15. Religion & Development

• What did Nanda say about globalisation in India?


  -Globalisation has caused rapid economic growth in India & a new middle class

  -Examines the role of hinduism (85% of country being so) in legitimising a hindu 'ultra-nationalism' and the prosperity of the middle class
• What did Nanda say about Hinduism & consumerism?


  -Globalisation created a prosperous and scientifically educated middle class who should be the first to become secularised

  -New middle class is more religious than the rural illiterate working class and 30% report that they are becoming more religious

  -An increase of religious tourism to shrines etc. means religiosity is becoming a trend
• What did Nanda say to explain Hinduism & consumerism?

  increasing religiosity of the indian middle class stems from an uncertainty about their newfound wealth

  there is a tension between traditional hindu ascetism and the new wealth of the middle class

  this is resolved by tele-gurus who preach that desire is a manifestation of divinity that motivates people and isn't a bad thing

  modern versions of hinduism legitimise the position of the middle class
• Hindu civil religion

  93% of indians agreed with the statement 'our people aren't perfect, but our culture is superior to others' - the most of any country

  worshipping hindu gods has become the same as worshipping the indian nation - a civil religion (bellah) - which creates a widening gap between non-hindu minorities and hinduism
• What did Berger say about Pentecostalism in Latin America?


  latin american pentecostalism acts as a 'functional equivalent' to the protestant ethic as it similarly encourages capitalism

  latin american pentecostalists live an ascetic lifestyle with an emphasis on personal discipline, hard work and an abstinence from alcohol

  this is needed to raise a country out of poverty, and can be led by a minority

  however suggests natural resources are also necessary and the work ethic alone isn't enough to produce economic development
• Local Pentacostalism (Lehmann)


  pentecostalism has been successful as it is able to incorporate local beliefs

  its message is similar worldwide but it uses imagery and symbolism drawn from local cultures

  attack cults and use exorcisms on evil spirits which validates local beliefs while allowing people access christianity

  this ability to adapt makes it successful in all countries, particulalry as it can appeal to the poor which make up a large proportion of developing countries
• Global Pentacostalism (Lehmann)


  there are two phases in the expansion of christianity out of europe

  colonialisation imposes christianity on indigenous populations, often by forcibly suppressing new religions

  in the last century or so it has spread because it gained a popular following