Is the Catholic Church in Free Fall in South America?

I have stated a number of times that unless the Roman Catholic Church makes some dramatic changes soon, it faces the long term prospect of becoming a black church centered in Africa.  Now, a new Pew Survey adds fuel to this prediction by noting the huge drop in Church membership in South America, one of the heretofore bastions of Catholicism.  Among the reasons for sharp decline in membership are losses to evangelical protestant denomination.  But among the younger generations, as else where, including America, is the growing numbers of "nones" - those with no religious affiliation.  If these trends continue, the future does not look good for the Catholic Church (and deservedly so) and those in the hierarchy who oppose change may be hastening the demise of the Church.  Here are some highlights from the New York Times:

These are heady days for Roman Catholics in Latin America. For the first time, one of their own is serving as pope, providing a visible reminder of the importance the region plays in the global church.

But after a century in which nearly all Latin Americans identified as Catholic, the church’s claim on the region is lessening.

A sweeping new survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center, finds that 69 percent of Latin American adults say they are Catholic, down from an estimated 90 percent for much of the 20th century. The decline appears to have accelerated recently: Eighty-four percent of those surveyed said they were raised Catholic, meaning there has been a 15-percentage-point drop-off in one generation.

The findings are not a total surprise — it has been evident for some time that evangelical, and particularly Pentecostal, churches are growing in Latin America, generally at the expense of Catholicism. . . 

[I]t’s a consistent trend across the region — it’s not just a Central American phenomenon.”Latin America remains home to an estimated 40 percent of the world’s Catholic population. But the survey finds that 19 percent of Latin Americans now describe themselves as Protestants. And Protestant churches in Latin America are filled with former Catholics. . . .

The change has political and religious implications. According to the survey, Protestants in Latin America are more religious and more conservative than Catholics: The Protestants pray more, go to services more often and are more likely to tithe. They are also more strongly opposed to same-sex marriage.

In most countries, a majority of Catholics say the church should allow contraceptive use and divorce. A majority of Catholics in Brazil, Chile, Puerto Rico and Uruguay support ordaining women as priests and allowing priests to marry, . . . .

The decline in Latin American Catholics has parallels in the United States, where significant numbers of both Hispanic and non-Hispanic residents were raised Catholic but have left the church. But in the United States, 18 percent of American Hispanics say they are religiously unaffiliated, compared with 8 percent of Latin Americans.

Among the other findings: The most Catholic country among those measured in the region is Paraguay, where 89 percent of adults are Catholic, and the least is Uruguay, where 42 percent are Catholic. Pew describes Uruguay as “far and away Latin America’s most secular country,” with 37 percent of the population religiously unaffiliated, after more than a century of secularization fueled by state policy.

[T]he study is a reminder that, even as Europe and North America become more secular, the Catholic Church also faces significant challenges in some of the regions of the developing world it has long considered to be its future.

I suspect that much of the problem is the same as what is driving the Church's decline:  a more educated population is increasingly put off by the Church's refusal to embrace modern knowledge.  Meanwhile, the ignorant, uneducated portions of the population are falling prey to the evangelical and Pentecostal churches that celebrate ignorance and a rejection of modernity in general..

How Did Latin America Become More Gay Friendly Than the USA?

This blog has noted a number of times that it is somewhat mind boggling that a number of nations in South America have become more accepting of gay rights and gay marriage than the United States of America, the alleged "land of liberty" and home of "religious freedom" for all, which in fact puts the religious views of conservative Christians ahead of the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.  A piece in the New York Times pointed out to me by a blog reader in The Netherlands looks at this surprising twist of circumstance which one can only hope will change with the rulings of the Supreme Court this week. Here are some article excepts:

How can we reconcile these developments with the stereotype of Latin culture as a bastion of religiosity and machismo? How is it that the continent the Catholic Church looks to as its future (along with Africa) is home to what is said to be the largest gay-pride celebration in the world, in São Paulo, Brazil? 

