Guatemala has become the leading place for conducting researches on religions in Latin America. The predominant religions in Guatemala are Catholicism, Christianity and Mayan spirituality. However, during the colonial era, Catholicism was the main religion. There has been a tremendous growth in the Protestants community. According to the The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, “Pentecostals represent the most rapidly growing sector of Latin American Protestantism”. The other protestant churches which are also popular in Guatemala are the Lutheran, Presbyterian and Anglican. They were established by European immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, Pentecostals represent the most popular and growing sector of Protestantism in Guatemala and Latin America in whole. Religion has played a significant role in shaping Guatemalan culture and gender beliefs. In Guatemala, women see Pentecostal churches as agents of change. The Pentecostal churches empower their female church members, supports them and allow them to play leadership roles in churches. These women reciprocate by bringing new members into the church thereby increasing the growth of the church. While Pentecostalism is a religious …show more content…
Even though it is a religion, it can have been seen as an agent of change. It has had positive impacts on the lives of Guatemalan women. Due to its ideology, it has recognized gender equality and women’s rights. Women converted because of healing, financial support and counselling. Pentecostalism has helped to address issues like health care, marital conflicts, poverty, gender roles and inequality. However, the women also became empowered as they participate in church. This made it easy for them to recruit more people to church and promoting church growth. It has also help transform the men because of its teachings against smoking, drinking and