3B: Migration Flashcards
Migration
movement of people from one area to another
Immigration
coming into a country
Emigration
exiting a country
Refugee
moves out of necessity ie war or famine
What are some reasons for migration?
- to find better job prospects
- to join family members who have already moved to a different place
- to escape violence/war/persecution
What are some benefits of migration?
- can contribute to cultural diversity
- can allow families to be together
- can benefit economy
- provides opportunity to enrich a population
What are some of the challenges of migration?
- migrants may struggle to adapt to new language/culture
- discrimination/racism/xenophobia
- might cause a strain on resources
In what ways might Christianity be seen as a ‘story of migration’?
- story of Israel’s faith begins with call to Abraham and Sarah to leave their land and make a journey to Canaan
- “you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt”; Leviticus 19:34
- Mary and Joseph were uprooted from their community three times: from Nazareth to Bethlehem, from Bethlehem to Egypt and from Egypt to Galilee
- Parable of the Good Samaritan: kindness and compassion should be extended to migrants, no matter where they come from
What are some of the challenges of Christian migration to the UK?
- tens of thousands of ‘new’ Christians join churches each year; some will attend churches that have long been in Britain that are also in their country of origin but others will join new denominations/independent churches with a significant immigrant population
- this has caused traditional churches to reflect on how effectively they welcome newcomers into their communities
What are some of the particular challenges likely to be faced by Christian migrants when coming to the UK?
- pastoral care: hard for priests to provide care during personal crisis. sometimes an immigrant chaplain is appointed to take responsibility
- difference in worship style: different people have different ways of worshipping, even when an immigrant attends the same denomination in Britain as the one in their native country
- language barriers: can make it hard to teach catechism, confirmation classes and preparation for the sacraments. leaflets in the native language can help
What is the overall challenge?
maintaining a sense of community while simultaneously keeping an openness to the traditions and preferences to those new to the worshipping community
What is meant by Pentecostalism?
a worldwide Christian movement composed of many denominations and independent churches that focus on the experience of the worshipper and gifts of the Spirit of God
How has Pentecostalism spread worldwide?
- massive growth in Africa, Asia and Latin America
- estimated 300-500million Pentecostal Christians
- for the first time, there are probably more Christians in the Southern hemisphere than in the Northern
How has Pentecostalism spread in the UK?
- Pentecostal Churches in the UK from the start of the 20th century but there was a huge growth due to the Windrush generation
What did Daniel Akhazemea say and how far do you agree?
- he says that black majority churches are making up for the decline in Christianity and are filling a religious void, becoming more influential: BMCs as a “source of religious hope in Britain”
- I neither agree or disagree: BMCs have attracted diverse and enthusiastic congregations but they haven’t really done anything to reduce the decline in Christianity, it has just helped make the religion more diverse but has not make Christianity as prominent as it used to be