Religion in Latin America

Overview

These carefully selected documents on the religions of Latin America begin with the arrival of Columbus and the existence and shape of indigenous religions at the time. This documentary History of nearly six hundred years includes Catholicism, Protestantism, Pentecostalism, Candomblé and Umbanda, Judaism, and the religions indigenous to Latin America.

The selection of documents underscores the realities of imperialism, racism, poverty, and injustice. Introductory material precedes each of the twenty-two divisions and each selection to give readers a historical perspective.

Lee M. Penyak is an associate professor ofHistory and the director of Latin American Studies at the University of Scranton.

Walter J. Petry, professor emeritus at Fairfield University in Connecticut, was a professor ofHistory and a director of Latin American and Caribbean Studies and Black Studies.