor & Francis, London, 407-428. [9] Gomes, W. (1994) Teologia da Posse. In: Antoniazzi, A., Ed., Nem Anjos Nem Demônios, Vozes, Petrópolis, 225-270. [10] Pace, E. (2006) Salvation Goods, the Gift Economy and Charismatic Concern. Social Compass, 53, 49-64.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0037768606061577 [11] Mariano, R. (1999) Neopentecostais. Sociologia do novo Pentecostalismo no Brasil. Loyola, São Paulo. [12] Mariano, R. (2004) Expansão Pentecostal No Brasil: o caso da Igreja Universal. Estudos Avançados, 18, 121-138.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-40142004000300010 [13] Thompson, J. B. (1995) Ideologia e Cultura Moderna—Teoria Social Crítica na era dos Meios de Comunicação de Massa. Vozes, Petrópolis. [14] Thompson, J.B. (1998) A Mídia e a Modernidade—Uma Teoria Social da Mídia. Vozes, Petrópolis. [15] Moreira, A. da S. (2003) Cultura Midiática e Educação Infantil. Educação & Sociedade, 24, 1203-1236.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-73302003000400006 [16] Fonseca, A.B. (1998) Evangélicos e Mídia No Brasil. Edusf, Bragança Paulista. [17] Debord, G. (1997) A Sociedade do Espetáculo. Contraponto, Sço Paulo. [18] Boli, J. (2005) Contemporary Developments in World Culture. International Journal of Comparative Sociology, 46, 390. [19] Bauman, Z. (2001) Modernidade Líquida. Zahar, Rio de Janeiro, 46. [20] Boli, J. (2005) Contemporary Developments in World Culture. International Journal of Comparative Sociology, 46, 389. [21] Pierucci, A.F. (2006) Religião Como Solvente—Uma Aula. Novos Estudos CEBRAP, 75, 111-127.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-33002006000200008 [22] Giddens, A. (1991) As Conseqüências da Modernidade. Ed. UNESP, São Paulo. [23] Gumucio, C.P. (2008) Interculturality, Conflicts and Religion: Theoretical Perspectives. Social Compass, 55, 316-329.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0037768608093694 [24] Oro, A.P. (2004) A Presença Religiosa Brasileira No Exterior: o Caso da Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus. Estudos Avançados, 18, 139-155.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-40142004000300011 [25] Hervieuléger, D. (2007) O Peregrino e o Convertido. Vozes, Petrópolis. [26] Moreira, A. Da S. (2010) The Global Expansion of Brazilian Pentecostalism. Anais do 34? Encontro Anual da Anpocs.
http://www.anpocs.org.br/portal/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=90 [27] Freston, P. (2007) Latin America: The Other Christendom, Pluralism and Globalization. In: Beyer, P. and Beaman. L., Eds., Globalization, Religion and Culture, Brill, Leiden, 577-599.