Changing Faith of American Hispanics
George Barna speaks with Vertical Thought managing editor David Treybig after speech May 6.
Ever since I heard Christian pollster George Barna speak in May, I have been following his survey findings more closely. Today I saw this report that challenged some of my perceptions.
Did you know only 44 percent of adult Hispanics in the United States are “aligned with the Catholic church”? While this is still double the 22 percent of all Americans who are Catholics, it is down 25 perentage points from 15 years ago.
Overall, Barna’s research shows that “Hispanics have been rapidly moving toward adopting the mainstream beliefs and practices of all Americans.”
George Barna summarized it this way:
“The research points out several important realities about the faith of Hispanics in America. First, Hispanics are becoming a more mainstream population in various ways–politically, economically, relationally, culturally–and this data reveals that they are assimilating in their faith perspectives and practices, as well. The influence of a dominant culture and its traditions has a powerful affect on people’s lives. While Hispanics have indisputably influenced American culture, these figures remind us that such transformation is a two-way street.
“Second, the study points out how significant faith is in the lives of Hispanics. Not only do most of them assert that importance, but the fact that so much is changing in their faith perspectives and practices underscores how much energy they devote to their spirituality.
“Third, you cannot help but notice the changing relationship between Hispanics and the Catholic church. While many Hispanic immigrants come to the United States with ties to Catholicism, the research shows that many of them eventually connect with a Protestant church. Even more significant is the departure of many second and third generation Hispanics from their Catholic tradition.”
See the full article at http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/284-survey-shows-how-the-faith-of-americas-hispanics-has-changed.
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For years I took care of a Good News magazine stand at a grocery store catering to Hispanics, with a “Nuyorican” owner.
It occurred to me that it might be good to go bilingual with the stand, and offer Spanish-language literature. But the home office told me it doesn’t do that in the USA.
That disappointed me. Other Christian groups are going bilingual in the USA, and gaining members as a result.
By the way, the stand was stolen — so we don’t have a rack there anymore.
Richard
July 7, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Richard, thanks very much for your service and labor of love. I think it was purely an economic decision, like the decision that it wasn’t cost-effective to put magazines on newstands any more. With limited funds, someone has to decide which programs are most cost-effective. I’m sure those must be tough decisions, so I pray every day for those who make such decisions in the United Church of God.
I also pray that God will send more Spanish-speaking ministers to be able to serve those who are being called. God has given us a big job to do, and we can only do it with His help!
ucgmikebennett
July 7, 2009 at 4:07 pm