History 307 – History of Latin America – September 24 2003

The Church in Latin America: Jack Pizzey, “South American Journey”

 

1.        Chasteen argues that the past remains incredibly powerful in Latin America.  Intuitions and events dating back 500 years continue to play a huge rule in Latin American life.  Review now:  what events from the 1500s & 1600s still influence, in your opinion, contemporary life?  (Be specific!).

 

2.       The Catholic Church of course played a huge rule, and continues to play a huge role, in Latin American life.  We’ve described the Catholic Church in the 1500s and 1600s as a “Baroque” church.   What exactly does that mean?  How does this specifically “baroque” view of the world shape Latin American culture?

 

3.       We mentioned that in a way there were “two Catholic churches” in the New World.  What were they?  Why do you think each developed?

 

4.       One huge issue is the relationship between “Hegemony” and “Trans-culturation.”  Which to you think is a better concept to use when talking about religion in Latin America?  Which do you think Chasteen prefers?  How about Pizzey?

 

5.       Make a list now of some of the recurring themes in the Pizzey video.  Here are a few we’ve already mentioned:

 

·         The Church sided with the Conquistadores – yet also was bitterly critical of them.

·         Native peoples were forced into Christianity even though they had little idea what Christianity was all about.

·         Native peoples, for instance, had no particular notion of “guilt” and personal “sin;” they had to learn these concepts from the Europeans.

·         Some Native peoples, today, a skeptical about Christianity; others are deeply committed to it.

·         Christianity, and especially Catholicism, remains emotionally, culturally, and politically, very power even today.

 

 

 

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