The church’s presence in Latin America is undeniable, but its influence on social policy is nothing like that of conservative Christian evangelicals in the United States, nor have the rising numbers of Pentecostals been obsessed with homosexuality like their conservative counterparts up north. Mexico, for instance, has long emphasized separation between church and state and recognizes only civil marriage — that is, clerics can officiate at weddings, but are not empowered to legally marry couples.

Political history is another factor. Since the 1970s, protest movements helped end military dictatorships or long periods of one-party rule; this democratic opening empowered left or center-left governments that have strongly emphasized human rights and individual freedom.

The recent expansion of same-sex marriage rights has come about in part through alliances of left-of-center legislative majorities with progressive executives, like Mayor Marcelo Ebrard of Mexico City, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of Argentina and President José Mujica of Uruguay. In addition, as in the United States, judges have played an important role in advancing the cause of gay equality, as evidenced this week in Brazil, where the National Council of Justice, which oversees the judiciary, ruled that notary publics may not refuse to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies. 

So to understand why the politics changed, we must also look to society. .  .  .  .  In the 1990s, I interviewed dozens of Mexicans, straight and gay, in Guadalajara, the country’s second largest city. They spoke about how they wanted their lives to differ from their parents’.  .  .   .  .  This desire for individual autonomy — which in some ways lagged behind the sexual revolution in the United States — extended to gay and lesbian people.

Mexican media, which reaches even remote rural hamlets, features telenovelas that portray homosexuality in frank (if melodramatic) terms and talk shows where tolerance is a sign of cosmopolitan modernity. 

These developments not only undermine stereotypes about machismo, but also the assumption that the prominence of Catholicism makes progressive change impossible. Same-sex marriage is legal in Belgium, Portugal and Spain, and Ireland recognizes civil unions. As the United States Supreme Court debates same-sex marriage, perhaps it should consider the precedent set by other nations of the Western Hemisphere.

Should the Supreme Court fail to rule broadly for gay marriage, to me it will be yet further proof that the image that America seeks to project to the rest of the world is a lie and a farce.  As long as ignorance and bigotry based religious beliefs are allowed to trump the Constitution's guaranty of equality for all Americans, hypocrisy will be the main attribute of the USA.  It does not practice what it preaches.  Why should African nations and Islamic nations listen to America on gays rights issues when America itself still allows widespread discrimination and legal inequality?  Virginia is a prime example of this hypocrisy.

Alécio and Luiz Felipe - A Gay Wedding Ceremony in Brazil

As noted before on this blog, it is amazing that Brazil and Argentina and Uruguay all have full gay marriage nationwide while America, which claims to be the land of liberty and home of religious freedom does not.  Why, because far right religious beliefs are still afforded undeserved - one might even say unconstitutional - deference under America's civil laws.  

A reader in the Netherlands - Amsterdam to be exact - sent me a link to a video clip of a gay marriage ceremony in Brazil.  Watching the video, I can only ask, what is so frightening about recognizing the relationship between a loving couple who seek to share their lives together?  Is the faith of far right Christians - and Muslims for that matter so weak and shallow that it cannot be confronted with anything that goes against the ignorance and mindlessness of such individuals?  Or do couples like the ones in the video terrify them because they - and all of us other out and normal gays - are all too normal.  We don't fit the bogeyman image the far right Christofascists seek to bestow on us?  Ignorance which is often self-selected and fear are at the root of homophobia and bigotry of all kinds.  Here's the video.  What do you think?

Love, commitment and the pledging one's self to another through good times and bad ought to be applauded and supported by our society and by our civil laws. It isn't gay marriage that's scary. Rather it is those who oppose it due to their own psychosis, paranoia and/or fear of thinking who are the scary ones. While the following isn't an actual wedding, it's a video that like the other one sends the message that love is love and commitment is commitment be it between gay couples or straight couples. Hopefully, one day every state in America will grasp this reality.

