This book critically examine how Latinos(as) engage in defining their identity, which in turn affects how their religious beliefs and expressions are created and constructed.

The Latina/o population in the United States has become the largest minority group in the nation. Latinas/os are a mosaic of people, representing different nationalities and religions as well as different levels of education and income. This edited volume uses a multidisciplinary approach to document how Latinas and Latinos have changed and continue to change the face of America. It also includes critical methodological and theoretical information related to the study of the Latino/a population in the United States.

A multidisciplinary collection of essays examining the influence of Mexican American religion on Mexican American literature, art, politics, and popular culture.

Pundits and commentators are constantly striving to understand the political behavior of Latinos—the largest minority in the United States and a key voting block. As Catherine E. Wilson makes clear in The Politics of Latino Faith, not only are Latinos a religious community, but their religious institutions, in particular faith-based organizations, inform daily life and politics in Latino communities to a considerable degree. Timely and discerning, The Politics of Latino Faith is a unique scholarly work that addresses this increasingly powerful political force. As Wilson shows, Latino religious institutions, whether congregations or faith-based organizations, have long played a significant role in the often poor and urban communities where Latinos live. Concentrating on urban areas in the South Bronx, Philadelphia, and Chicago, she provides a systematic look at the spiritual, social, and cultural influence Latino faith-based organizations have provided in American life. Wilson offers keen insight into how pivotal religious identity is in understanding Latino social and political involvement in the United States. She also shows the importance of understanding the theological underpinnings at work in these organizations in order to predict their political influences.

"The authors articulate the fundamental principles and perspectives with which Hispanics from different faith traditions do theology. They show who Latino/as are and how their various cultures have been shaped by historical movements such as colonialism and Christian mission."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This encyclopedia is the first comprehensive survey of Hispanic American religiosity, contextualizing the roles of Latino and Latina Americans within U.S. religious culture. Spanning two volumes, Hispanic American Religious Cultures encompasses the full diversity of faiths and spiritual beliefs practiced among Hispanic Americans. It is the first comprehensive work to provide historic contexts for the many religious identities expressed among Hispanic Americans. The entries of this encyclopedia cover a range of spiritual affiliations, including Christian religious expressions, world faiths, and indigenous practices. Coverage includes historical development, current practices, and key individuals, while additional essays look at issues across various traditions. By examining the distinctive Hispanic interpretations of religious traditions, Hispanic American Religious Cultures explores the history of Latino and Latina Americans and the impact of living in the United States on their culture.

Latino/a Theology The one-volume Companion to Latino/a Theology presents a systematic survey of the past, present and future of Latino/a theology, introducing readers to this significant US theological movement. Contributors to the Companion include many established scholars of the highest caliber, together with some new and exciting voices within the various theological disciplines. A mixture of Catholic, Protestant, and Evangelical scholars, they discuss the publications and contributions of theologians who reflect from, and participate in, the faith and realities of US Latino/a communities. Providing unparalleled breadth and depth in the discussion of the key issues, each chapter begins with a summary of the theological publications and thought within Latino/a theology, and then proceeds to develop a constructive contribution on the topic. This invaluable and unique Companion, edited by one of the foremost Latino theologians currently working and writing in the field, is fully ecumenical, comprehensive, and wholly representative of the wide range of ecclesial and theological traditions. It will become both an important resource for scholars and an unparalleled introduction to the entire discipline.