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a contextual missiology of the spirit - eTheses Repository ...

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Chapter 4<br />

PENTECOSTALISM AND THE RELIGIO-POLITICAL<br />

CONTEXT<br />

In <strong>the</strong> last chapter I described Pentecostalism in Rajasthan. This chapter focuses<br />

on religio-political issues faced by Pentecostals. There are several important<br />

questions that need to be addressed. Firstly, do Pentecostals face any crisis due to<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir minority status? Secondly, is religious intolerance an issue in India today?<br />

Thirdly, how does <strong>the</strong> religio-political nexus affect Pentecostals? In this chapter, I<br />

will explore religio-political issues at a macro and micro level, and examine <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

affect upon Pentecostals. This is not to argue that Pentecostals are <strong>the</strong> only group<br />

that face such issues. Christians in many o<strong>the</strong>r parts <strong>of</strong> India, particularly in <strong>the</strong><br />

north, face similar situations, but it is likely that Pentecostals are particularly<br />

affected. It is necessary to consider <strong>the</strong> external issues involved in a particular<br />

context in order to understand emerging Pentecostal <strong>missiology</strong>, as <strong>the</strong>se issues<br />

have had its impact on <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ology and practice <strong>of</strong> Pentecostals in Rajasthan as<br />

seen in chapter three.<br />

4.1. Pentecostals: A Minority in Rajasthan<br />

Although Hinduism is <strong>the</strong> predominant religion, several o<strong>the</strong>r religions, including<br />

Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Christianity exist in <strong>the</strong> state. There is a<br />

popular notion that all religious groups, apart from Hinduism, are regarded as<br />

minorities in India. However, only five religious communities - Muslims,<br />

Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsees) - have been given <strong>the</strong><br />

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