Pentecostalism in Latin America

• Berger 2003: Pentecostalism in Latin America acts as a ‘functional equivalent’ to Weber’s Protestant Ethic. Pentecostalism has an affinity with modern capitalism as it encourages personal discipline, hard work and abstinence from alcohol. However, Latin America hasn’t excelled (aligned with Weber) due to a lack of natural resources. 
• Lehmann 2002 - two phases in expansion of Pentecostalism: 

  1. Christianity accompanied by colonisation impose on indigenous populations causing the suppression of local religions 
  2. Pentecostalism has spread due to a popular following from below 
• 2020: 195 million Pentecostals in South America 
• Lehmann 2002: Pentecostalism has excelled due to incorporating local traditional beliefs and claiming to give believers access to a greater power. In Africa, this has led to the ‘Africanisation’ of christianity. Ability to adapt to local customs whilst establishing a local identity for itself has led to Pentecostalism excelling.