Conversion of a continent : contemporary religious change in Latin America / edited by Timothy J. Steigenga and Edward L. Cleary.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Steigenga, Timothy J., 1965-

Cleary, Edward L.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Conversion--Latin America.

Conversion.

Latin America--Religion.

Latin America.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (298 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Brunswick, N.J. : Rutgers University Press, c2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

A massive religious transformation has unfolded over the past forty years in Latin America and the Caribbean. In a region where the Catholic Church could once claim a near monopoly of adherents, religious pluralism has fundamentally altered the social and religious landscape. Conversion of a Continent brings together twelve original essays that document and explore competing explanations for how and why conversion has occurred. Contributors draw on various insights from social movement theory to religious studies to help outline its impact on national attitudes and activities, gender relations, identity politics, and reverse waves of missions from Latin America aimed at the American immigrant community. Unlike other studies on religious conversion, this volume pays close attention to who converts, under what circumstances, the meaning of conversion to the individual, and how the change affects converts' beliefs and actions. The thematic focus makes this volume important to students and scholars in both religious studies and Latin American studies.

Contents:

Front matter

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

PART ONE. Approaches to Conversion

1. Understanding Conversion in the Americas / Steigenga, Timothy J. / Cleary, Edward L.

2. Analyzing Conversion in Latin America / Frigerio, Alejandro

3. Conversion Careers in Latin America / Gooren, Henri

4. Specialized Spirits / Chesnut, Andrew

5. Relational Analysis of Religious Conversion and Social Change / Smilde, David

PART TWO. Conversion to What?

6. Conversion from Afro-Brazilian Religions to Neo-Pentecostalism / Birman, Patricia

7. Conversion to Afro-Brazilian Religions in Buenos Aires / Carozzi, Marí A Julia

8. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal / Cleary, Edward L.

9. Conversion to Native Spirituality in the Andes / Corr, Rachel

PART THREE. The Implications of Conversion

10. Indigenous Conversion to Catholicism / Kovic, Christine

11. Stop Suffering? / Garrard-Burnett, Virginia

12. Healing the Nation / Wightman, Jill M.

13. The Politics of Pentecostalized Religion / Steigenga, Timothy J.

CONTRIBUTORS

INDEX

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-281-31659-8

9786611316594

0-8135-4402-5

OCLC:

437208961