Uruguay Lower House and French Senate Vote for Gay Marriage

Now both legislative houses of Uruguay and France have voted to approve gay marriages in their respective countries.  Meanwhile, America waits for a U. S. Supreme Court ruling that may totally dodge the issue, leaving America falling further behind modern, advanced nations.   And underscoring the lie of America's claim to being the "land of liberty" and a land of "religious freedom."  Currently, only Christofascists have full religious freedom.  Moreover, they daily trample on the religious freedom of others.  Here are highlights from Gay Star News on the vote in Uruguay:

Uruguay’s lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, has made history today (10 April) when it voted to legalize gay marriage.  An overwhelming majority (71) voted for gay marriage out of the total 92 deputies in the lower house.  This means that Uruguay has effectively legalized marriage equality, as both chambers of the General Assembly, the upper house (Senate) and lower house have now voted for the bill by an overwhelming majority.

Uruguay’s government will implement the law in no more than 90 days, during which, according to deputy Jose Bayardi, some 'drafting errors' that occurred in the Senate will be corrected.

This will be followed by Uruguay’s president, Jose Mujica, signing it officially into law, which he already stated he would.

Uruguay’s approved bill states that ‘marriage is the permanent union between two persons of the same or opposite sex’.

The bill modified some 20 articles of the country’s civil code, including allowing parents - gay or straight - to decide whose surname comes first when naming their children.

The bill also did away with the words 'marido y mujer' (husband and woman) in marriage contracts, referring instead to the gender-neutral term 'contrayentes' (contracting parties).  The gay marriage bill likewise includes amendments on laws regarding in-vitro fertilization and adoption.

Meanwhile, in France, similar equality under the law advanced as well, bringing the number of nations with full gay marriage to on the verge of 13.  Here are details from Gay Star News on this story:

The French Senate has approved adoption for same-sex couples.  On the evening of 10 April, the second article of the ‘Marriage for All’ bill was adopted by the upper level of French parliament.

The vote came just one day after the Senate approved Article 1, the provision allowing gay couples to marry.

The Senate must now complete a review of the legislation in its entirety, although passage of both articles almost guarantees gay couples will soon be able to marry and adopt in France.

Once approved, the bill will go back to the National Assembly in late May for final approval. It will then go to the French President François Hollande to sign into law.

America's fraudulent claims about equality under the law and religious freedom for all citizens are becoming increasingly obvious.   Will the Supreme Court correct this situation or will Christofascists and their hate and fear based religious beliefs continue to trump the rights of others.  Only time will tell. 

Uruguay Passes Gay Marriage While USA and Virginia Lag Behind

Yet another western hemisphere nation has joined the ranks of nations providing full marriage equality to all of its citizens, gay and straight.  This time the nation embracing equality for all its citizens is Uruguay, another historically Catholic nation.  Meanwhile, America and states like Virginia lag behind and make a mockery of America's supposed moniker as the "land of liberty" and a land of "religious freedom."   Freedom to Marry has details (the Montevideo newspaper, El Pais has details in Spanish):

The Uruguayan Senate passed freedom to marry legislation today allowing same-sex couples to marry, making Uruguay nearly certain to be the 15th nation in the world – and the fourth in Latin America – where gay and lesbian couples can share in the freedom to marry. The bill passed today had been modified slightly since passage by the Chamber of Deputies in December, but those changes are expected to be easily approved by the deputies. President José Mujica has said he intends to sign the bill.

Uruguay’s vote today to move past civil union to marriage itself, Argentina’s enactment of the freedom to marry in 2010 and the Mexico Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling last month in favor of the freedom to marry -- citing the U.S Supreme Court cases of Brown v. Board of Education and Loving v. Virginia -- all are inspirations and examples decision-makers here in the United States, including our Supreme Court justices, should swiftly follow to get the U.S. where it needs to be.”

When marriages between same-sex couples begin this summer, Uruguay will join 11 countries that have the freedom to marry for same-sex couples nationwide: The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina, and Denmark. Three others have taken judicial and regional steps to allow same-sex couples to share in the freedom to marry in parts of the country: Brazil, Mexico, and the United States.

 The Washington Blade has additional coverage.  Here are highlights (note that the vote was not even close):

The Uruguay Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry in the South American country.  The 23-8 vote took place after an hours-long debate on the proposal.

