DOCSLIB.ORG

Who Is Morris Cerullo? Hector Avalos Grünbaum, Marvin Kohl, Jean Kotkin, Thelma Lavine, Ronald A

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Who Is Morris Cerullo? Hector Avalos Grünbaum, Marvin Kohl, Jean Kotkin, Thelma Lavine, Ronald A ( Winter 93/94 "Ivan the Terrible' The Evidence - Re-Examined Joe Nickell 34 II 25274 7495 7 7 WINTER 1993/94, VOL. 14, NO. 1 ISSN 0272-0701 Contents Editor: Paul Kurtz Senior Editors: Vern Bullough, Gerald Larue, Gordon Stein 3 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Executive Editor: Timothy J. Madigan Managing Editor: Andrea Szalanski FAITH HEALING: MIRACLE OR MIRAGE? Contributing Editors: Robert S. Alley, Joe E. Barnhart, David Berman, 4 Introduction: Faith Healing Revisited Paul Kurtz H. James Birx, Jo Ann Boydston, Bonnie Bullough, Paul Edwards, Albert Ellis, Roy P. Fairfield, Charles 5 The Faith Healing Claims of Morris Cerullo Dr. Peter May W. Faulkner, Antony Flew, Levi Fragell, Adolf 7 Who Is Morris Cerullo? Hector Avalos Grünbaum, Marvin Kohl, Jean Kotkin, Thelma Lavine, Ronald A. Lindsay, Michael Martin, Delos 12 The Biblical Roots of Faith Healing Paul Kurtz B. McKown, John Novak, Howard Radest, Robert 14 Faith Healing in the Black Community Rimmer, Michael Rockier, Svetozar Stojanovic, Norm R. Allen, Jr. Thomas Szasz, V. M. Tarkunde, Richard Taylor, 15 `Psychic Healing' and Alternative Medicine James Randi Rob Tielman 20 EDITORIALS Associate Editors: Doris Doyle, Thomas Flynn, Steven L. Mitchell, Lee John Paul II: Humanist? Timothy J. Madigan / Progress in Nisbet Ireland, Dick Spicer / The Rocky Road to Victory, Skipp Porteous Editorial Associates: / Update on Noah's Ark, Gerald Larue Thomas Franczyk, Roger Greeley, James Martin- Diaz, Molleen Matsumura, Warren Allen Smith 24 ON THE BARRICADES Chairman, CODESH, Inc.: Paul Kurtz 25 Are We Approaching the End of the Age of Books? Chief Development Officer: James Kimberly Prometheus at Age Twenty-Five: Paul Kurtz Public Relations Director, Executive Director, African-Americans for 29 State and Church in Modern Germany Hans Sebald Humanism: Norm R. Allen, Jr. Executive Director, Secular Organizations for 34 Jesus Through the Looking Glass: An Update on the Sobriety: James Christopher Who-Was-Jesus Movement R. Joseph Hoffmann Chief Data Officer: Richard Seymour 37 An Interview with Tai Solarin Typesetting: Paul E. Loynes 42 `Ivan' Revisited: Was John Demjanjuk `Innocent'? ... Joe Nickell Graphic Designer: J. J. Chrystal 48 Matilda Joslyn Gage Lois K Porter Audio Technician: Vance Vigrass Staff: 51 BOOKS Georgeia Locurcio, Anthony Nigro, Ranjit Sandhu Disputing the Charge of a Cultural Conspiracy, Robert Alley / FREE INQUIRY (ISSN 0272-0701) is published quarterly by the Council for Democratic and Secular Read It and Weep, Molleen Matsumura / Examining `Creation Humanism (CODESH, Inc.), a nonprofit Science,' Richard Huett / Books in Brief corporation, 3965 Rensch Road, Buffalo, NY 14228- 2713. Phone (716) 636-7571. Fax (716) 636-1733. Copyright ©1993 by CODESH, Inc. Second-class 55 POINT/COUNTERPOINT postage paid at Buffalo, N.Y., and at additional mailing offices. National distribution by In Response to Grünbaum's Defense, Seymour Cain International Periodicals Distributors, Solana Seymour Cain's Jeremiad: A Rejoinder, Adolf Grünbaum Beach, California. FREE INQUIRY is available from University Microfilms and is indexed in 63 READERS' FORUM Philosophers' Index. Subscription rates: $25.00 for one year, $43.00 for two years, $59.00 for three years, $6.25 for single 66 IN THE NAME OF GOD issues. Address subscription orders, changes of address, and advertising to: FREE INQUIRY, Box 664, Buffalo, NY 14226-0664. Cover photo by John Hassen /ratz Manuscripts, letters, and editorial inquiries should be addressed to: The Editor, FREE INQUIRY, Box 664, Buffalo, NY 14226-0664. All manuscripts must be typed double-spaced and should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or