DESTROYING THE DESTROYER OF YOUR DESTINY The Role(s)

362 Pages·2011·1.98 MB·English

DESTROYING THE DESTROYER OF YOUR DESTINY
The Role(s) of Pentecostalism in Post-War Liberia

Gwendolyn K. Heaner
Thesis submitted for the degree of PhD in the Study of Religions

2011

Department of the Study of Religions
The School of Oriental and African Studies
University of London
Declaration for PhD thesis
I have read and understood regulation 17.9 of the Regulations for students of the
School of Oriental and African Studies concerning plagiarism. I undertake that all
the material presented for examination is my own work and has not been written
for me, in whole or in part, by any other person. I also undertake that any
quotation or paraphrase from the published or unpublished work of another person
has been duly acknowledged in the work which I present for examination.

Signed: Date: 18 February 2011
ABSTRACT

This thesis is concerned primarily with the socio-political role of Pentecostalism in
Liberia. This thesis carefully examines the massive growth of Pentecostal churches
within the unique post-conflict setting of nearly total social, economic, educational
and political collapse in Liberia. A number of arguments have been made by scholars
to try to elucidate the socio-political role of Pentecostalism in different contexts. This
thesis will evaluate to what extent the Pentecostalism plays any of these roles, and
what additional roles it might play.
I argue that the most important aspect to consider in evaluating these roles is that
Liberian Pentecostals think about, articulate and act upon all types of this-worldly
problems that Liberians are faced with – individual, familial, social and national – in
spiritual terms. Amidst the huge variation in churches the common underlying
emphasis is that the devil must be defeated and the Holy Spirit embraced in order for
problems to be overcome and progress to be made. This attention to spiritually-based
solutions for solving this-worldly problems, situated within a clearly dualistic
framework provides Liberians with a language in which they can make sense of and
talk about these problems, in addition to providing spiritual activities which enable
them to feel that they are active in addressing these problems. While these problems
are rarely effectively solved; Pentecostals maintain their beliefs and find new
explanations and methods of solving their enduring problems. This spiritual idioms
used are never constant and even sometimes contradict one another, but they are
always practical. A case study of the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission
will demonstrate this point in addition to providing examples of what the socio-
political implications of Pentecostal spiritual worldviews can be.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................... 9
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 11

CHAPTER ONE
Literature Review

1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 16
1.2 Why religion matters ...................................................................................... 18
1.3 Pentecostalism in Africa – Background .......................................................... 21
1.3.1 Personal transformation and conversion ................................................ 23
1.3.2 Problem-solving and success ................................................................. 23
1.3.2.1 Prosperity gospel ............................................................................ 24
1.3.2.2 Spiritual warfare ............................................................................. 25
1.4 Explicit political and social engagement ......................................................... 27
1.4.1 The church as civil society ..................................................................... 27
1.4.2 Spiritualising Politics ............................................................................. 29
1.5 Doctrines are reforming people and culture ................................................... 33
1.5.1 Personal transformations ....................................................................... 33
1.5.2 Democracy ............................................................................................. 33
1.5.3 Neo-liberal capitalism ............................................................................ 35
1.6 Pentecostal spiritual idioms: making sense of and actively addressing this-
worldly events ......................................................................................................... 37
1.6.1 Providing people with routes towards clarity and order ......................... 38
1.6.2 Increased evil – why? ............................................................................. 41
1.6.3 Making sense of and trying to address this rampant evil......................... 45
1.6.4 The Pentecostal method for understanding and controlling evil ............. 47
1.6.5 Measuring implicit political and social engagement ............................... 50

CHAPTER TWO
The research

2.1 Questions .......................................................................................................... 54
2.2 The research ..................................................................................................... 54
2.3 Introduction of case-studies ............................................................................ 57
2.3.1 Winners’ Chapel .................................................................................... 57
2.3.2 Sinkor United Pentecostal Church (SUPC) ............................................ 61
2.3.3 CEPC/CHRISEM ................................................................................... 63
2.4 Methodology ................................................................................................... 66
2.4.1 Planning fieldwork ...................................................................................... 66
2.4.2 Gaining access ............................................................................................ 67

