Exploring the role of religion in social reproduction : a case study of the Agape Christian Worship Centre in Pretoria

Abstract

This study explores how young adults at Agape Christian Worship Centre in Pretoria understand the notion of work. A research strategy of participant observation, interviews and focus group discussions were used to study this phenomenon at Agape CWC in Pretoria. The study draws on Antonio Gramsci approach to cultural hegemony and Heidi Hartmann‟s Marxist Feminist theory that link reproduction and production. The study shows that work is defined as a calling amongst my participants. Similarly, despite work being understood as a calling, work is at the same time gendered. In a similar way, religious ideas about work affect the incorporation of young adults into the labour market. In addition, at the centre of Agape CWC teachings is the notion of integrity- a character that is enforced on young adults as a recommended Christian conduct in the church and the workplace. In return, members of Agape CWC understand themselves firstly as Christians then secondly as workers, hence producing the identity of a Christian worker. The religious ideas about work and Christian conduct were ultimately transferred from the church into the workplace; hence this shows that the private space (the church) shapes the functioning of the public space (workplace).