The homophobic trinity: Pentecostal end-time, prosperity and healing gospels as contributors to homophobia in Cameroon

This chapter proposes a reorientation of attention towards the role of Pentecostal churches. Given such public statements and the powerful status of the Catholic Church and other mainline churches, research on homophobia in Cameroon has mostly referenced the role of the mainline denominations. The chapter discusses the rise of Pentecostalism in Cameroon, the factors associated with this rise and the increased influence of Pentecostalism within the public sphere. The institutional setting in Cameroon including the legal environment, social norms and cultural values relating to homosexuality is also discussed to contextualise the subsequent analysis of the role of Pentecostalism in the homosexuality debate. Subsequently, three types of Pentecostal gospels' the prosperity, healing and end-time gospels that stand out from the research findings are distinguished and analysed with reference to how they contribute in constructing public views on homosexuality. The chapter contemplates the implications of these three gospels on the prospects for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Cameroon.