Roma/Gypsy Churches (Renewalist and other religious movements among Roma) as religious, social and cultural innovation Panel convenor: Tatiana Zachar Podolinská, Institute of Ethnology and Social Anthropology Slovak Academy of Sciences, tatiana.podolinska@savba.sk. Abstract of the panel content and purpose: movements) represent one of the fastest-growing segments of global Christianity. These movements approached Roma in Europe already at the beginning of the 20 th century, but the rapid growth is observed especially in the last few decades. This Panel would like to consider the phenomenon of “Roma/Gypsy Churches” in broader perspective. When considering the mission among Roma in dynamic perspective, we should pay attention also to societies and churches that originated as non-Pentecostal, Baptist, for example, and then become Pentecostal or Apostolic Christian Church. There are Roma churches accepting baptism in the Holy Spirit, but they are not of Pentecostal background. We should also keep in mind that in some geographic regions, where the Pentecostal Church is perceived already as traditional for the majority, the Gypsies may seek alternative religious societies in which to participate. In addition, Renewalism or Pentecostalism, although they are considered to be a sort of general umbrella terms, have very different local socially and culturally rooted understandings and implications. qualitative and no comparative studies on the religious, political and civic views of Roma involved in these groups, not to speak about ‘softer’ characteristics of the impact of religious change on the life trajectories and everyday strategies of a considerable part of the Roma believers affiliated in Roma/Gypsy Churches currently living or moving across the Globe. The existing research suggests that the “Renewalist type of conversion” may serve as a vehicle of social and cultural innovation among Roma. This hypothesis, however, needs to be elaborated and tested from the comparative and dynamic perspective on the transnational level. The aim of the panel is to bring some new perspectives into the current research and open discussion on religious movements among Roma as (1) religious, (2) social and (3) cultural innovation. Besides the summarizing the state of-the-art the Panel should bring some innovative perspectives and should come out of qualitative researches focused on (for example): (a) concept of ‘New Roma’ (rejection of and reference to ‘Old Roma’ within the trans-social, trans-ethnic and trans-national pastoral discourse and its operationalization in converts´ narratives, (b) conversion and its relation to vertical and horizontal social mobility, (c) architecture of social networks and forms of social capital; (d) conversion and its relation to spatial mobility (migration and re-migration) of Roma, etc. area to contribute to our prearranged GLS 2019 panel. When considering, please beware the original deadline for abstract submissions is a close one, the 28th of February, 2019. With any queries regarding the panel, feel free to contact the main convenor. If you would like to contribute, please send the title of your contribution to the convenor of the Panel (tatiana.podolinska@savba.sk) ASAP. words including references) indicating the name of the pre-arranged panel in which they participate by the February 28, 2019 to the address 2019gls@gmail.com. |
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