What do the former interim president of Bolivia, Jeanine Áñez, the former president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, and the former president of the United States, Donald Trump, have in common? All of them have received the support of evangelical sectors to reach or remain in power. In recent years, mentions of God and biblical passages seem to have multiplied in political speeches, and evangelical support was instrumental in the rise and fall of leaders as diverse as Evo Morales (Bolivia), Andrés Manuel López Obrador (México) and Luis Lacalle Pou (Uruguay).
“Evangelicals have achieved an important political presence in Latin America, but they are not a homogeneous or monolithic block,” said Argentine sociologist Fortunato Mallimaci, who has published several books and articles on the subject.
To understand this growing influence of religion in the countries of the continent, it is necessary to analyze some factors that explain how evangelical churches have managed to gain so much weight in Latin American politics.
Ideological cohesion among evangelicals facilitates political connections. Latin American evangelicals share a conservative and traditionalist vision on issues such as family, morality, economy, and culture. This allows them to form alliances with other social or political groups that share their values or interests.
The practices of evangelical churches are more “consistent” with aspects of Latin American culture. Evangelical traditions tend to be simpler and more direct than Catholic traditions, which facilitates their adaptation to the cultural and linguistic realities of the continent. In addition, many evangelicals identify with popular or folkloric expressions that reflect their faith.
According to data from the Pew Research Center, 34% of Latin American adults identify themselves as evangelical or Protestant Christians, which represents a significant increase from decades ago. In addition, this sector has experienced accelerated economic growth in some countries such as Brazil and Mexico, which has allowed it to increase its spending power and electoral capacity.
Many countries on the continent are experiencing a situation of political and institutional crisis, marked by corruption, violence, poverty and inequality. This generates a climate of distrust towards traditional elites and moderate or progressive political forces. On the other hand, it also generates a climate of discontent towards radical or authoritarian elites and populist or nationalist political forces.
In many Latin American countries there is an emerging social class of liberal professionals educated in modern, international cities. This social class tends to have a more open vision of the globalized world and western values. However, they also feel dissatisfied with the current political system and seek more representative and inclusive options.
These factors have contributed to create a favorable scenario for the emergence and consolidation of political power based on evangelical support in Latin America.
“There is a great diversity of denominations, doctrines, practices and political projects in Latin America. Some are more moderate and dialoguing, others are more radical and confrontational. Some seek greater citizen participation and social justice; others seek greater moral imposition and religious submission. Some are allied with the popular and progressive sectors; others are allied with the conservative and neoliberal sectors. What they do have in common is a strong conviction that their faith should influence public life and political decision-making,” Mallimaci said.
However, this influence is neither homogeneous nor static. There are differences between different evangelical groups according to their ethnic or cultural origin; between different countries according to their history or situation; between different leaders according to their charisma or strategy; between different voters according to their preferences or expectations.
Additionally, this influence also faces both internal and external challenges and resistance. On the one hand, there are sectors within the evangelical movement itself that question its moralistic or dogmatic leadership; that call for greater theological or cultural diversity; that defend greater democratic or ecumenical participation; that denounce greater religious or political corruption.
On the other hand, there are sectors outside the evangelical movement that reject its political intervention; that criticize its conservative or fundamentalist ideology; and that warn about its negative impact on human rights or culture.
Brazilian political scientist Marcelo Camurça has coordinated several research projects on the subject. He explained that in Latin America many traditional parties are in crisis and distrust of elites is on the rise. This created a political and institutional vacuum for which Evangelicals have taken advantage.
“They have been able to mobilize their faithful and their social networks, offering a political alternative based on the defense of the family, morality, economy and culture,” Camurça said. “They have also been able to adapt to social and cultural changes, incorporating elements of modernity and globalization. However, they have also generated resistance and conflicts, both within and outside their own churches, due to their exclusionary and authoritarian vision of politics and religion.”
The influence of evangelical churches in Latin American politics appears entrenched. Its influence will have long-term consequences in the region.
