Munetsi Ruzivo, University of Zimbabwe, Department of
Religious studies, Harare, Zimbabwe.
E-mail:
ruzivo9_99@yahoo.com
Abstract
African Initiated Churches and the Politics of Replacement
In the period 1998-2001 Zimbabwe witnessed a spate of farm invasions that was followed by the loss of life. Mainline churches condemned the invasions as unplanned and the government responded by branding Mainline churches as allies of imperialists. Main line Church leaders were seen as a band of Jeremiahs band on tarnishing the image of government. Suddenly, white robbed apostles and pastors of new religious Churches appeared. Why this sudden shift from a relation of partners in development to foes? Why did the ruling party in the period leading to the elections 1998-2001 prefer African Initiated Churches and not main line churches with links abroad. These are the issues that this papers is concerned with. The Question of church and state relations in Zimbabwe is a complex one that would require the use of both primary and secondary sources.
The outline of my paper will be as follows:
- Church and state relations after independence and the marginalisation of
African Initiated churches
- Church and state relations during the period of farm invasions and elections
- The recognition of African Initiated Churches and the politics of replacement
- Future prospects of the alliance between African Initiated Churches and the
ruling party.
- Conclusion