Ethics & Religion
Column #1,990
October 3, 2019
Faith & Values of Hispanic Americans
By Mike McManus
It is Hispanic Heritage Month - an excellent time to consider the lives
of Hispanics in America, who are the nation's largest ethnic minority
group. This culturally diverse group has roots in a variety of
countries, most hailing from Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba, among others.
There are 58.9 million Hispanics - 18% of the U.S. population.
Pollster George Barna has identified key elements that strongly
characterize the Hispanic community. First, they share a "deep
connection to family, a concern for social justice and a firm belief in
faith practices."
According to the Census Bureau, three in four Hispanics are part of a
household with other family members (as opposed to roommates, domestic
partners or living alone). In fact, nearly one in five Hispanics live in
a home with nine or more people - a much higher percentage than any
other ethnic group.
Hispanic Americans who are practicing Christians boast vibrant
households in other ways, with 71% sharing dinner together, 49% praying
and more than a third talking about their faith or God. In fact, over
half of Hispanic Christians share "unique or special Christian religious
traditions that they learned from their family."
What's more, Hispanic Christians open their homes and lives to
non-family. In fact, 82% confirm having people in their life "who are so
close they feel like family," Barna reports. More than half also
frequently welcome regular visitors into their home.
In fact, most Hispanics say their home atmosphere feels loving and
comfortable - safe, joyful and peaceful.
Hispanics also take pride in their strong work ethic - which is second
to their family commitment. One in five reported that their work ethic
was "the single most important way that the Hispanic community adds to
American society."
Hispanic Christians note that "providing for my family" and "having
enough money to meet my own obligations and needs" are their ultimate
financial goals in life. Three-quarters say they feel "made for" or
"called to" their current work.
In fact, most are aware of the gifts and talents that God has given
them, which they want to use "for the good of others."
After Trump's election in 2016 Barna asked the general population
whether the U.S. was headed "in the right direction or the wrong
direction." Three-quarters of Hispanics asserted America was going in
"the wrong direction."
In fact, most Hispanic adults in America believe that "minorities
(non-white races) have experienced undeserved hardship," with one in
four answering "always." Another 30% said this is "usually" the case.
Almost none feel this is "rarely or never" true.
Most Hispanics are "very concerned" about immigration. They disagree
that "the U.S. allows too many immigrants into the country" and almost
three-quarters feel that "American should welcome refugees during a
crisis."
Interestingly, 85% of Americans agree that "people from different
cultures enrich America." However, the political discourse on this topic
has only become more volatile in recent years - with current immigration
regulations affecting citizens from especially Latin and South American
nations who are seeking asylum within U.S. borders.
What about the faith of Hispanics?
Though only three in 10 Hispanic Americans read the Bible outside of a
religious service, 56% agree that the Bible is totally accurate in all
of its teachings. Church attendance among Hispanics is dropping - as it
is among other Americans. In 2003, Barna found that 42% of Hispanics
attended a church service in the last week, but that dropped to 30% in
2018.
A third of Americans teenagers identify themselves as atheist or
agnostics - as do a third of Hispanics. In fact, Hispanic teens are more
likely than other ethnic groups in their generation to have a negative
view of Christianity, noting that they "have a hard time believing that
a good God would allow so much evil or suffering in the world," and that
"there are too many injustices in the history of Christianity."
Barna asserts, "Despite being brought up in a culture that values the
practice of religion, the younger generation of Hispanic Americans are
not as certain as their elders. They are either searching for
authenticity within Christianity - a faith that addresses family,
justice, work and other concerns and priorities of the community - or
are opting out of it entirely."
We Americans have much to learn from Hispanics!
__________________________
Copyright (c) 2019 Michael J. McManus, President of Marriage Savers and
a syndicated columnist. To read past columns, go to
www.ethicsandreligion.com. Hit
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