Religious Topoi and South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Authors: Vorster, Johannes N.; Botha, Pieter J.J.

Source: Religion and Theology, Volume 6, Number 3, 1999 , pp. 325-349(25)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

The role of religious language in the activities of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is analysed in this study. The (Christian) religious rhetoric is a limiting factor with regard to the possibilities and/or contribution of the TRC by fashioning a dichotomising discourse and terminology. It also imposes constraints, visible in the TRC's dealings with concepts such as truth, responsibility and causation. This discourse is, furthermore, an assistant to a formalistic way of arguing about history and humanity, which problematises the plurality and heterogeneity of our society.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/157430199X00218

Affiliations: 1: Department of New Testament University of South Africa P O Box 392, Pretoria, 0003 Republic of South Africa

Publication date: 1999-01-01