The Uruguayan newspaper El País reported Sen. Rafael Michelini compared the extension of marriage rights to same-sex couples in Uruguay as a “profound modification” for society that one could compare to the abolition of slavery and the law that established an eight hour work day. Sen. Francisco Gallinal told fellow senators that nuptials for gays and lesbians does not guarantee equality.

Will the USA catch up with modernity and equality for all citizens?  Only time will tell.

Marriage Equality Legislation Introduced in Uruguay

It looks like another South American country may be headed towards full civil marriage rights for same sex couples. Should the legislation introduced in Uruguay be enacted, it would further underscore the lie of the United State's false promise of equality and freedom of religion for all of its citizens. This country continues to be plagued by special rights for conservative Christian bigots who are best defined by who they hate (which is nearly everyone). They claim that they are persecuted yet it is they who do all of the persecution. Moreover, they disingenuously claim to be "pro-life" yet the majority do no seem to give a damn about children once they leave the womb. But I digress. Here are highlights on developments in Uruguay via the Dallas Voice:
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According to the Chilean newspaper El Mercurio, legislators in Uruguay have introduced a marriage equality bill. The bill has a good chance of passing because the liberal Frente Amplio party controls both houses of the legislature.
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The bill’s author, Rep. Sebastián Sabini, explained the strategy to pass the law. “We do not focus so much on the issue of gay marriage but of equal marriage regardless of sex, gender or religion,” Sabini said.
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Laws that refer to “husband and wife” would change to “spouses” or “conjugal partner.” If one spouse in a relationship had biological children, the law would give the non-biological partner the same rights and responsibilities in caring for the child.
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Supporters said they hoped the law would be passed by both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate by the end of the year.

Paraguay Next To Consider Gay Marriage?

It seems that the tide of equality may sweep South America before the USA joins the 21st century, accepts modern scientific knowledge on sexual orientation, and forces religious based anti-gay bigotry out of the nation's civil laws. With Argentina having just approved same sex civil marriage, Paraguay, is moving to bring up passage of same sex marriage in that country. Meanwhile, Uruguay, Argentina's neighbor just across the Río de la Plata is already progressive and has civil union laws already in place - P.S. and is gorgeous to boot (see the photo above). Not surprisingly, the gay-hating and woman-hating Catholic Church has announced that it will oppose the contemplated legislation. Equally embarrassing to the USA is the fact that Chile is moving to consider a civil unions law. Unfortunately, the knuckle draggers continue to hold sway in far too much of the USA - Virginia being one such backwater. The irony is that both Paraguay and Uruguay are little known to most in the USA - which falsely holds itself up as a beacon of freedom - and I suspect many Christianists and self-anointed Uber-American patriots could not locate either country on a map), Here are highlights from On Top Magazine on the developments in Paraguay:
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Gay activists in Paraguay say they'll legalize gay marriage next.
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The gay rights group SOMOSGAY (we are gay) tweeted celebratory messages Thursday to Argentina for becoming the first nation in Latin America to legalize gay marriage, and then went on to say they'll lobby for passage of a gay marriage bill in October.
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Moved by its neighbor's decision, Paraguayan lawmakers Thursday appeared on television to discuss gay marriage. Senator Alfredo Jaeggli said he favored the institution in an appearance on Asuncion-based television Paravision.
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The Roman Catholic Church, to which 89% of the population claims allegiance, has already announced they'll campaign against the law. “We are going to put out an intense educational campaign on Christian values, to avoid the law of marriage between people of the same sex that was approved in Argentina from coming to Paraguay,” Bishop Adalberto Martinez of San Pedro told La Nacion.
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The Catholic Church would seem better served weeding out sexual predator priests and honestly dealing with sex abuse victims as opposed to intruding into the civil laws - in Paraguay and everywhere else in the world.