publisher. Postmaster: Send address changes to FREE INQUIRY, Box 664, Buffalo, NY 14226-0664. be performed as part of a church service. There is passion, drama, and depth of Letters to the Editor feeling in every part—the same kinds of emotions that inform his greatest operas and give us such deep satisfaction. They have nothing intrinsically to do with religious dogma. I believe that one of Are Rites Right? The observance could be as simple the reasons we have music is its power as lighting a candle or as involved as to lead us into realms of thought and "Should Secular Humanists Celebrate our imagination will take us. feeling that have no parallel in words. the Rites of Passage?" (FI, Fall 1993) got right to the core of what, for me, Arttie Piar Gómez Christopher Bonds has been the most challenging part of Pittsfield, Mass. Wayne, Neb. being a secular humanist. Celebrations are a central part of human society. They draw us together Historically rituals and ceremonies have School Choice in a focus on shared values. Marriage helped humans to focus the mind and celebrates a commitment of two people the emotions on important aspects of life I disagree with Skipp Porteous's con- to build a common life together. The and by symbolism pass on generation tention that school choice imple- Fourth of July celebrates Americans' to generation basic human values. In mented via a voucher system violates the commitment to building a nation based response to the suggestion of Molleen constitutional provision for a separation on personal freedom. Birthdays celebrate Matsumura I submit the following that between church and state ("Whose the passage of time in an individual's life. I have used for our family dinner at Choice?" Fall 1993). If the contention The Christmas and New Year holidays recent Thanksgiving celebrations. were true, the state would have to take celebrate the gathering of families and steps to ensure that all transfer payments friends. Unfortunately, religionists have Let us close our eyes for a moment to citizens be used only for things devoid and concentrate on the power of love of religious content. For instance it actively taken ownership of many of within us. The love we feel for each these celebrations. other and the love we feel toward every would not be permitted to buy kosher We humanists have not had good person we influence. Let us recognize foods with food stamps, hold a religious alternatives to these rituals and celebra- that love is the means by which we ceremony in a public housing apartment, tions to offer to those who are question- care for each other and share with each or use veterans benefits to attend other; by caring and sharing we make ing their religious beliefs but need a sense our individual contribution to the Brigham Young University or Notre of community. By emphasizing our contentment and happiness among Dame. It seems to me that the separation shared values and searching for those ourselves, and, hopefully, peace and amendment is intended to keep the areas of common ground, we will find understanding among all peoples of government from sanctioning a religion, more opportunities to help people see the world. On this day of Thanksgiv- not to prevent persons who receive ing we give thanks to each other for that it is possible to live meaningful and friendship and understanding and government aid from practicing their happy lives without resorting to the love. religion. Vouchers are intended to buy crutch of religion. If we are passionate a basic education for a child. So long about our beliefs, it is just those Florien J. Wineriter as that purpose is accomplished, the opportunities we should be looking for. Salt Lake City, Utah religious content of the education should not be a concern of the Brian Falony government. South Bend, Ind. A statement in George Rowell's "The Think of the positive uses to which Sunday Regression