Title Proclaiming Political Pluralism : Churches and Political Transitions in Africa

Published Portsmouth : Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated ; Santa Barbara : ABC-CLIO, LLC [distributor]

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Description 1 online resource Series Religion in the Age of Transformation Ser Religion in the Age of Transformation Ser Summary Annotation. As the population of Africa increasingly converts to Christianity, the church has stepped up its involvement in secular affairs revolving around the transition to democracy in nations such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Comparative in approach, the author analyzes patterns of church-state relations in various sub-Saharan countries, and contends that churches become more active and politically prominent when elements and organizations of civil society are repressed by political factors or governing bodies, providing services to maintain the well-being of civil society in the absence of those organizations being repressed. The author concludes, that once political repression subsides, churches tend to withdraw from a confrontation with the state and their political role becomes unclear. This unique book advances the idea that in pluralist Africa, churches should focus their influence and resources on nurturing the fragile multiparty democracies and promoting peace and reconciliation. In his analysis of church-state relations in sub-Saharan Africa, Phiri shows how churches are drawn into confrontation with the state by the repression of civil society and that once civil society is liberated, direct church-state confrontation diminishes. In South Africa, churches led by figures such as Bishop Desmond Tutu assumed a major role after nationalist movements such as Nelson Mandela's African National Congress were banned and their leaders jailed. In Zimbabwe, the church assumed a confrontational role in 1965 after political movements were banned and their leaders exiled. In Zambia, churches became confrontational when the single-party rule repressed all opposition and supported the rise of the prodemocracy movement that ended Kenneth Kaunda's twenty-seven-year rule. Examining these situations and others in different parts of Africa, Phiri illuminates the major issues and conflicts and suggests ways in which the church can continue to help promote smooth transitions to democracy Subject Christianity and politics -- Africa, Sub-Saharan -- History -- 20th century Church and state -- Africa, Sub-Saharan -- History -- 20th century Christianity and politics. Church and state. Politics and government. SUBJECT Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Politics and government -- 1960- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85001684 Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Church history -- 20th century Subject Sub-Saharan Africa. Genre/Form Church history. History. Form Electronic book ISBN 0275972143 9780275972141

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