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T
he
world has long recognized that a catastrophe
is taking place on the African continent. Billions
of dollars of international aid have gone into
efforts to alleviate poverty, disease, corruption,
and war with little long-term improvement. One
very important, but poorly understood, development
has been overlooked: the rise of Pentecostalism.
The Faith for Development in South Africa
Project—a
collaboration between the Institute, the Institute
on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs at
Boston University, and the Centre
for Development and Enterprise in Johannesburg,
South Africa—seeks to remedy this oversight.
The Pentecostal Movement has millions of members
in Africa and is characterized by charismatic leadership,
exuberant worship, and, frequently, a synthesis
of Christianity and traditional African religions.
Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that the behavior
it inspires corresponds to what social theorists
have called “the Protestant ethic.” With
its emphasis on marital fidelity, an ascetic lifestyle,
disciplined work habits, and a positive attitude,
this moral system is highly conducive to modern
economic development in its formative phases. The
economic and political implications are enormous.
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