Liberation Theology in the Philippines

by Nadeau, Kathleen M.

• ISBN13: 9780275971984
• ISBN10: 0275971988
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-10-30
• Publisher: Praeger Pub Text

Summary

Liberation Theology in the Philippines: Faith in a Revolution studies the interrelationship of international development policies and local social and economic structures in the Philippines. This ethnography demonstrates that the application of conventional development paradigms to the situation overlooks the human suffering and displacement experienced by the people for whom the policies are supposed to help. By contrast, the Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) movement offers an alternative strategy for development that aims to build a more just and community-oriented society, while promoting sustainable development. The study begins with an historical analysis of the relationship between liberation theology, the Catholic Church, and the nationalist struggle. The remaining chapters look at the real experiences of people living and working in the BECs, as they struggle against some of the negative impacts of traditional approaches to development. In addition, the author illustrates how BECs can fail when environmental and social factors clash with a community's attempts at development, and highlights the theology and religious aspects of the BEC movement. This unique contribution to the study of liberation theology and development will be of interest to scholars, students, and professionals working with development agencies and religious organizations.

Author Biography

KATHLEEN M. NADEAU is an assistant professor and applied anthropology coordinator at California State University in San Bernardino.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
John A. Larkin
Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction: The People's Church	xiii
PART I: ROOTS OF RESISTANCE THEOLOGY	1	(28)
Peasant Resistance and Religious Protests in Early Philippine Society: Turning Friars against the Grain	3	(14)
American Colonization (1898-1946) and Repression of Organized Movements: Continuing the Revolution	17	(12)
PART II: LIBERATION AND DEVELOPMENT	29	(44)
Cebu's Basic Ecclesial Community Movement's Alternative Plan for Sustainable Development	31	(6)
The Illusion of ``Catching-Up Development'' in Cebu	37	(8)
Struggle in the Uplands: Christian Farmers in Cebu	45	(16)
Beyond the Dumping Ground: A Critique of the BEC Model as a Strategy for Development in an Urban Site	61	(12)
PART III: REVOLUTIONARY THEOLOGY AND MARXISM	73	(32)
Rethinking Marxism and Philippine Theology of Struggle	75	(18)
Conclusion: Participatory Development from the Grassroots	93	(8)
Epilogue: Human Rights for the Poor	101	(4)
Appendix A: ``My Life Experiences and Story about Smokey Mountain''	105	(6)
Dennis P. Constantino
Appendix B: Interviews with Christian Political Detainees in Cebu	111	(6)
Bibliography	117	(10)
Index	127