From Entheogens to Evangelicalism: Spiritual Practices Among Hispanic/Latin Americans
Psychiatric Annals December 1, 2023 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3928/00485713-20231109-01
Summary
Hispanic and Latinx individuals engage in diverse spiritual practices, with Catholicism historically dominant. Recently, there has been a resurgence of Native American and African spiritual traditions alongside the growing popularity of Evangelical Christianity, influenced by the United States. Understanding these spiritual practices requires knowledge of the historical events that shaped these religions and their integration into Latin American culture.
Study at a glance
| Population | Hispanic and Latinx individuals |
|---|---|
| Key finding | There is a wide array of spiritual practices among Hispanic and Latinx people, including a resurgence of Native American and African spirituality and the rise of Evangelical Christianity. |
Abstract
Hispanic and Latinx people practice spirituality in a wide array of forms. Whereas Catholicism has been the dominant religion for centuries, a re-birth of Native American and African spirituality has taken place over the last few decades. In parallel, the influence of the United States in the Latin world is reflected in the rapidly growing popularity of Evangelical Christianity. In order to better understand and study spiritual practices in Latin America, one must understand the historical vicissitudes that led to the formation of these religions and the context in which they became ingrained in these territories. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2023;53(12):545–549.]