Neopentecostal Fundamentalism and Symbolic Violence in Central America

Abstract

This article offers an analytical explanation of a study conducted on the principal neopentecostal churches in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In these Central American countries, the numerical growth of these churches over recent decades has turned this socio-religious phenomenon into an expanding field of inquiry across various approaches within the social sciences and the humanities. Our focus is on the issue of symbolic violence against women within these congregations. The study examines the leading churches of each country—“leading” referring to those that are best known for their history and tradition, which make them highly visible in their departments, regions, and even at the national level, and also to those with the largest memberships and consequently the most extensive and modern facilities (temples, offices, and social projects). The investigation analyzes the central religious celebration of these churches—the worship service—and, in particular, the sermon delivered by the pastor, prophet, or apostle (both men and women). The research draws on information from services broadcast through television channels, radio stations, social media, and official websites, and it is supported by a corpus of academic, journalistic, and testimonial documentation. The article concludes with a set of preliminary findings that may serve as a basis for future research on this subject.