Service" was difficult the vouchers can be put, rather than for me to accept as a professional dwell on what the religious nuts will do Molleen Matsumura ("Holidays for musician and professor of music. Briefly with them. For instance, they can be used Humanists") closed with the words: "I mentioning the role of music in religious to put a child in a school that provides hope readers of FREE INQUIRY will observance, he writes: "all religious a good scientific education including respond to this symposium with sugges- music sounds the same—even a Verdi thorough and honest studies of evolu- tions for holidays we could enjoy Requiem, or Haydn oratorio." Verdi's tion, cosmology, and philosophy. together." Just like we traditionally Requiem is a magnificent work in every celebrate the birthdays of friends and respect. I don't consider it a religious John C. Glasgow II family we could also celebrate the work in spite of the text, and I don't Fort Walton Beach, Fla. birthdays of scholars and writers who believe Verdi did either. It is a great piece have had an influence on our lives. of theater, and was never intended to (Letters, cont d. on p. 65) Winter 1993/94 3 FREE INQUIRY Symposium Faith Healing: Miracle or Mirage? This issue of FREE INQUIRY revisits the question of faith healing, for a new wave of faith healers is going strong. This time we focus on Morris Cerullo, an American evangelist who has taken his ministry abroad. We are very fortunate to be able to publish a special study of Cerullo's work by the British physician Peter May. We have also invited James Randi to do a follow-up article on Stephen Turoff, who claims to be able to do `psychic healing." Unverified claims accepted by a gullible and credulous public are found in both cases. We conclude that we are dealing with more mirage than miracle. Introduction: Faith Healing Revisited Paul Kurtz pioneering work in faith healing in- went on for five hours, involving music, found outright deception. Some of the vestigation was undertaken in 1986 song, and prayers. Hundreds of people faith healers led the audience to believe by the conjurer James Randi in coopera- came forward to attest to their cures.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • TV Preview: Tales of Television Centre at BFI Southbank / Tue 15 May / 18:10
    PRESS RELEASE April 2012 12/29 TV Preview: Tales of Television Centre At BFI Southbank / Tue 15 May / 18:10 BFI Southbank is delighted to present a preview screening of Tales of Television Centre, the upcoming feature-length documentary telling the story of one of Britain’s most iconic buildings as the BBC prepares to leave it. The screening will be introduced by the programme’s producer-director Richard Marson The story is told by both staff and stars, among them Sir David Frost, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Joan Bakewell, Jeremy Paxman, Sir Terry Wogan, Esther Rantzen, Angela Rippon, Biddy Baxter, Edward Barnes, Sarah Greene, Waris Hussein, Judith Hann, Maggie Philbin, John Craven, Zoe and Johnny Ball and much loved faces from Pan’s People (Babs, Dee Dee and Ruth) and Dr Who (Katy Manning, Louise Jameson and Janet Fielding). As well as a wealth of anecdotes and revelations, there is a rich variety of memorable, rarely seen (and in some cases newly recovered) archive material, including moments from studio recordings of classic programmes like Vanity Fair, Till Death Us Do Part, Top of the Pops and Dr Who, plus a host of vintage behind-the-scenes footage offering a compelling glimpse into this wonderful and eccentric studio complex – home to so many of the most celebrated programmes in British TV history. Press Contacts: BFI Southbank: Caroline Jones Tel: 020 7957 8986 or email: [email protected] Lucy Aronica Tel: 020 7957 4833 or email: [email protected] NOTES TO EDITORS TV Preview: Tales of Television Centre Introduced by producer-director Richard Marson BBC 2012.
