Homies and Hermanos: God and Gangs in Central America
"A courageous scholar, Brenneman has undertaken extensive interviews with former members of some of Central America's most lethal street gangs who have converted to evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity...This well-written book reveals much about the appeal of contemporary evangelical churches. It also provides a terrifying picture of an impoverished and exceptionally violent setting." -The Christian Century"The the book is a remarkable study, rigorous in its methodology, thorough in its scope, and penetrating in its insights. As a bonus, it's accessible without dumbing-down and learned without getting wonky." -Rudy Nelson,Books & Culture"A fascinating window into how street-tough gangbangers abandon the vida loca for evangelical Christianity, trading one set of identity markers, community, and mores for another.Homies and Hermanosdescribes how religious conversion provides Central Americanpandilleroswith one of the only ways to leave gang life that does not end in the morgue. Beautifully written and compellingly told!"--Virginia Garrard-Burnett, author ofTerror in the Land of the Holy Spirit: Guatemala under General Efraín Ríos Montt, 1982-1983"Brenneman provides a new twist in the gang literature: the surprising parallels between emotional rituals and public display of symbols in both the violent gangs and evangelical churches of Central America. These are the poles of attraction in a market for emotional energy, allowing ex-gang members an escape from membership-to-the-death if they show genuine conversion that the gang respects. In this ritual economy, only one powerful ritual can substitute for another. Brenneman's time-oriented, processual approach advances both theory and practice."-- Randall Collins, author ofViolence: AMicro-Sociological Theory"Brenneman draws on interviews with former gang members from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras who left gang life for evangelical Christianity."--The Chronicle Review"This is an outstanding book that is well researched and provides a serious and dignified treatment to the religious lives of Central Americans living on the fringes of their societies."--Sociology of Religion"An outstanding book that is well researched and provides a serious and dignified treatmentto the religious lives of Central Americans living on the fringes of their societies."--Sociology of Religion"Shines a light on a side of evangelical Christianity in Latin America that is rarely seen in scholarly literature: gang ministry, gang exit, and gang member conversions to evangelical, and especially Pentecostal, faith...Brenneman's book ought to be the first stop for serious researchers interested in this intersection of topics."--Religious Studies Review