Salt of the earth: A socio-political history of Mexico City Evangelical Protestants (1964-1991)

This dissertation analyzes the social and political involvement of Mexico City Evangelical Protestants from 1964 to 1991. Three important events (the Student Movement of 1968, the earthquake relief work of 1985 and 1986, and the presidential election of 1988) were studied to explore the participation of Protestants in Mexican society. The methodology employed included analysis of primary and secondary sources, personal observation of Protestant activities, interviews with more than one hundred evangelical leaders, and a survey regarding the 1988 election.; Evidence revealed that Evangelicals in Mexico City have generally adopted an "apolitical" stance in relation to the government and the ruling PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional) party. This "silent support" of the PRI is due to an historical alliance with the PRI, political restrictions placed upon churches by the 1917 Constitution, increased secularization, and a "separationist" socio-political stance derived from their theology. But in moments of great social need (eg. the earthquake relief work), Protestants did participate quite actively.; The survey regarding the 1988 presidential election revealed that the traditional Protestant-PRI alliance is breaking down. Recent trends suggest that Evangelical Protestants are entering the political arena in greater numbers. Hopefully, their increased presence will be discerning and Biblical. In that manner they will contribute to the public "social conscience" and thus fulfill their calling to be "salt of the earth."...