    [Show full text]
  • V'j/SO14 RCA's Broadcast Antenna Center
    V'J/SO14 Broadcast and Teleproduction Happenings PTL-'The Inspirational Network" Expands WDZL -TV, New 24 -Hour UHF RCA's Broadcast Antenna Center Quality Video's Mobile Unit www.americanradiohistory.com On the move. for you! 4,-. ..._V,. at" \ ,,\ 1 bt, . V I . O.. I . ` . .,S{+?f " \ Y '1 y^$(.. 4 , ,. P .. 1N " 1 , ; rÿ: I:IYf . ;-- ' !Í "' II-, i..R . a. : RCA Y{RWJä1sCAb7 6Y&Taa -1 f, ...,p,a- -.Ni l¡ JI ^ Idi.1 0 1 f' .i.w , +u. --^jyL ' r +,., p _ f ÿ'S 1, y, wpkM3.xyn. ,, nasr : . l . r -.-- / ( ,r w. }'Y, ) `r---._ .:. , a./ _ .*.Yd.g j 'i2N'-rE .., 3 s!Y ` 5 -,:. .` 'ß` ,...7.!: r.i/ .. 1 c.i` 1,'fy.VrY, *--rit, j+i .. ;j -'' - , }. - r* 1,:& r.1. `da .a ..\.". 47-77::` N1u " ` yy',, C ` .a..s"ç. _- 1, - l'3aa-y..í.-,.+D:.. `... View from United Slates Avenue There is a new RCA Broadcast Systems Di- We're moving toward a full integrated vision, operating from a new headquar- operation -consolidating administration, ters location in Gibbsboro, New Jersey. engineering and manufacturing in one Administrative operations- marketing, area for added efficiency and customer - product management, Tech Alert, cus- responsive service. tomer service and finance -are already in RCA Broadcast Systems move to Gibbs - place on site, and a new building is under boro reaffirms our commitment to remain construction. When completed later this the industry's leading supplier of quality year, TV transmitter engineering and pro- products, with unequalled support duction will move from Meadow Lands, services.
    [Show full text]
  • From Beit Abhe to Angamali: Connections, Functions and Roles of the Church of the East’S Monasteries in Ninth Century Christian-Muslim Relations
    Middlesex University Research Repository An open access repository of Middlesex University research http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk Cochrane, Steve (2014) From Beit Abhe to Angamali: connections, functions and roles of the Church of the East’s monasteries in ninth century Christian-Muslim relations. PhD thesis, Middlesex University / Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. [Thesis] Final accepted version (with author’s formatting) This version is available at: https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/13988/ Copyright: Middlesex University Research Repository makes the University’s research available electronically. Copyright and moral rights to this work are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners unless otherwise stated. The work is supplied on the understanding that any use for commercial gain is strictly forbidden. A copy may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial, research or study without prior permission and without charge. Works, including theses and research projects, may not be reproduced in any format or medium, or extensive quotations taken from them, or their content changed in any way, without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). They may not be sold or exploited commercially in any format or medium without the prior written permission of the copyright holder(s). Full bibliographic details must be given when referring to, or quoting from full items including the author’s name, the title of the work, publication details where relevant (place, publisher, date), pag- ination, and for theses or dissertations the awarding institution, the degree type awarded, and the date of the award. If you believe that any material held in the repository infringes copyright law, please contact the Repository Team at Middlesex University via the following email address: [email protected] The item will be removed from the repository while any claim is being investigated.
    [Show full text]
  • HANCOCK's HALF HOUR COLLECTIBLES Notes To
    HANCOCK’S HALF HOUR COLLECTIBLES Notes to Accompany Volume 3 All photographs copyright (C) BBC (unless otherwise stated) The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society is delighted to have given its support to the production of this new and unique series concerning the lost works of Tony Hancock. Tony Hancock: BBC Publicity Shot for Hancock’s Half Hour, November 1956 The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society (THAS) Since its creation in 1976, the THAS has dedicated itself to preserving and promoting the works of Tony Hancock and, more crucially, to finding his broadcasts that were missing from the archives. Over the decades, these efforts have yielded a wealth of material, most notably lost episodes of his most beloved work on Hancock’s Half Hour for both television and radio. Many of these have now been located and returned to the BBC; some feature in this special series of Collectibles, now into 1 its third volume. However, many still remain lost at this time. In addition, our efforts have found other material – shows recorded before Hancock became a household name – from series such as Calling All Forces, Variety Bandbox and Star Bill. Again, examples of these can be found in this series. In the previous volumes, there was an extensive analysis of missing recordings from Hancock’s radio career, and, as ever, we remain hopeful that some of these recordings will emerge from private collections or, perhaps, the archives of the BBC or other institutions. In these notes, we will focus on a number of missing recordings and shows outside the ‘core’ work Hancock did on his eponymous series and those that preceded it.
