2014-11-12-皮尤-Religion_in_Latin_America_310页_2mb

Summary of "Religion in Latin America" (Pew Research Center, 2014)

Core Content

This report by the Pew Research Center provides an in-depth analysis of religious affiliations, beliefs, and practices across 18 Latin American countries and Puerto Rico, based on over 30,000 face-to-face interviews conducted between October 2013 and February 2014. It highlights the widespread shift from Catholicism to Protestantism and the growing influence of Pentecostalism in the region.

Main Findings

• Catholic Population Decline:
  Latin America is home to over 425 million Catholics, which accounts for nearly 40% of the world’s Catholic population. However, the percentage of adults identifying as Catholic has dropped to 69%, down from over 90% in the 20th century.

  • Religious Switching: In nearly every country, the Catholic Church has experienced net losses due to conversions to evangelical Protestant churches or rejection of organized religion.
  • Protestant Growth: Protestants now make up 19% of the region's adult population, with significant growth in countries like Nicaragua, Uruguay, and Brazil.
  • Unaffiliated Population: The unaffiliated population (those with no religious affiliation) has grown from 4% to 8% across the region.

• Reasons for Leaving Catholicism:
  The most common reasons cited by former Catholics who have converted to Protestantism include:

  • Seeking a more personal connection with God (81%)
  • Enjoying the style of worship in new churches (69%)
  • Wanting a greater emphasis on morality (60%)
  • Believing the new church helps its members more (59%)
  • Outreach by the new church (58%)
  • Personal problems (20%)
  • Seeking a better financial future (14%)
  • Marriage to a non-Catholic (9%)

• Protestant Identity and Practices:

  • Protestants in Latin America are more likely to be religiously observant than Catholics.
  • A regional median of 83% of Protestants attend church at least once a month, compared to 62% of Catholics.
  • Protestants are more likely to read scripture outside of services, take a literal approach to the Bible, and believe in the imminent return of Jesus.
  • Pentecostalism's Influence: Most Protestants in the region (median of 65%) identify with Pentecostal churches or practices, which emphasize "gifts of the Holy Spirit" such as divine healing, speaking in tongues, and prophesying.
  • In several countries, a majority of Protestants have witnessed or experienced these practices, while fewer Catholics report similar experiences.

• Social Attitudes and Values:

  • Catholic vs. Protestant Views:
    • Catholics tend to be less conservative than Protestants on social issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and alcohol consumption.
    • Protestants are more likely to believe in the importance of morality and to support the idea of bringing the poor to Christ.
    • Catholics are more inclined to emphasize charity work for the poor.
  • Charismatic Practices:
    • A significant percentage of Catholics also engage in charismatic practices, especially in Central America and the Caribbean.
    • In countries like the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Paraguay, over half of Catholics report witnessing these practices during Mass.

• Demographic Patterns:

  • Age of Conversion: Pluralities of Catholic-to-Protestant converts left the faith before the age of 25.
  • Education and Migration:
    • In some countries, converts to Protestantism are less likely to have a secondary education than current Catholics.
    • In Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua, converts are more likely to have moved residences than current Catholics.

• Pope Francis and the Catholic Church:

  • Pope Francis has been well-received by current Catholics, seen as a major change for the church.
  • Former Catholics, however, are more skeptical, with only Argentina and Uruguay showing majority favorable views.
  • Many former Catholics say it is too soon to form an opinion about the pope.

• Comparison with U.S. Hispanics:

  • U.S. Hispanics share similar patterns of religious switching, with many leaving Catholicism for Protestantism.
  • U.S. Hispanics are more likely to be unaffiliated with any religion (18%) than Latin American adults (8%).
  • The U.S. Hispanic population is larger than the populations of most Latin American countries.

Key Information

• Methodology: The survey was conducted in Spanish, Portuguese, and Guarani, covering 18 countries and Puerto Rico.
• Scope: The report is part of the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project, which analyzes religious change and its societal impact.
• Funding: The project is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John Templeton Foundation.
• Exclusions: Cuba was not included in the survey due to fieldwork constraints and sensitivities around religious polling.

Regional Overview

Conclusion

The report underscores a significant religious transformation in Latin America, marked by the decline of Catholicism and the rise of Protestantism, particularly Pentecostalism. It also highlights the diversity of religious beliefs and practices, including the prevalence of Afro-Caribbean and indigenous traditions. The influence of Pope Francis on the Catholic Church's image is noted, though it has not yet reversed the trend of declining Catholic identity. The survey provides a comprehensive view of religious change and its impact on social attitudes, practices, and demographics.