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Biblical vision of material goods; that we examine the motivations that move us in all that is related to the economic aspect of human existence\u2019 (1997: 145).\u000A6. Democracy and inclusiveness\u000AThe emergence of the Evangelicals in the last century helped to break the hegemonic power of the Catholic Church and promoted the ideas of the progress and freedom of worship. For Jose Casanova, the \u2018religious freedom\u2019 in the sense of \u2018freedom of conscience\u2019 is chronologically \u2018the first liberty as much as precondition of all liberties (1994: 40).157 From this perspective the freedom of worship conceded to the Protestants resulted in strengthening of the democratic process. The NPCs see themselves within this legal framework and they promote along with the other Evangelical churches the idea of freedom of conscience observed in some declarations of faith. They contribute to strengthen the democratic process through the following actions.\u000AThe first contribution is the freedom of worship. Church goers have free access to the gifts of the Spirit. They are not the property of the leadership; they are available to all. The laity has the freedom to exert leadership, despite the autocratic profile shown by some of their pastors. The universal priesthood of believers fosters the participation of the laity. This freedom of being part of a team opens spaces that can then be transferred to secular society. Although the members of the Evangelical churches give priority to issues of a more spiritual character, their ecclesiastical leadership becomes a tool to overcome the day to day challenges and to serve en private or State entities.\u000ASecond, women have a place, opportunities, and recognition that promote their person, role, and leadership. As observed in Chapter five, both men and women affirmed that women have intrinsic rights because they were created in the image and likeness of God. This fact is the basis for the treatment and place they try to afford to women. Freston\u000A157 Casanova in his analysis about the public and private role of religious institutions affirms that often these resist accepting their marginal role assigned in the private sphere, and seek to assume public important roles. He underscores that the Christian church can enter the public sphere and assumes a public form only if they accept the inviolable right to privacy, and the inviolable principles of freedom of conscience (1994: 41, 57- 58).\u000A 341\u000A


































































































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