From Entheogens to Evangelicalism: Spiritual Practices Among Hispanic/Latin Americans

Spirituality among Hispanic and Latinx people takes many forms. While Catholicism has been dominant for centuries, Native American and African spiritual traditions have experienced a revival in recent decades. At the same time, Evangelical Christianity is rapidly growing in popularity across Latin America, reflecting the influence of the United States. To properly study these spiritual practices, researchers must understand the historical changes that shaped these religions and the context in which they became established in the region.

Study at a glance

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.]