'Neither here nor there': The construction of identities and boundary maintenance of West African Pentecostals

Hunt, Stephen

Abstract

The often taken-for-granted 'decline of religion' thesis has frequently led to the failure to recognize the significance of religion in both forging and articulating aspects of identity in the contemporary western context. In addressing such an issue this article seeks to explore the importance of religion in aiding the construction of the identities of West African migrants to Britain through a distinct and innovatory mode of Pentecostalism. While this vibrant form of Christianity has long been understood as a faith relevant to the needs of black ethnic minorities, its changing theodicies and value-orientation have helped the formation of identity and provide meaning to the experiences of a new generation of migrants.

Citation

Hunt, S. (2002). 'Neither here nor there': The construction of identities and boundary maintenance of West African Pentecostals. Sociology, 36(1), 147-169. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038502036001008

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2002
• Journal: Sociology
• Print ISSN: 0038-0385
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 147-169
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038502036001008
• Keywords: boundary maintenance, ethnicity, globalization, identity; migration, pentecostalism
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1079338
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0038038502036001008