The war of gods : religion and politics in Latin America / Michael Löwy.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Löwy, Michael, 1938-

Series:

Critical studies in Latin American and Iberian cultures

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Liberation theology.

Church and state--Latin America.

Church and state.

Religion and politics.

Latin America.

Church and social problems--Latin America.

Church and social problems.

Religion and politics--Latin America.

Physical Description:

163 pages ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Verso, 1996.

Summary:

The War of Gods traces the intimate relationship between religion, politics and social issues in Latin America over the last three decades, as liberation theology has reinterpreted the vocation of the Catholic Church and as Protestantism has made inroads on traditional Catholic strongholds. In the 1960s liberation theology addressed itself to the problems of a continent racked by poverty and oppression. Comprising a network of localized communities and pastoral organizations, it soon became something much more than a doctrinal current. Liberationist Christianity defined itself in a multitude of social struggles, particularly in Brazil and Central America. Many of the most momentous events in the continent's recent history - the Nicaraguan revolution, the development of the PT (Workers' Party) in Brazil, the tortuous ascent of President Aristide in Haiti and the uprising in Chiapas - have borne witness to the influence of a distinctive liberationist Christianity. Michael Lowy proposes here a new interpretation - inspired by the sociology of culture - both of liberation theology and of the rival religious projects in Latin America.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 141-153) and index.

ISBN:

1859849075

1859840027

OCLC:

34410570