Crucifixes, Virgin Mary statuettes, ornate Spanish-style churches: so many religious images seem permanently linked with Hispanic Americans. But that’s eroding fast, according to pollster George Barna.
In the fourth update on his annual survey of American religion, Barna says this once-reverent group has been attending church and Sunday school less, volunteering less at church, and reading the Bible less over the last 20 years.
And their religious life is fading faster than those of whites and blacks in America, the report adds....
While there is certainly nothing wrong with Hispanics going to church that use their own language and can even have a very good Bible in their own language, La Biblia de las Américas--all too often these churches are either Catholic, off-shoots of a mainline church such as Methodist or Charismatic. We do need to reach out to the hispanic community so they are given the Word of God--and with a proper doctrinal outlook.
Understanding the point the auther is making in this article brings me to my own point that in general, Hispanics aren't looking for a entertainment, they are hungry for truth and a real relationship with Jesus. As a Hispanic man who was raised Catholic, I can say that the majority of Hipanic converts that I know have a deep appreciation of what God has done for them through their new found knowledge and a truely saved life. So I believe God is "seperating the wheat from the tare" and this study is showing the long term effects of "religion vs relationship" in the Hispanic community.
"Crucifixes, Virgin Mary statuettes, ornate Spanish-style churches: so many religious images seem permanently linked with Hispanic Americans"
If these folks are leaving the Roman Catholic idolatries and heresies then so much for the good. Barna apparently noticed that this is not to the benefit of Protestant Churches but mainly a falling away from religion altogether. But all churches have observed reducing congregations in the western nations, so it is no surprise that the Hispanic should do likewise. This is a very trying time for the Christian in many ways. What with smaller attendance levels we are also seeing moral decline in church and nation as well as doctrinal decline in the churches. Signs of the times? Or what is the Lord doing today? Weeding out the nominals?
I don't know if their being Hispanic has as much to do with it as does the fact that many are leaving organized religion in favor of the "Do church on my own terms" approach. What is surprizing many people though, is that even in the Non denominational churches, there are still standards and expectations. With peoples selfish approach to church, some are even leaving the Non Traditional Inovative churches.
Traditional is wrong if it exalts man made tradition over the scripture. But, Inovation is also wrong for exalting the New and Novel over the scripture. People who love the World will seek for a Worldy church.
"The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the Church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them...providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the Church...Charles Spurgeon"
Percilla, yes I do go to Legacy, and I wasn't refering to "charismatic" in the sence of the old timers jumping, hollering and the loud preaching. Just in the sence of believing in the gifts of the Holy Ghost and the spirit of God working in the miraculous.
Carlos, do you attend legacy? I'm also from albuquerque and I do agree with you.. there is a good amount of Hispanics who are very true to their faith and many Catholics converting into Christianity. That is great.. and even though I don't necessarly agree with some of their theological beliefs.. there are many genuine servants of our good Lord that go there
The polls say what they will, I still see far more Hispanics cross themselves in public than I see Whites saying prayers before eating their meals in restaurants in this state. Be it sound faith or not, it's witness is there.
In the southwestern U.S. In states like New Mexico, a large number of Hispanics are converting to non-denominational Christian churches and also becoming charasmatic in thier beliefs. Legacy church in Albuquerque NM is made up of almost 90% ex (Hispanic) Catholics. A large number of these converts are extemely active, bible reading, gospel sharing, spirit filled, true godly men and women who are genuine servents. It would be nice to see how statistics played out in predominately Hispanic populations in the U.S.
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Dr. Alan Cairns | 8/3/2009
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and I do agree with you.. there is a good amount of Hispanics who are very true to their faith and many Catholics converting into Christianity. That is great.. and even though I don't necessarly agree with some of their theological beliefs.. there are many genuine servants of our good Lord that go there 
beaver: "
mike
maybe you'd like to pick a more suitable adjective.
my, my,..."
