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Religious Pluralism and the Interaction between Pentecostal Christianity and African Traditional Religions: A Case Study of ZAOGA and Shona Traditional Religion

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Aspects of Pentecostal Christianity in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This chapter examines critically the implications of the interactions of two religions on religious pluralism in Zimbabwe. It uses ZAOGA as a case study and relates it to the general Shona Traditional Religious (ATR) beliefs and practices. The central argument of this chapter is that Pentecostal Christianity does not uphold the spirit of religious pluralism. In fact, it manipulates the differences that abound between the two by casting them in bad light as a conversion strategy. As a result, the religious landscape is characterized by suspicion and animosity contrary to the pluralist spirit. The chapter begins by treating the pluralist model to demonstrate the anticipated religious environment that should prevail all times to benefit humanity. It proceeds to discuss tenets of ATR followed by addressing the rise of Pentecostal Christianity in Zimbabwe highlighting its propagation strategies. It is at this point that the relationship between Pentecostal Christianity and Shona Traditional Religious beliefs and practices is brought into limelight. The chapter endeavours to isolate key tenets that constitute the rift between the two leading to a relationship that stifles the pluralist spirit in the discourse of religious pluralism.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See Kudzai Biri’s reinterpretation of the church’s doctrine of prosperity in this volume (Chap. 5).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Religous Studies, Classics and Philosophy, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Nisbert T. Taringa

  2. Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe

    Macloud Sipeyiye

Authors
  1. Nisbert T. Taringa
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  2. Macloud Sipeyiye
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

    Lovemore Togarasei

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Taringa, N.T., Sipeyiye, M. (2018). Religious Pluralism and the Interaction between Pentecostal Christianity and African Traditional Religions: A Case Study of ZAOGA and Shona Traditional Religion. In: Togarasei, L. (eds) Aspects of Pentecostal Christianity in Zimbabwe. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78565-3_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78565-3_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-78564-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-78565-3

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