CHAPTER THREE
Liberia: The social, political and religious context

3.1 The Post-colonial African State ...................................................................... 70
3.1.1 Western ideas of progress and how to get there ...................................... 70
3.1.2 Conflict and peace ................................................................................. 74
3.2 Transitional Justice ........................................................................................ 77
3.2.1 International and Domestic Trials .......................................................... 77
3.2.2 Traditional Courts ................................................................................. 79
3.2.3 The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ............................................. 80
3.3 Thematic debates about peacebuilding ........................................................... 81
3.3.1 Retribution, rule of law, ending impunity ............................................... 82
3.3.2 Social repair – National Reconciliation ................................................. 85
3.3.3 Personal reconciliation .......................................................................... 88
3.3.4 Unintended consequences ...................................................................... 90
3.4 Discussion ....................................................................................................... 92
3.4.1 The West vs. 'local' ................................................................................. 92
3.5 Liberia - Social and political background ....................................................... 96
3.5.1 History ................................................................................................... 96
3.5.2 The wars ................................................................................................ 97
3.5.3 The Damage......................................................................................... 100
3.6 Transitional justice in Liberia ....................................................................... 101
3.7 Religious background ................................................................................... 105
3.7.1 Demography ........................................................................................ 105
3.7.2 Traditional beliefs - Poro and Sande .................................................... 108

CHAPTER FOUR
The general role of Pentecostalism in Liberia
4.1 General Pentecostal framework .................................................................... 110
4.2.1 Before Conversion .................................................................................... 111
4.2.2 Conscious agent of Satan ..................................................................... 112
4.2.3 Traditional religion and cultural practices ........................................... 112
4.2.4 Islam .................................................................................................... 114
4.2.5 Mainline and ‘Other’ Nominal Christianity .......................................... 114
4.2.6 Signboard Pentecostals; Lukewarm Pentecostals ................................. 115
4.3 The Born-again Transformation(s) .............................................................. 116
4.3.2 Winners’ Chapel .................................................................................. 117
4.3.3 SUPC ................................................................................................... 118
4.3.4 CEPC/CHRISEM ................................................................................. 119
4.4 The ideal born-again lifestyle ....................................................................... 120
4.4.2 Ideals ................................................................................................... 121
4.4.3 Changes – Testimony ........................................................................... 124
4.5 Solving problems ........................................................................................... 127
4.5.2 Victory, breakthrough and success ....................................................... 128
4.5.3 Motivational and Inspirational Performance ........................................ 131
4.5.4 Specific victories .................................................................................. 134
4.6 Problem solving ............................................................................................ 135
4.6.2 Satanic attacks ..................................................................................... 135
4.6.2.1 Personal problems ........................................................................ 135
4.6.2.2 Public problems ............................................................................ 144
4.6.3 Punishment from God .......................................................................... 147
4.6.3.1 Personal problems ........................................................................ 147
4.6.3.2 National problems ........................................................................ 149
4.6.4 God’s plan for your life ........................................................................ 150
4.7 Solving Problems .......................................................................................... 152
4.8 The general role of Pentecostalism in Liberia ........................................ 155

CHAPTER FIVE
A practical worldview

5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 161
5.2 Unimportant theology ................................................................................... 162
5.2.1 Pentecostal leaders’ alternative teachings and understandings ............ 162
5.2.2 Pentecostal members’ understanding ................................................... 163
5.3 Personal transformation? ............................................................................. 166
5.3.1 Transgressions ..................................................................................... 166
5.3.1.1 Sexual immorality ......................................................................... 168
5.3.1.2 Treating others badly .................................................................... 171
5.3.2 More faith is better............................................................................... 174
5.3.3 Acknowledging Confusion .................................................................... 176
5.3.4 Spiritual explanations for transgressions ............................................. 178
5.3.4.1 Sexual immorality ......................................................................... 179
5.3.4.2 Inappropriate social activities ....................................................... 180
5.3.4.3 Dishonesty and deceit ................................................................... 181
5.3.4.4 Treating others badly .................................................................... 182
5.3.4.5 Skipping church ............................................................................ 183
5.3.4.6 Not doing God’s will ..................................................................... 184
5.4 Solving problems? ......................................................................................... 186
5.4.1 Multiple solutions ................................................................................ 187
5.4.1.1 Individual prayer and declarations of dominion ............................ 189
5.4.1.2 Intercessory prayer against demons .............................................. 191
5.4.1.3 Deliverance .................................................................................. 194
5.4.1.4 The CEPC/CHRISEM Deliverance Clinic ..................................... 198
5.4.2 Solving problems caused by God .......................................................... 204
5.4.2.1 Avoiding punishment ..................................................................... 204
5.4.2.2 Accepting God’s plan .................................................................... 208
5.4.3 Winning souls ...................................................................................... 209
5.5 Spiritual confusion ....................................................................................... 211
5.5.1 Admitting confusion ............................................................................. 211
5.5.2 Differences between churches .............................................................. 214
5.5.3 The practicality of confusion ................................................................ 216
5.6 Conclusion .................................................................................................... 220
CHAPTER SIX
Case study: Pentecostals and transitional justice

