Shaun Kenney | Politics and Religion in Virginia's Public Square

Catholic Latin America: A Turning Point?
- comment James Atticus Bowden
  
  body
  
  FYI, if trends continue, ceteris paribus, then over half of Latin America will be Protestant - mainly Pentacostal - in less than 10 years.
  
  I don't know at what rate the secular Left is growing in Latin Am. I'd sure like to see the numbers.
  
  Demographics are destiny. Ideas motivate humankind. Ideas change cultures. And cultures command.
- comment James Atticus Bowden
  
  body
  
  One other thought. LA has an opportunity to unleash the miracle of capitalism, but some countries have given up too fast, like Venezuela and Bolivia, and gone back to socialim.
  
  A big problem with capitalism taking off, has been the cultural barrier of 500 years of oligarchy.
  
  It's like the Russian tradition of 1000 years of autocracy. Presents a challenge to transformation.
- comment Shaun Kenney
  
  body
  
  And yet some nations such as Brazil, Argentina, and Chile have some of the more free markets in the world. In fact, for German settlers during the turn of the 20th century, it was quite a decision as to whether or not to emigrate to America or Argentina.
  
  Same with Lebanese expatriates.
  
  73% of Latin America identifies itself as Catholic, while only 13% identify themselves as Protestant. And while the number of churches is growing amongst Protestants, the number or worshipers is mellowing out significantly.
  
  Frankly, it's the 16% that refused to answer Catholic or Protestant that I am most concerned about...
- comment James Atticus Bowden
  
  body
  
  Thanks for the numbers.
  
  FYI, Factoid that shows that economic laws are enforced...
  
  By almost every single statistical measure Argentina and the US had the same standard of living, per capita, in 1950. You name the stat and it was close.
  
  Look what happens when you apply socialism and when you do capitalism - more or less.
  
  Also, the Milton Friedman,RIP, advised the Chileans. They are doing well. I have a first cousin who went there on one year teaching tour over 30 years ago and never came home - except for visits.


Wednesday, December 06, 2006 Catholic Latin America: A Turning Point? Dr. Samuel Gregg of the Acton Institute talks about the upcoming CELAM meeting: Few realize it, but May 2007 could be a decisive moment for Catholic Latin America. In the midst of a region paralyzed by endless political and economic crises, Latin America’s Catholic bishops will meet in Brazil for the Fifth General Conference of Latin American and Caribbean Bishops (CELAM) to consider the profound challenges confronting the area. The importance attached to this event by the whole Catholic world is evident from the fact that Pope Benedict XVI will be attending. Top of the list of considerations will be the rise of leftism and their employment of the old vestiges of liberation theology in their rhetoric. Liberation theology, for those unfamiliar with the term, is summarized as "Jesus at the barrel of a gun." My need is my justice. That sort of thing. It smacks of proportionalism, Marxism, gnostic ideas of charity, messianism, and all sorts of really distorted ideas about Christianity. This conference could very well be a turning point for how Latin America Catholics confront the rising sentiment from the secular left. And unlike Europe, the Church is thriving in Latin America. That the CELAM will be attended by Pope Benedict XVI himself is a pretty strong signal the pseudo-Marxists in Latin America have their days numbered. posted by Shaun Kenney \| 12/06/2006 06:00:00 PM \| 4 comments 4 Comments: At 9:25 PM, James Atticus Bowden said... FYI, if trends continue, ceteris paribus, then over half of Latin America will be Protestant - mainly Pentacostal - in less than 10 years. I don't know at what rate the secular Left is growing in Latin Am. I'd sure like to see the numbers. Demographics are destiny. Ideas motivate humankind. Ideas change cultures. And cultures command. At 10:21 PM, James Atticus Bowden said... One other thought. LA has an opportunity to unleash the miracle of capitalism, but some countries have given up too fast, like Venezuela and Bolivia, and gone back to socialim. A big problem with capitalism taking off, has been the cultural barrier of 500 years of oligarchy. It's like the Russian tradition of 1000 years of autocracy. Presents a challenge to transformation. At 10:30 PM, Shaun Kenney said... And yet some nations such as Brazil, Argentina, and Chile have some of the more free markets in the world. In fact, for German settlers during the turn of the 20th century, it was quite a decision as to whether or not to emigrate to America or Argentina. Same with Lebanese expatriates. 73% of Latin America identifies itself as Catholic, while only 13% identify themselves as Protestant. And while the number of churches is growing amongst Protestants, the number or worshipers is mellowing out significantly. Frankly, it's the 16% that refused to answer Catholic or Protestant that I am most concerned about... At 11:27 AM, James Atticus Bowden said... Thanks for the numbers. FYI, Factoid that shows that economic laws are enforced... By almost every single statistical measure Argentina and the US had the same standard of living, per capita, in 1950. You name the stat and it was close. Look what happens when you apply socialism and when you do capitalism - more or less. Also, the Milton Friedman,RIP, advised the Chileans. They are doing well. I have a first cousin who went there on one year teaching tour over 30 years ago and never came home - except for visits. Post a Comment Home
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