Description
Organized around three central themes-circle of relatives, youth, and community; democratization, citizenship, and political participation; and immigration and transnationalism-the book argues that, on the local level, religion helps people, especially women and youths, solidify their identities and confront the challenges of the brand new world. Religious communities are seen as both peaceful venues for people to articulate their needs, and forums for building participatory democracies within the Americas. In the end, the contributors examine how religion enfranchises poor women, youths, and people displaced by war or economic change and, on the same time, drives social movements that are seeking for to give a boost to circle of relatives and community bonds disrupted by migration and political violence.