    [Show full text]
  • Spring 2006 Bulletin 85
    Advertisements Diary Dates Please refer to VLV when responding to advertisements. VLV Ltd cannot accept any liability or complaint in regard to the following offers. The charge for classified advertisements is 30p per word, 20p for Wednesday 26 April members. Please send typed copy with a cheque made payable to VLV Ltd. For display space please VLV Spring Conference contact Linda Forbes on 01474 352835. The Royal Society, London SW1 10.30am – 5.00pm The Radio Listener's Guide 2006 The Television Viewer's Guide 2006 Wednesday 26 April Presentation of VLV’s Awards G 160 pages G 160 pages for Excellence In Broadcasting G Frequencies for all BBC and commercial radio G Digital TV details of what you need to pick up Sky, The Royal Society, London SW1 stations, plus DAB digital transmitter details. Freeview or cable 1.45pm – 2.30pm G Radio Reviews Independent reviews of over G Transmitter sites for all analogue and digital Thursday, 11 May 130 radios including DAB digital radios. television transmitters. An Evening with Joan Bakewell G News from both BBC and commercial radio stations. G Equipment advice covering TV sets, VCRs, DVD One Whitehall Place, players and recorders, Sky and Freeview. G Digital Radio (DAB) The latest news and information. London SW1 G Freeview set-top box guide. 6.30pm – 8.20pm G Sky and Freeview radio information and G channel lists. Channel lists for Sky and Thursday, 18 May Freeview. VLV Evening Seminar with Mark G Advice showing how to get the G Thompson, BBC Director General best from your radio.
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of the Search for Noah's Ark
    The Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism Volume 6 Print Reference: Pages 485-502 Article 39 2008 A Review of the Search for Noah's Ark Anne Habermehl Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/icc_proceedings DigitalCommons@Cedarville provides a publication platform for fully open access journals, which means that all articles are available on the Internet to all users immediately upon publication. However, the opinions and sentiments expressed by the authors of articles published in our journals do not necessarily indicate the endorsement or reflect the views of DigitalCommons@Cedarville, the Centennial Library, or Cedarville University and its employees. The authors are solely responsible for the content of their work. Please address questions to [email protected]. Browse the contents of this volume of The Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism. Recommended Citation Habermehl, Anne (2008) "A Review of the Search for Noah's Ark," The Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism: Vol. 6 , Article 39. Available at: https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/icc_proceedings/vol6/iss1/39 In A. A. Snelling (Ed.) (2008). Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Creationism (pp. 485–502). Pittsburgh, PA: Creation Science Fellowship and Dallas, TX: Institute for Creation Research. A Review of the Search for Noah’s Ark Anne Habermehl, B.Sc., 25 Madison Street, Cortland, NY 13045 Abstract There have been many alleged sightings of the Ark and numerous attempts to find it, mainly on Mount Ararat, but search attempts so far have been without success. In the light of history, geology, and archaeology, we need to consider that the Ark probably landed elsewhere, and that there may be little of it left.
