The Indian face of God in Latin America
By: Manuel M. Marzal ... [et al.] ; translated by Penelope R. Hall ; [foreword by Robert J. Schreiter].
Contributors: Marzal, Manuel M. 1931-
Series: Faith and cultures series
Publisher: Orbis Books
Published: 1996
Place of publication: Maryknoll, N.Y
Language: eng
Number of pages: 245
Subjects: Indians of South America -- Religion.; Indians of Mexico -- Religion.; Syncretism (Religion) -- Latin America.; Christianity -- Latin America.
Description: The Indian Face of God in Latin America explores and places in context recent scholarly work on analyzing the theological significance of vital pre-modern traditions in four distinct areas and cultures. Manuel Marzal introduces the new approach to Indian identity and its overall historical context; he then explores the particular traditions of the South Andean Quechua of Peru.

Eugenio Maurer focuses on Tseltal Christianity in Mexico; Xavier Albo on the Aymara religious experience in Bolivia; and Bartomeu Melia explores the Guarani tradition of Parguay.

Over the centuries since Columbus, indigenous religious traditions in Latin America have been suppressed by several powerful forces; at first by colonial and ecclesiastical authorities, then culturally by a modern sense of embarrassment at their "backwardness"; and even an analogous dismissal on the part of modern liberation movements because of a presumed antipathy to politics and social change.

Since the mid-1980s, however, there has been a growing rediscovery and appreciation of these "invisible traditions" among religious scholars, as well as anthropologists and sociologists, who have come to realize that many Latin Americans still identify strongly with ancient religious traditions - indeed, that they continue to prosper, adapt, and inspire millions.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 227-239) and index.