Abstract

PARAVIDINI, João Luiz Leitão  and  GONCALVES, Márcio Antônio. Neopentecostalismo: desamparo e condição masoquista. Rev. Mal-Estar Subj. [online]. 2009, vol.9, n.4, pp. 1173-1202. ISSN 1518-6148.

While keeping in mind the transformations which have occurred in hypermodernity, the writer of this article analyzes Neopentecostalism as a religious phenomenon that promotes a relationship between human helplessness and a masochistic condition. The principal characteristics of Pentecostalism are here taken to be; the Theology of Domination which takes into account a permanent war between God and the devil; the Theology of Prosperity and the overcoming of the stereotyped customs and uses of sanctity with their entrepreneurial organization. The anthropology of the neopentecostal churches promotes the idea that people can experience absolute joy and realization if they live out completely their allegiance to God, and if they do, they could become illuminated and capable of realizing all their aspirations. However, given the subjective bad feelings of the believer, the religious discourse of the neopentecostals is confronted with Psychoanalytic Anthropology which parts from the idea of the structural helplessness of the subject. In its efforts to discount the helplessness of the human being, Neopentecostalism can be seen to promote practices of servitude and submissiveness to others. In his efforts to overcome his helpless condition, the believer binds himself to others in their voluntary servile practices and devotionality. Submissiveness is the price which has to be paid by the masochist who aspires to a feeling of security.

Keywords : neopentecostalism; helplessness; masochism; submissiveness; hypermodernity.

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