PENTECOSTAL POLITICAL ACTIVISM IN THE USA AND THE UK: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

In historical terms, the Pentecostal movement, for almost a century, was known for its political quietism. Identifi ed by ecstatic and esoteric experiences, Pentecostalism was in essence world-rejecting by nature. The movement’s millenarian disposition meant that it had no or few political inclinat...

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Main Author: Stephen J. Hunt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Center for Study of Religion and Religious Tolerance 2017-01-01
Series:Politics and Religion
Subjects:
Online Access:http://politicsandreligionjournal.com/index.php/prj/article/view/187
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spelling doaj-89893f230ff34f93ad6c6636882aec772020-11-24T23:54:49ZengCenter for Study of Religion and Religious TolerancePolitics and Religion1820-65811820-659X2017-01-0121PENTECOSTAL POLITICAL ACTIVISM IN THE USA AND THE UK: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSISStephen J. Hunt In historical terms, the Pentecostal movement, for almost a century, was known for its political quietism. Identifi ed by ecstatic and esoteric experiences, Pentecostalism was in essence world-rejecting by nature. The movement’s millenarian disposition meant that it had no or few political inclinations. The return of Christ seemed imminent, ushering in the Kingdom of God that would replace all human authorities. With new waves of Pentecostalism spreading across the world, the movement appeared to become increasingly politicised in certain global context. This paper take a comparative analysis of the political undertakings of Pentecostalism in two western contexts, namely, the USA and the UK that provide examples of a seemingly highly religious society and a ‘mid-range’ secular society of Europe respectively. The paper overviews the activities of Pentecostals in both nations and identifi es the key factors behind the politicalization of the movement and explores the principal variables by which to understand diff erent levels of success achieved by the movement. This emphasis is supplemented by recognition of the contrasting political cultures in which the activities of the Pentecostals have operated.  http://politicsandreligionjournal.com/index.php/prj/article/view/187Evangelicalism, New Right Politics, Pentecostalism, Political Culture, United Kingdom, USA.
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Stephen J. Hunt
spellingShingle Stephen J. Hunt
PENTECOSTAL POLITICAL ACTIVISM IN THE USA AND THE UK: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Politics and Religion
Evangelicalism, New Right Politics, Pentecostalism, Political Culture, United Kingdom, USA.
author_facet Stephen J. Hunt
author_sort Stephen J. Hunt
title PENTECOSTAL POLITICAL ACTIVISM IN THE USA AND THE UK: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
title_short PENTECOSTAL POLITICAL ACTIVISM IN THE USA AND THE UK: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
title_full PENTECOSTAL POLITICAL ACTIVISM IN THE USA AND THE UK: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
title_fullStr PENTECOSTAL POLITICAL ACTIVISM IN THE USA AND THE UK: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
title_full_unstemmed PENTECOSTAL POLITICAL ACTIVISM IN THE USA AND THE UK: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
title_sort pentecostal political activism in the usa and the uk: a comparative analysis
publisher Center for Study of Religion and Religious Tolerance
series Politics and Religion
issn 1820-6581
1820-659X
publishDate 2017-01-01
description In historical terms, the Pentecostal movement, for almost a century, was known for its political quietism. Identifi ed by ecstatic and esoteric experiences, Pentecostalism was in essence world-rejecting by nature. The movement’s millenarian disposition meant that it had no or few political inclinations. The return of Christ seemed imminent, ushering in the Kingdom of God that would replace all human authorities. With new waves of Pentecostalism spreading across the world, the movement appeared to become increasingly politicised in certain global context. This paper take a comparative analysis of the political undertakings of Pentecostalism in two western contexts, namely, the USA and the UK that provide examples of a seemingly highly religious society and a ‘mid-range’ secular society of Europe respectively. The paper overviews the activities of Pentecostals in both nations and identifi es the key factors behind the politicalization of the movement and explores the principal variables by which to understand diff erent levels of success achieved by the movement. This emphasis is supplemented by recognition of the contrasting political cultures in which the activities of the Pentecostals have operated. 
topic Evangelicalism, New Right Politics, Pentecostalism, Political Culture, United Kingdom, USA.
url http://politicsandreligionjournal.com/index.php/prj/article/view/187
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