    [Show full text]
  • ABSTRACT God's Faith-Healing Entrepreneur: Oral Roberts
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
    [Show full text]
  • Remembering Reinhard Bonnke: P.10 He Plundered Hell and Populated Heaven! 12-14 MARCH 2020 |KCM.ORG.AU/SLPC20
    MAR 2020 KCM.ORG.AU/MAGAZINE TM Remembering Reinhard Bonnke: P.10 He Plundered Hell and Populated Heaven! PATSY CAMENETI PATSY TERRI COPELAND PEARSONS TERRI COPELAND GEORGE PEARSONS MARGARET COURT BRISBANE - SpiritPRAYER CONFERENCELed 2020 12-14 MARCH 2020 | KCM.ORG.AU/SLPC20 VOL. 48 : No 3 : IN PRINT SINCE ’73 INSIDE MARCH Ever 4 Increasing Impact Gloria and I consider by Kenneth Copeland partnership a very Our impact for God sacred thing and are should always be convinced that the principles of partnership increasing so that are key to victory people can see Jesus in in these last days. us. For that to happen, we must continue to develop and practice the Partnership fundamentals of faith. can change your life! Remembering 10 Reinhard Bonnke: He Plundered Hell Visit or call to and Populated find out how! Heaven! kcm.org.au/partner At 10 years old, Reinhard Bonnke already knew he 1300 730 433 wanted to be a missionary (within Australia) or to Africa. His passion and +617 3343 7777 determination led him NZ 0800 903 100 to become one of the greatest soul winners of all time. The World 16 Is Waiting by Melanie Hemry After graduating from Rhema and working full time as a pastor for 24 years, Becky Haas felt she’d never made the impact for God’s kingdom that she was PATSY CAMENETI PATSY TERRI COPELAND PEARSONS TERRI COPELAND GEORGE PEARSONS MARGARET COURT P.10 called to make. In February 1984, Keeping Your Kenneth Copeland 22 FOCUS by Terri Savelle Foy prophesied that Reinhard God has an assignment Bonnke would one day preach that only you can fulfill.
    [Show full text]
  • History of Church Growth in Nigerian
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by European Scientific Journal (European Scientific Institute) European Scientific Journal October edition vol. 8, No.23 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e - ISSN 1857- 7431 MAIN TRENDS IN THE CHURCH GROWTH IN NIGERIA Adamolekun, Taiye, PhD Department Religion and African Culture, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria Abstract: The paper discusses the main trends in history of church growth and development in Nigeria. The methodology adopted is historical approach. The history of church growth and development in Nigeria is divided into five periods namely: the period of introducing Latin Christianity in the 15th and 16th Centuries; the period of Denominationalism and missionary activities in the 19th Century from 1842 onward; the period of evolution of independent Churches; the period of indigenous African Churches; and the period of the birth of Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches. It is established in the paper that church growth led to numerical strength of churches as seen in the proliferation of churches in Nigeria. It is observed that the dramatic rise of charismatic and Pentecostal movement led to the emergence of new churches and evangelical groups. The work suggested the establishment of more churches and the practice of ethical and moral teachings of the Bible. It concludes by recommending that church growth and development should not be based on orthodoxy but orthopraxis in order to change African society for better. Keywords: Trends, Church Growth, Development, Nigeria Introduction Christianity in Nigeria dates back to the 16th century when the Portuguese introduced Latin Christianity in Benin and Warri.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 33 2006 Issue
    Review of African Political Economy No.110:619-634 © ROAPE Publications Ltd., 2006 Religion, Ideology & Conflict in Africa Roy Love Prologue: Whose Political Agenda? The last issue which ROAPE devoted entirely to religion (‘Fundamentalism in Africa: Religion and Politics’, No. 52, 1991) reflected what its editors saw then as the principal area of concern, particularly Christian fundamentalism often sponsored by US evangelical churches. Global events since the devastation of the ‘twin towers’ in New York on 9 September 2001, the election and re-election to the American presidency of a ‘born again’ Christian,1 terrorist atrocities in Kenya and Tanzania and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, have altered the picture so radically that a revisit to the topic is now timely, if not overdue. In so doing it is appropriate also to update the terminology. ‘Fundamentalism’ has increasingly come to be seen as a problematic label, with a shift from its meaning of a dogmatism of belief that did not depart from literal interpretation of sacred texts. Concern today is not with religious