The Socioeconomic Roles of Religion: The Case of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahetlo Churches in Addis Ababa
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Date
2015-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The primary purpose of this thesis is to desc ibe rhe socioeconomic roles of religion wilh a
particular reference to Ethiopian Orthodox Churches in Addis Ababa. Having the
epistemological stance of construct ivislll, thl's research is condllcred lIsing rhe theoretical
perspective of interpritivism. The researcher adopts a phenomenological methodology and
mainly emphasizing on inteJpreting the data obtained from respondents. In relation to the data
collection methods, key informant interviews, locus group discussion (FGDs), observations and
informal conversations have been used. By using sllch methods. this research answers fOllr basic
que slions in relation to the main objective, First, it describes about the understanding of
Orthodox Christians towards religiosity and its present condition in Addis Ababa. With respect
10 this, findings suggest that Orthodox Christians understand religiosity in ways that are linked
to religious knowledge and practice in general, and they understand religiosity in terms of
church allendance , religious adherence, religious services and occl/parion, private religious
devotion s, and religiolls donations in particular. Second, this research describes the role of
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churches (EOTCs) in the provision of social support. Findings
reveal that Churches provide three kinds of support: emotional support, provision of food, and
provision of clothes. Third, this thesis explains aboUl the Church's role in affecting the nalllre of
social and interpersonal relationships of its followers. Accordingly, this research finds that
EOTCs plays both positive and negative roles on the interactions of individuals. It promotes
intera ction between its fol/owers, and, on the other hand, it has a negative impact on the
relationship between Orthodox Christians and followers of other religion. Finally, an attempt
has been made to describe Ihe Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churches in the provision of
health care services. In fhis regard. the Church uses ;ts spiritual practices as a means of
providing health care services to laWes. Tsebel, Qeba Qidus and Emnet are among the spiri/ual
practices which are used as a means of delil'ering health care services in the city. Of those
spiritual practices, n'ebel is the most widely lIsed mode of healings in the Ethiopian Orthodox
Tewahedo Churches.
From the findings of this research, ;t is possible to conclude that religion ;s an inherently a
social phenomenon, and it has many effects on the socioeconomic life of a certain community. If
so, this kind of researches on the socioeconomic aspects of religion will playa great role i/1
providing vital information for policy makerJ: and administrators to lise religiolls organizations
as a working partner in implementing their social and economic policies. N!oreover, this study
adds knowledge by bringing 10 light the socio -e conomic roles of EOTCs in Addis Ababa.
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Keywords
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahetlo Churches in Addis Ababa