ABSTRACT
Within Christianity scholars discern a split between two broad groups variously defined as 'conservatives', 'orthodox', 'traditionalists', on the one hand, and 'liberals', 'progressives', 'radicals', on the other. The 'conservative' label is superior to 'evangelical' or 'orthodox' since it is sufficiently broad to embrace a number of diverse movements and denominations within Christianity. The largest group within conservative Christianity is evangelicalism. The fastest growing elements of modern Christianity are the Pentecostals and the Charismatics. Charismatics are believers who adopt a Pentecostal style of worship but remain in their own Catholic or Protestant churches. The defining characteristics-deference to authority, moral absolutism, anti-modernist stance and so on-which single out the conservative Christian (CC), can embrace Roman Catholics as well. Conservative Christians respect the state and consider it important to be exemplary law-abiding citizens. The Maori world view emphasizes the primacy of nature and the need for man to tread carefully when interfering with natural laws, and processes.
