Secularisation within a 'Christian nation'? A sociological examination of the case of Zambia

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Periodical article

Title:	Secularisation within a 'Christian nation'? A sociological examination of the case of Zambia
Author:	Simuchimba, Melvin
Year:	2005
Periodical:	The Journal of Humanities (Lusaka) (ISSN 1027-7455)
Volume:	5
Pages:	1-18
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Zambia Central Africa
Subjects:	Christianity secularization sociology Church and State liberalism
Abstract:	The author discusses the religious situation in Zambia since the declaration, in 1991, of the country as a Christian nation in the light of the secularization theory. He looks at the question of whether, as a result of the 1991 declaration, religion (or Christianity) has become stronger in Zambian society or whether, despite the declaration, Zambian society has been affected by the secularization process, which most modern societies seem to be going through. He uses four main characteristics of the secularization theory - formal religious practices, denominationalism, loss of ecclesiatical prestige, and encroachment of secularism in private and public life - to show how the theory applies or does not apply to Zambian society, mainly since 1991. The author concludes that, although Christianity in Zambia remains strong partly as a result of the declaration of the country as a Christian nation, the 'Christian nation' status has not insulated Zambian society from the secularization process. Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]