Description
The life of the rural farmer in Latin American countries has changed dramatically due to globalization. In Puerto Rico, when the U.S. took control of the country after the Spanish-American War the economy changed drastically. Before that time many people were engaged in small farming practices. They grew a variety of crops for themselves and for local sale. When the Americans arrived, many of the small farms were bought and these farms began to grow only one crop, usually coffee or sugar cane, to sell in the international market (Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute). There are similar cases in many countries that have forced rural farmers to adjust to life in a new context.

More than two-thirds of Hispanics (68%) identify themselves as Roman Catholics. The next largest category, at 15%, is made up of born again or evangelical Protestants. Although their numbers are increasing, the share of Latino(a) evangelical Protestants is smaller than it is in either the white or black communities. About a third of all Catholics in the U.S. are now Latinos(as) (The Pew Forum).

Conversions are a key ingredient in the development of evangelicalism among Latinos(as). Half of Latino(a) evangelicals (51%) are converts, and more than four-fifths of them (43% of Hispanic evangelicals overall) are former Catholics. By contrast, 2006 Pew Forum Global Survey of Pentecostals found that 44% of white evangelicals in the U.S. have changed their religion, and fewer than one-in-ten of them are former Catholics. The desire for a more direct, personal experience of God emerges as by far the most potent motive for these conversions. Aside from denomination, another key measure of religious identity among Latinos(as) is whether they describe themselves as “born again” or “evangelical.” Among Latino(a) Christians, who comprise 99% of Latinos(as) who profess a religious faith, 39% say they use those terms to describe themselves. That includes 28% of Catholics and 70% of non-Catholic Christians (The Pew Forum).

Stories
For Juan Carlos Rivera of Primera Iglesia Evangelica Libre in Los Angeles, he says, “Yes, I consider myself evangelical. The first thing that I believe is that Jesus is the Lord and he is my Savior. This makes me feel that I am an evangelical.” For Juan Carlos, the significant factor in him being an evangelical is the belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Dream
In speaking of the global spread of capitalism, Marta Martinez of Primera Iglesia Evangelica said that she doesn't want to adopt the American dream, meaning capitalistic American success. She stated that she wants to identify herself with being an American while maintaining her own cultural identity. This is often the tension Christians have when come from another place to the United States.

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References