|
|
|
|
|
« Return
|
|
Study finds 'generational' shift to Protestantism among Hispanics
2002-120-6
5/14/2002
|
[Episcopal News Service]
A major new study has found that while a strong majority of Latinos in the United States are Roman Catholic, there has been a generational shift to Protestantism. But the study also found that Hispanic Catholics and Protestants shared many of the same views on public issues.
According to the study, 'Hispanic Churches in American Public Life,' the number of Protestants in the American Hispanic population increased from 18 percent to 32 percent across three generations while the number of Catholics declined from 74 to 59 percent over the same period. Overall, 71 percent of Hispanics are Catholic.
The three-year study was funded by a $1.3 million grant from the Pew Charitable Trust and overseen by a group of predominantly Hispanic scholars from major American universities. Researchers said it had a margin of error of 1.1 percent.
Some Hispanic members of the audience attending the May 3-4 conference in Washington, DC, at which the report was released attributed the shift to aggressive outreach efforts by Protestant churches and more opportunities for youth involvement.
Despite the shifts, however, Hispanic Catholics and Protestants share similar views on issues such as education, the public role of the church and the role of women in the church. Most Protestants and Catholics who were asked about prayer in schools said they support such a policy. In a separate question, a large number of respondents from both groups voiced support for school vouchers to be used at private schools.
Fifty-six percent of Protestants and 49 percent of Catholics surveyed agreed women should be ordained into the ministry. Additionally, at least half of the respondents surveyed from both groups said the church should be more involved in public life. In other findings, the study found 94 percent of Latinos identify themselves as Christian and 45 percent said they attend religious services once a week or more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
