Religion in Mexico: Catholics and Church
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Today I want to talk about one more characteristic of the Mexican culture: religion. As usual, I have to start in the past, with the Aztecs and Maya. On those years (between 1000 b.C. and 1500 b.C.) they believed in various gods: the wind, the sun, the soil, etc. Like any other civilization, they praised their lords by offering some kind of sacrifice, in the case of the Aztecs, they sacrificed people (especially women and children) to keep their bloody promises with the gods.
When the Spaniards came, "The Conquista" meant, first and foremost, converting those "Indians" (as the called them) into catholicism. They did a great job in Mexico. Their missions abolished any kind of "obscure" and pagan idea. Then came catholicism as a strong force.
Actually, Mexico has no official religion, however, between 80 and 90 percent of the Mexican population are Christians (Roman Catholics). This has been reflected in many respects. One example is that religious celebrations that take place as official or unofficial holidays: Christmas, Easter, Kings Day, and Día de Guadalupe (Virgin Mary of Guadalupe Celebration).
Catholic Religion has been embraced by Mexicans in a way that you don't get to see in many countries. Mexican Catholicism is expressed in the lives of many Mexicans, in different situations, it's a part of the mentality of people in Mexico. Religion is a part of their being.
This will be a topic for more posts.
Today I want to talk about one more characteristic of the Mexican culture: religion. As usual, I have to start in the past, with the Aztecs and Maya. On those years (between 1000 b.C. and 1500 b.C.) they believed in various gods: the wind, the sun, the soil, etc. Like any other civilization, they praised their lords by offering some kind of sacrifice, in the case of the Aztecs, they sacrificed people (especially women and children) to keep their bloody promises with the gods.
When the Spaniards came, "The Conquista" meant, first and foremost, converting those "Indians" (as the called them) into catholicism. They did a great job in Mexico. Their missions abolished any kind of "obscure" and pagan idea. Then came catholicism as a strong force.
Actually, Mexico has no official religion, however, between 80 and 90 percent of the Mexican population are Christians (Roman Catholics). This has been reflected in many respects. One example is that religious celebrations that take place as official or unofficial holidays: Christmas, Easter, Kings Day, and Día de Guadalupe (Virgin Mary of Guadalupe Celebration).
Catholic Religion has been embraced by Mexicans in a way that you don't get to see in many countries. Mexican Catholicism is expressed in the lives of many Mexicans, in different situations, it's a part of the mentality of people in Mexico. Religion is a part of their being.
This will be a topic for more posts.
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