American International Journal of Contemporary Research Vol. 3 No. 4; April 2013 89 Pentecostalism and the Culture of Fear in Contemporary African Communities: A Paradigm Shift Ezenweke, Elizabeth Onyii, PhD. Department of Religion & Human Relations Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Abstract This paper examines the shifting dynamics from reference to God, to terror and fear in Nigerian socio-religious scenario as a typified African context. Typically, Africans are referred to be a highly religious society, which is typified in the multi-religious nature of modern African system. However, the influx of Pentecostalism in the recent past is fuelling strong emphasis on negative consequences of default in religious obligations. This is further exacerbated by the predominant African traditional religious beliefs on angry gods that kills at the slightest provocations. Consequently, the Christian God is now abstracted in the African gods; hence most misfortunes are interpreted as punishment from God hence, fear, horror and terror in every corner of life. This has far reaching consequences on the conduct of social relations and is having manifold implications on man interpretation of God. This paper therefore examines how this prevailing orthodoxy is fashioning typical Africa’s relation to God and even the social institutions. After arguing for possible dysfunctional implications of the evolving phenomenon, the paper recommends some strategic choices that would hopefully correct the observed anomaly. Introduction The term “religion: has attracted various and diversified notions from a wide range of interest. This has resulted in a wide range of definitions and concepts. This observed state of affairs may be directed to the elusive nature of the subject matter of religion. Humanity from its earliest history, continually search for God and other cosmic powers to whom man depended on. This has hitherto, opened many pathways, each in search of a purer relationship with the super sensible and supernatural beings. Etymologically, religion is derived from latin word “religionem” which literally refers to respect for what is sacred or reverence to God or for the gods. For Geertz Clifford, religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Religion is often used with reference to worship. Worship is another word that a multiplicity of meanings but the chain word in any definition of worship is love, a reverent love through devotion and adoration. Thus, religion should reflect the mutual relationship between man and cosmic forces. However, in recent time, it has been observed that religion cum the practice of religion has shifted from reverence to God to fear and terror and from adoration to pacification. This is evident in the Pentecostal emphasis on bondage as a result of sin of commission and omission which is further fuelled by Nigerian home video that has filled the whole social scenario with films confirming wrath of God or gods as the causative of misfortune, illness and poverty. The observed anomaly has far reaching consequences on the conduct of social relations and is having manifold implications on man interpretation of God. However, not much if any research has been directed on the prevailing orthodoxy which insinuated the present study. This paper therefore examines the implication of this shift in typical Africa’s interpretation of God and social relations to follow man. It further recommends some strategic choices that would hopefully correct the observed anomaly. The subject matter of this paper is therefore, discussed under the following sub-headings: 1. Man and Divinity. 2. Pentecostalism, Nigerian home Video and the culture of bondage.