Forbes- The Forces Reshaping Christianity Around the World

[catbert836]

The forces reshaping Christianity come with many names.

In Nigeria, the Mountain of Fire and Miracles congregation holds huge all-night revivals. Across Asia, the True Jesus Church preaches biblical interpretations that include shunning Christmas as a pagan-tainted holiday. In Brazil, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God says rewards - spiritual and material - may await those who give to its fast-expanding empire.

Such ways of worship that challenge the dominance of Christianity's mainline denominations on every continent will be high on the agenda this week as envoys from the faith's main branches gather in Brazil for their most ambitious conference in eight years.
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The World Council of Churches hopes to leave its assembly in Porto Alegre, starting Tuesday and running through Feb. 23, with a clearer vision of how to address the sharp growth of Pentecostal, charismatic and evangelical groups around the globe.

The head of the council, the Rev. Samuel Kobia, will urge delegates to fully recognize the spiritual shifts and begin serious dialogue with Pentecostal and other groups, who have often regarded the WCC as a threat to their independence, fundraising methods and animated worship style.

"We need a fresh look at global Christianity," Kobia told The Associated Press from the WCC headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. "I will also call on Pentecostals, charismatic and others to approach us in an open mind and not with the hostility of history that has led to suspicion."

Still, it's the WCC that needs to reach out. The core of its nearly 350-church membership - the mainline Protestant denominations and Orthodox churches - have felt the full force of the rise of Pentecostal and other movements.

More- http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/02/12/ap2519348.html

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Ok, here's the thing, I think there is a direct correlation between how

scientifically advanced a culture is (and how wealthy it is) to how mystical they are in their religious beliefs. So we're seeing a real growth in conservative evangelical churches in nations that are just now gaining ground in technology and industry. In nations like ours you will note the most adamant conservative believers have to all but out and out reject science in order to hold on to their beliefs. So at some point those 3rd and 2nd world nations that are gung ho conservative evangelical will loosen up on those beliefs as science, education, and income improves among the everyday people. If those things do not improve, or if they have leaders that convince them to reject science, then they will remain gung ho conservative.