6.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................220
6.2 Popular Perceptions of Liberian Transitional Justice – The TRC ................ 224
6.2.1 Liberian perceptions of the TRC – Not strictly Pentecostal ................... 225
6.2.1.1 Misinformation ............................................................................. 225
6.2.1.2 General opinions – Uninterested, negative, positive? .................... 226
6.2.2 What is a better way to peace and reconciliation? ................................ 232
6.2.2.1 Vague or circular responses.......................................................... 232
6.2.2.2 Informed, academic ...................................................................... 233
6.2.2.3 Spirit idioms ................................................................................. 234
6.3 Pentecostal perceptions of the TRC .............................................................. 236
6.3.1 Explicitly.............................................................................................. 236
6.3.1.1 General opinions – uninterested, negative, positive? ..................... 236
6.3.1.2 Personal transformation of perpetrators ....................................... 239
6.3.1.3 Opening old wounds – reigniting tension ...................................... 240
6.3.1.4 ‘I tell these things to God, not man’ .............................................. 241
6.3.1.5 Punishment will help nothing ........................................................ 241
6.3.1.6 (Recommending) punishment is dangerous.................................... 242
6.3.1.7 God will work through the TRC to do His will ............................... 243
6.3.2 Opinions about major perpetrators ...................................................... 245
6.3.2.1 Joshua Milton Blahyi – General Butt Naked.................................. 245
6.3.2.2 Prince Yormie Johnson ................................................................. 253
6.3.2.3 Charles Taylor .............................................................................. 259
6.3.3 Flexibility............................................................................................. 263
6.4 Non-reconciliation and spiritual disorder ..................................................... 264
6.4.1 Peace on what grounds? ...................................................................... 265
6.4.1.1 Non-forgiveness ............................................................................ 265
6.4.1.2 Some are transformed; others are pretending ............................... 266
6.5 Discussion ..................................................................................................... 268
6.5.1 Spiritually legitimate and practical contradictions ............................... 268
6.6 Conclusion .................................................................................................... 269
CHAPTER SEVEN

7.1 Alternative Method for Peacebuilding .......................................................... 272
7.1.1 Personal reconciliation ........................................................................ 274
7.1.2 National Reconciliation ....................................................................... 277
7.1.3 Reintegration of perpetrators ............................................................... 280
7.1.4 Catharsis of story-telling ...................................................................... 285
7.1.5 Forward-looking .................................................................................. 291
7.2 The Power of Pentecostalism ........................................................................ 293
7.3 Religion and peacebuilding........................................................................... 300
7.4 The limitations of Pentecostalism for peacebuilding .................................... 302
7.5 Conclusion .................................................................................................... 303

CHAPTER EIGHT
Conclusion

8.1 The Debates Revisited ................................................................................... 304

BIBLIOGRAPHY
........................... .................................................................................................... 311

APPENDICES

1. Pastor/ Church official/Organizational Heads Extended Interviews ......... 323
2. Long Interviews and Surveys With Random Informants ........................... 326
3. Short Interviews and Surveys With Random Informants ........................... 335
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I thank the many Liberians I met for their willingness to include me in their
activities and to take the time to answer my questions. In particular, I thank Reverend
Christian Dagadu and his wife Reverend Precious Dagadu, Deacon Albert Butler,
Pastor Jesse Beyan, Pastor Alfred Wonsieh and Sister Georgia of CEPC; Reverend
Stephen Benda and Sister Margaret of SUPC; Pastor Olaife Solomon and Pastor Nya
Martins of Winners‟ Chapel; Pastor Martin Richards of New Creation World
Outreach Church; Pastor Alvin Yekeson of Pentecostal Apostolic World Outreach
Ministries. I thank my research assistant and good friend, Edwin „Moses‟ Chea for his
hard work and support, particularly when I was out of the country and needed follow-
up interviews or information. I thank The Liberian Council of Churches and the
Interreligious Council of Liberia for providing me with contacts and information; in
particular I thank Reverend St. John York for his guidance and knowledge. I thank
Joshua Blahyi for his willingness to be interviewed. I also thank Thomas Flomo,
Emmanuel Kallon, Nowah, Sediki, Alieu, Dolo, Mustafa, Watkins, and Richard for
their friendship and assistance. I thank the Liberian Studies Association for inviting
me to present papers at conferences in Liberia and Philadelphia; in particular I thank
Mary Moran, John Yoder, John Gay, Amos Sawyer and Jeanette Carter for their
comments on my presentations and discussions surrounding my thesis during these
conferences.
I thank Amy Kirkwood-Albert, Amanda Leese and Adam Kybird for their support
and feedback during fieldwork in Liberia; I thank my friends and particularly my
roommates for their support during the writing-up period; I thank my good friend
Rachel Unkovic for her comments on early drafts. I thank my PhD colleagues Greg
9