HomeBetween mobility and sedentarity: Pentecostal and Evangelical communities in Belgium in a context of religious globalisation
Between mobility and sedentarity: Pentecostal and Evangelical communities in Belgium in a context of religious globalisation
Entre mobilité et sédentarité : des communautés pentecôtistes et évangéliques en Belgique à l’heure de la globalisation religieuse
Published on Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Abstract
Both in Belgium and in Europe, debates about immigration are generally dominated by Islam which tends to overshadow the current religious pluralisation in our societies. However, since several decades multiple forms of religious recomposition have been taking place, in particular within the Christian field, where a new dynamic can be observed as a consequence of migration and missionary movements, such as Pentecostal and Evangelical groups. During this study day, on 14 November 2013, we aim to discuss the religious mutations that have occurred in Belgium during the last decades, through different forms of mobility: migration, intra-European mobility and the transformation of native Churches. In particular, we will examine how the tension between local community and globalisation, mobility and sedentarity, local belonging and transnational networks are brought about by these Churches.
Announcement
Argument
Both in Belgium and in Europe, debates about immigration are generally dominated by a problematized Islam which tends to overshadow the current religious pluralisation in our societies. However, since several decades multiple forms of religious recomposition have been taking place, in particular within the Christian field. In contrast with the decline of the traditional churches, a new dynamic can be observed as a consequence of migration and missionary movements (South-North and West-East), such as Pentecostal and Evangelical movements.
Pentecostalism(s) can be considered the main form of religious transnationalisation of the last century, with spectacular expansion in Africa and Latin America from the end of the 1960’s on. Due to this phenomenon, the centre of gravity of Christianity seems to have moved South in the last decades. But when we take a closer look, we are compelled to consider this centre as mobile and translocal as a consequence not only of incessant circulation of pastors, the networking logics of these churches and the increasing use of online and mobile communication technology.
Although the most dramatic recent transformations are largely due to intra-European or transnational migrations, European Pentecostal communities have also been influenced by campaigns of international evangelists or the retreat of North-American missionaries. Whether Belgian or migrant Churches, all have their peculiar origins and references, which make the current evangelical landscape in Belgium both diversified and atomised. As a result, it should be properly considered a plurality of Pentecostalisms and evangelical groups, which is irreducible to a homogeneous whole.
As such, religious practices and discourses differ due to both doctrinal diversity (Pentecostal, Evangelical, Charismatic, Neo-Pentecostal, etc.) and to the place given to geographic and social otherness, which one hopes either to conquer or to connect to.
During this study day, we aim to discuss the religious mutations that have occurred in Belgium during the last decades, through different forms of mobility: migration, intra-European mobility and the transformation of native Churches. In particular, we will examine how the tension between local community and globalisation, mobility and sedentarity, local belonging and transnational networks are brought about by these Churches.
- How does religious globalisation, to which these communities participate, reflect on the local level?
- How do transnational networks, or the symbolic or imaginary reference to Christian universalism, recompose the belonging to the local, to the global society, and to the Protestant world?
- Between will for independence and quest for recognition, does religious proselytism build up walls or does it enable to cross spatial and social boundaries?
- How do churches and believers interrelate in this pluralizing Belgian Protestant field (collective dynamics, competitive logics, communitarian enclosure…)?
- Which reactions and relations do Pentecostal and Evangelical Churches generate in society on the level of neighbourhood, institutions, or politics?
The logics of mobility and sedentarity of these Churches may be approached from different angles (strategy of implementation, religious recomposition, request to local recognition, transnational networks, etc.), levels (individuals, Churches, community) and temporalities (day-to-day life, religious and migratory carriers, institutions). Special attention will be given to interactions between Churches, with other religions, and with society at large.
Submission guidelines
This study day takes place on 14 November 2013 and is open to researchers in all disciplines and/or from all parts of the country. It aims to draw up the major tendencies in the Pentecostal and Evangelical landscape in Belgium and to set up a study group to enhance regular meetings with researchers who are working on Pentecostal and Evangelical movements in Belgium.
Proposals for a presentation of 350 words maximum should be sent to Sarah Demartsarah.demart@ulg.ac.be or Elisabeth Mareels elisabeth.mareels@uclouvain.be
before 30 July 2013.
Presentations will be given in either English or French.
Scientific convenors
- Sarah Demart, chargée de recherches FRS-FNRS, Cedem (Centre d'Etude de l'Ethnicité et des Migrations), Ulg, Belgique
- Elisabeth Mareels, aspirante FNRS, Laap (Laboratoire d'Antropologie Prospective), UCLouvain, Belgique
Subjects
Places
- Boulevard du Rectorat 7
Liège, Belgium (4000)
Date(s)
- Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Attached files
Keywords
- Mouvements pentecôtistes et évangéliques, migrations, missionaires, mobilité et sédentarité, Belgique
Contact(s)
- Sarah Demart
courriel : sarah [dot] demart [at] usaintlouis [dot] be - Elisabeth Mareels
courriel : elisabeth [dot] mareels [at] uclouvain [dot] be
Information source
- Elisabeth Mareels
courriel : elisabeth [dot] mareels [at] uclouvain [dot] be
License
This announcement is licensed under the terms of Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal.
To cite this announcement
« Between mobility and sedentarity: Pentecostal and Evangelical communities in Belgium in a context of religious globalisation », Call for papers, Calenda, Published on Tuesday, June 25, 2013, https://doi.org/10.58079/nx3
