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The growth and diversity of Latino Protestants in America
Author(s) -
Ramos Aida I.,
Martí Gerardo,
Mulder Mark T.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
religion compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.113
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 1749-8171
DOI - 10.1111/rec3.12268
Subject(s) - protestantism , worship , outreach , diversity (politics) , ethnic group , identity (music) , gender studies , representation (politics) , race (biology) , psychology , sociology , religious studies , social psychology , political science , anthropology , art , law , philosophy , aesthetics , politics
Abstract Latino Protestants in America are growing—fast. More and more Latinos identify as Protestant, Latino Protestant churches are spreading, and Latino Protestant parachurch organizations are broadening their representation and outreach. We synthesize the latest research on Latino Protestants in the United States in relation to history, sociodemographics, conversion, and race/ethnic identity formation. We argue that Latino Protestants are far from monolithic. In fact, Latino Protestant congregation express and experience diversity in their worship, liturgy, theology, identities, and resources. We argue against ethnoracial essentialization , that is, boiling down nuances of Latino Protestant identity in favor of idealized conclusions often in the form of racial/ethnic stereotypes. Recent empirical research does not support often‐cited assessments of Latino Protestants and their churches as “fiestas” with “spicy” worship. Instead, we urge scholars to avoid such front‐loaded, racialized assumptions and exercise their social scientific expertise in using better theory and more careful observation to achieve a more textured understanding of Latino Protestants and their churches.