Valori religiosi e sviluppo in Brasile: Cattolicesimo e (Neo)Pentecostalismo verso la convergenza?

Abstract

The project adopts the theoretical framework of Luhmann’s social systems theory (Luhmann,1992) as an instrument for the analysis of late modern socio-economic contexts (Giddens, 1994), in the field of social sciences. In this heuristic model, I assume the religion as independent variable, that constitute an important element for the mobilization and creation of the symbolic resources at individual level (Pace,2004) . Within this conceptual framework, this work tries to verify the convergence/divergence of the values transmitted by the new charismatic movements born inside Catholicism and Protestant Evangelicalism, through the case of study of Brazil. Specifically, the project aim to analyze the relationship existing between the attitudes and the beliefs that are derived from the doctrinal corpus of the Pentecostal denominations (divided in: classic denominations and neopentecostal denominations) toward socio-economic development (Inglehart & Wezel 2010). The same relationship is analyzed with respect to the Catholic Church (divided in classic Catholics and charismatic Catholics). In sum, the research wants to verify if there is any convergence of the values transmitted by the four groups on economic and political fields, through the analysis of the values preferences expressed by believers. A fifth group, composed by individuals without religious affiliation, is used in this work as control group. In relation to the results of the work, it is possible to argue that there is an association from the religious theological values as processed in the cognitive systems of the believer, and their attitudes toward specific factors related to socio-economic development. With respect to divergence among the groups; the religious group and non-denominational group show marked disparity (first cleavage) . Between the religious groups, there is still a division between Catholics and Evangelical Pentecostalism (second cleavage ); in particular in this case the difference is most obvious in latter form of the Protestantism, Evangelical Pentecostalism. At the same time seems to be a process of convergence within the different manifestations of Pentecostalism, here defined as renewalist movement, (e.g, the Renewal Charismatic Movement) crosses the institutional boundaries of the denominations (bridge).