Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-1993

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Political Science

Major Professor

Robert L. Peterson

Committee Members

T. Alexander Smith, Robert B. Cunningham, Thomas D. Ungs, Yulan M. Washburn

Abstract

This research investigates the political attitudes and activities of Protestant Evangelical Christians in Mexico; it also compares the data on Mexico with information on other Latin American Evangelicals so that the points about Mexico are made clearer. The goal was to identify the reasons for the Mexican Evangelicals' lack of political involvement and their apolitical attitudes. The author conducted a literature review both in the United States and in Mexico, interviewed participants in the Mexican Evangelical community, and attended several meetings and social functions held by the subjects. The study produced several findings. First, Mexican Evangelicals have not been involved in politics because they are constrained by several factors: history has taught them that involvement carries a high cost; Mexico's unique and semi-authoritarian political system closes the political arena to all but officially-approved groups; Mexican laws have traditionally barred religious persons and groups from effectively influencing society; the Roman Catholic Church and other societal actors such as the news media have persecuted Evangelicals violently and swayed public opinion against them, respectively; and finally, the Mexican Evangelicals' own doctrinal views have discouraged them from involvement, especially over the last 70 years. Second, the study found that in the last four to five years in Mexico, the attitudes and behaviors of Mexican Evangelicals have changed dramatically, as has their legal status. Constitutional reform and bolder, more politically-minded church leaders have produced what appears to be a nascent political awakening among this religious community. As some constraints are removed or weakened, social scientists may expect greater political involvement on the part of this traditionally withdrawn religious community. In sum, Mexican Evangelicals may be following the lead of other Latin American and U.S. Evangelicals by entering the political arena.

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