belief per se, but faith as the basis for political activities and organisation, even if the rigidity of those beliefs adds intolerance to violent politics. This will be the focus of the current issue. In it we will tend to use the now more standard ‘Islamism’ and talk about Islamist movements rather than ‘Islamic fundamentalism’; likewise, rather than Christian fundamentalism we will talk about ideologies such as evangelism or Pentecostalism and in organisational terms concentrate on the familiar ‘Christian right’. There is also a contextual shift internal to Africa (and elsewhere globally) in the apparent burgeoning of religious bodies, of converts to new faiths and in the centrality of religious concerns, especially in politics – in turn reflected in the number of books, articles and conferences on these themes.2 The contemporary global backcloth is thus the starting point for looking at religion and politics in Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Christian Crusades in Nairobi: an Analysis of Socio-Religious Factors Underlying Their Upsurge
    Christian Crusades in Nairobi: An Analysis of Socio-Religious Factors Underlying Their Upsurge Table of Contents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 4. RESEARCH FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS 5. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS References Appendices 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background to the Problem From the time of its inception in Kenya, Christianity has taken various forms. Initially, there were efforts by pioneering missionaries to establish the Christian faith among different African Communities in Kenya. These efforts were characterised most by Western Christian missions. Efforts of this kind saw the gradual evolvement of such missions into churches within this country (Nthamburi 1991, 1995). The planting of missionary oriented churches was generally followed by another phase. This was the phenomenon of the proliferation of African initiated churches. These African instituted churches remain to date an elaborate illustration of the diverse and at the same time, profound response of Africans to Christianity. The closing years of the Twentieth Century can be said to be experiencing an upsurge of, what within Christian circles, are commonly known as crusades. Evangelistic or proselystic in emphasis, these crusades are an important development in the history of the Church in Kenya. They have become a major expression of Christian activity, demonstrating its vitality. Evidently, the phenomenon of crusades is suffusing many urban areas, with considerably high frequency in some places. In Nairobi, for instance, Uhuru Park, Kamukunji grounds as well as residential estates such as Dandora, Githurai, Huruma, Kibera and Umoja are among the most frequent venues of crusaders. Almost daily, a crusade is taking place somewhere in Nairobi.
    [Show full text]
  • Acts of Belonging: Perceptions of Citizenship Among Queer Turkish Women in Germany
    City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works All Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects 2-2014 Acts of Belonging: Perceptions of Citizenship Among Queer Turkish Women in Germany Ilgin Yorukoglu Graduate Center, City University of New York How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/133 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact: [email protected] ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Acts of Belonging:! Perceptions of Citizenship Among Queer! Turkish Women in Germany ! ! ! ! Ilgin Yorukoglu! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Sociology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, The City University of New York 2014 "i ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! © 2014 ! ILGIN YORUKOGLU! ! All Rights Reserved ! "ii ! This manuscript has been read and accepted for the Graduate Faculty in Sociology in satisfaction ! of the dissertation requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. ! ! ! ! Lynn Chancer ! ! Chair of Examining Committee ! ! ! Phil Kasinitz ! Executive Officer ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Lynn Chancer ! William Kornblum ! Patricia Clough ! Supervisory Committee ! ! The City University of New York "iii ! Abstract ! Acts of Belonging: ! Perceptions of Citizenship Among Queer Turkish Women in Germany ! Ilgin Yorukoglu! ! ! Advisor: Professor Lynn Chancer ! ! This thesis examines how people who have multiple identifications develop a sense of belonging. It focuses on those with politicized, romanticized, and stigmatized identifications which are assumed to be in conflict with one another. My particular case is that of “queer” women of Turkish descent in Germany with Berlin as my main study site.
    [Show full text]