August 30, 2002
BOISE STATE PROF LOOKS AT
FUNDAMENTALISM IN THE PHILIPPINES
The
values and culture of any group of people are often a direct result of its faith
system. The same holds true in the Philippines, which has been fertile ground
for missionary efforts since Catholic friars first began proselytizing in the
16th century.
That Catholic monopoly began to dissolve in the
early 20th century with the establishment of the Philippine Independent Church,
which opened the door to a new wave of Protestant missionaries. Today,
Protestant fundamentalism plays a huge role in transforming the country’s
long-held traditions of cultural tolerance.
In A Broken Mirror: Protestant Fundamentalism
in the Philippines (New Day Publishers, $18.95, 312 pages), author Shelton
Woods provides an understanding of the social and religious implications of
Protestant fundamentalism through a case study of the area of Vintar, Ilocos
Norte in the Philippines.
The book includes a detailed historical
background of the Ilocos area and provides an in-depth history of the methods
and teachings of Protestant fundamentalist pastors. Based on information found
in archives, oral interviews and hundreds of questionnaires, A Broken Mirror
demonstrates how American Protestant fundamentalism has left an indelible
imprint in the Philippines.
Woods was born in Manila and raised in Baguio
City, where he grew up speaking English, Tagalog and Ilocano. A graduate of
Baguio’s Brent School, he moved to the United States in 1983. An associate
professor of East/Southeast Asian history and associate dean of the College of
Social Sciences and Public Affairs at Boise State University, he received his
Ph.D. in Southeast Asian history from the University of California-Los Angeles.
He currently lives in Boise with his wife, Karen.
For information on purchasing the book, visit http://kabayancentral.com/book/newday/mb1010828.html.
Contact:
Shelton Woods
College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs
(208) 426-3349
Media Contact:
Kathleen Craven
Boise State communications and marketing
(208) 426-3275
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