Pentecostalism in Brazil

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xix

   PDF

2. Participation and the Poor: Liberation Theology

   • André Corten

   Pages 1-24

3. Emotion and the Poor: Pentecostalism (I)

   • André Corten

   Pages 25-44

4. Emotion and the Poor: Pentecostalism (II)

   • André Corten

   Pages 45-67

5. The Left and the ‘Passion of the Base’

   • André Corten

   Pages 68-82

6. Praise: an Original Utterance

   • André Corten

   Pages 83-100

7. Piety and Prosperity

   • André Corten

   Pages 101-125

8. The Sect: the Anti-Politics of the Poor

   • André Corten

   Pages 126-145

9. Conclusion

   • André Corten

   Pages 146-156

10. Back Matter

    Pages 157-206

    PDF

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. Pentecostalism is slowly eroding the foundation of Western political categories.

• culture
• emotion
• participation
• service
• utopia

'...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 André Corten, Professor of Political Science at the Université du Québec à Montréal. 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

'André 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. André 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

'André 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 ofthe 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

• Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada

  André Corten

ANDRÉ CORTEN is Professor of Political Science and Discourse Analysis at the Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada. He has taught in several universities, including those of Sao Paulo, Santiago de Chile, and Santo Domingo. He wrote many books, notably on the formation of political categories and State structuration in the Third World (Algeria, Mexico, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Brazil). He is currently co-editing publications on Pentecostalism in Africa and Latin America.

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