Date of Award
2009
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Submission Date
October 2026
Abstract
There are several competing theoretical explanations for why Pentecostal Protestantism is growing rapidly in Latin America including affinities with the indigenous religions of the region, a recent increase in the supply of Pentecostalism due to missionary movements, a reduction in government regulation of religion, social anomie theory, and the pull of economic upward mobility through conversion. This study analyses the growth of Pentecostal Protestantism in the case of Mexico, utilizing state by state comparative data measuring these variables. While higher percentages of indigenous residents are correlated significantly with Pentecostal growth, government regulation and supply are less so. Social anomie and economic upward mobility are not conducive to studying in minute detail but on a larger scale seem to serve as broad explanations for Pentecostal growth. Theories explaining Pentecostal growth should be revised to reflect these convergent factors and focus on the reasons for the divergent growth patterns.
Recommended Citation
Hoogkamp, Amanda., "Analyzing the growth of Protestantism" (2009). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2003 - 2009. 122.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors_1/122
Extent
vii, 46 p. : ill.
Identifier
781444395
Comments
by Amanda Hoogkamp.