Religion in Latin American History and Modernity Research Paper

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Latin America is a large geographic theory that includes 26 countries. They occupy part of North America and South America, having a diverse culture, traditions, and religions. The most common denominations are based on the historical past when these territories were Spanish and Portuguese colonies. Thus, the main part of the population of Latin America professes Catholicism, but there are other religions, albeit with a smaller amount.

The history of religion in Latin America is diverse, ranging from the paganism of the Indian tribes to modern Christianity. Before European colonizers came to Latin American lands, paganism was widespread among the population (Orique et al., 2020). Thus, the Aztec tribes had approximately a thousand deities, and moreover, rituals and sacrifices were widespread. The gods of the elements, life, and death, heaven, and hell, creators and healers, stood out. Temple buildings were built in the cities, in which various ceremonies and rituals were held. Among the Incas, the main deity was the Sun, as a symbol of harvest and life. The worship of totems was widespread, and each community had its own object of worship.

In addition, special attention was paid to the gods of war, as the tribes constantly faced either internal or external enemies. The warriors who appeared on the battlefield were given special funeral rites. A common tradition was to honor the memory of the deceased with a variety of gifts, including gold and jewelry. It is worth noting that such objects often became targets for pirates as a way of earning money. However, in the event of clashes with the Indians, the actions were brutal, as it was of significant value to the local tribes.

Nevertheless, these traditions remained in history, and the situation has changed dramatically. Today the leading denomination in Latin America is Christianity, approximately 90%, and Roman Catholicism formulates the major part (Orique et al., 2020). In Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Brazil, the popularity of Protestantism is increasing, especially among the middle class (Orique et al., 2020). However, the historical features of the countries of Latin America have formulated some features of local Catholicism. This is a mixture of ancient traditions and culture and the influence of the modern ideologies of this denomination.

Some African cults are intertwined with the Catholic religion, especially in Brazil and the Caribbean. Thus, the main feature is the conduct of Catholic rites when worshiping African deities (Orique et al., 2020). On the altars in the church, one can notice both African deities and Christian saints. In some countries, the cult of the dead and the sacrifice of animals are also common. Due to various indigenous holidays and traditions, tourists have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of the 15th-16th centuries partially. It is also part of the tourism business, whereby tourists can see shamans and shamanic or pagan rituals. It is also worth noting that Argentina has the most developed Jewish and Muslim communities, in addition, one can notice the practitioners of Judaism, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Buddhism, and Islam.

To conclude, the most popular denomination in Latin America is Christianity, namely Roman Catholicism. However, it has its own characteristics in terms of historical-cultural foundations, which are mixed with modern ideas and traditions. The main reason for deviating from the pagan course was European influence, especially during the times of Spanish and Portuguese colonialism. Finally, the preserved historical traditions and rituals make it possible for one to plunge into the times of the Aztecs and Incas and look at shamanic and early pagan rites.

Reference

Orique, D. T., Behrens, S. F., & Garrard, V. (2020). The Oxford handbook of Latin American Christianity. Oxford University Press.

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IvyPanda. 2023. "Religion in Latin American History and Modernity." April 11, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/religion-in-latin-american-history-and-modernity/.

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