Anthropomorphisation of God, the 2018 presidential election outcome and political change in Zimbabwe
When societies are faced with socio-economic and political challenges, religion plays a crucial role in shaping citizens’ perceptions and attitudes pertaining to interactions between political dynamics and supernatural beings. Anthropomorphism, a distinct religio-political phenomenon that emerged in...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Africajournals
2020-05-01
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| Series: | Pharos Journal of Theology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_21_vol_101__2020__zimbabwe-dut.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818206936827428864 |
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| author | Norman Chivasa |
| author_facet | Norman Chivasa |
| author_sort | Norman Chivasa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | When societies are faced with socio-economic and political challenges, religion plays a crucial role in shaping citizens’ perceptions and attitudes pertaining to interactions between political dynamics and supernatural beings. Anthropomorphism, a distinct religio-political phenomenon that emerged in Zimbabwe as a result of the 2018 general election, has received limited
academic attention. It has been treated as a marginal phenomenon without due consideration
to its impact on citizens’ aspirations. This treatment of anthropomorphism has obscured its significance, as it is situational. Drawing from three political prophesies that circulated on the WhatsApp platform and YouTube in the run-up to and the aftermath of the 2018 elections, this
study posited that anthropomorphism can lead to people being disinclined to take responsibility for their own well-being, even amidst political systems perceived as unjust. It shapes individual perceptions, preferences and patterns of participation, encouraging or
discouraging collective action for political change. The study concluded that in 2018 anthropomorphism in Zimbabwe had a dual role; first it ascertained what is going on in the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans and their aspirations and second, it relinquished the
responsibility to God to act in favor of the poor and the powerless. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T04:20:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-38138358ef3e4988ac38b059666bba5b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2414-3324 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T04:20:57Z |
| publishDate | 2020-05-01 |
| publisher | Africajournals |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharos Journal of Theology |
| spelling | doaj.art-38138358ef3e4988ac38b059666bba5b2022-12-22T00:38:19ZengAfricajournalsPharos Journal of Theology2414-33242020-05-01101Anthropomorphisation of God, the 2018 presidential election outcome and political change in ZimbabweNorman Chivasa0Research Fellow, Durban University of Technology, South Africa & University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe International Centre of Nonviolence ML Sultan Campus Durban University of TechnologyWhen societies are faced with socio-economic and political challenges, religion plays a crucial role in shaping citizens’ perceptions and attitudes pertaining to interactions between political dynamics and supernatural beings. Anthropomorphism, a distinct religio-political phenomenon that emerged in Zimbabwe as a result of the 2018 general election, has received limited academic attention. It has been treated as a marginal phenomenon without due consideration to its impact on citizens’ aspirations. This treatment of anthropomorphism has obscured its significance, as it is situational. Drawing from three political prophesies that circulated on the WhatsApp platform and YouTube in the run-up to and the aftermath of the 2018 elections, this study posited that anthropomorphism can lead to people being disinclined to take responsibility for their own well-being, even amidst political systems perceived as unjust. It shapes individual perceptions, preferences and patterns of participation, encouraging or discouraging collective action for political change. The study concluded that in 2018 anthropomorphism in Zimbabwe had a dual role; first it ascertained what is going on in the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans and their aspirations and second, it relinquished the responsibility to God to act in favor of the poor and the powerless.https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_21_vol_101__2020__zimbabwe-dut.pdfanthropomorphismelectionsgodpolitical changezimbabwe |
| spellingShingle | Norman Chivasa Anthropomorphisation of God, the 2018 presidential election outcome and political change in Zimbabwe Pharos Journal of Theology anthropomorphism elections god political change zimbabwe |
| title | Anthropomorphisation of God, the 2018 presidential election outcome and political change in Zimbabwe |
| title_full | Anthropomorphisation of God, the 2018 presidential election outcome and political change in Zimbabwe |
| title_fullStr | Anthropomorphisation of God, the 2018 presidential election outcome and political change in Zimbabwe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anthropomorphisation of God, the 2018 presidential election outcome and political change in Zimbabwe |
| title_short | Anthropomorphisation of God, the 2018 presidential election outcome and political change in Zimbabwe |
| title_sort | anthropomorphisation of god the 2018 presidential election outcome and political change in zimbabwe |
| topic | anthropomorphism elections god political change zimbabwe |
| url | https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_21_vol_101__2020__zimbabwe-dut.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT normanchivasa anthropomorphisationofgodthe2018presidentialelectionoutcomeandpoliticalchangeinzimbabwe |