Argentina Considers Same-Sex Marriage

In yet another instance that demonstrates that the promises of liberty and justice here in the USA are false and not in keeping with the nation's founding documents, now Argentina's Congress is about to consider allowing same sex marriage in that country. Meanwhile, the USA cannot even get an employment non-discrimination bill through Congress that would prevent the summary firing of GLBT employees in the majority of states that still do not protect their GLBT citizens from discrimination. Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, already allows civil unions between same sex couples. As is all too typical, the leading opponent of full civil legal equality for GLBT couples is the scandal ridden and morally bankrupt Roman Catholic Church. which seems to hope that by condemning gays it can divert attention from the Church's moral failings. Here are some highlights from Google News:

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Is Argentina ready to become Latin America's first nation to legalize gay marriage? Gay and lesbian activists think so — and they have a growing number of supporters in Congress, which opened debate Thursday on whether to change dozens of laws that define marriage as a union between a "man and woman."
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It remains to be seen whether they have enough votes to overcome opposition from religious groups. The Roman Catholic Church remains a driving force in Argentina, where presidents were required to be both married and Catholic until a 1994 reform. Some Catholic and evangelical Christian groups have accused the government of trying to subvert the natural order of life, promote perversions and destroy the family as an institution. "This should not be understood as the denial of anyone's rights," said Archbishop Jose Maria Arancedo of Santa Fe, who took a gentler tone in a recent radio address. "It's possible both to be progressive and to defend the family, founded on the institution of marriage."
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Argentina's capital established its gay-friendly reputation in 2002 by becoming the first Latin American city to legalize same-sex civil unions. Four other Argentine cities later did the same, and such unions also now are recognized in Mexico City and some Mexican and Brazilian states. Uruguay alone has legalized civil unions nationwide.
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"The opinion of religious leaders who dictate how other people should lead their lives should apply only to those who share their creed, and not to the rest of society," Rachid said during an interview with Castro in the Buenos Aires apartment they share with their dog, Lola. "We don't need a law to define us as a couple — we've already been a couple for more than 10 years," Castro added. "We just want to have equal rights." If the law passes, they plan to be first in line for a marriage license.

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Truth be told, the sooner that the religious beliefs of a particular religious faction are totally removed from the civil laws - both in the USA and in other countries - the sooner true democracy and religious freedom will be achieved. Like it or not, the Christianists and Catholic clerics who seek to impose their beliefs on all of society are really no different that the Taliban and Islamic Extremists.

Uruguay To End Gays in the Military Ban

It is a pretty sad state of affairs when Uruguay grants more equality to all its citizens than the self-righteous "land of the free and home of the brave." But, that's precisely what is happening now that Uruguay is ending its ban on gays serving in the military - something Barack Obama is afraid to push for lest the Christianists not like him (hasn't he figured out that they will hate him no matter what he does?) Oh, and Uruguay granted civil union rights to same sex couples back in 2007. In short, Uruguay is part of a growing trend where countries that many Americans look down upon in fact grant more civil liberties than those available in the USA. Increasingly, the USA does not live up to its image of a country with abundant freedoms for its citizens. As other nations move forward and become more progressive, the USA stagnate and becomes a false beacon of something less than its claimed ideals. Here are some highlights from 365gay.com on the new developments in Uruguay:

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(Montevido) Uruguay is moving to lift a ban on homosexuals joining the armed forces. The defense ministry confirms that Minister Jose Bayardi has signed a decree lifting the ban imposed by the 1973-85 military dictatorship. The army said Wednesday it has received the decree, which has yet to be signed by President Tabare Vazquez. The law had barred people with what it called “open sexual deviations” from entering the military academies.

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The new decree states that sexual orientation will no longer be considered a reason to prevent people entering the military.

Uruguay Holds Latin America's First Gay Wedding

Yahoo News is reporting that on Thursday Uruguay, another predominantly Catholic country, became the first nation in Latin America to marry a gay couple, after a law allowing couples living together to formalize their union went into effect at the start of the year. This places the USA - alleged land of liberty and freedom - falling further behind in the march toward equal treatment of all citizens. From what I have read on Uruguay, it seems to be an up and coming country and the beaches look gorgeous (see photo at left). Hey, I am a surfer, so I cannot help but notice beaches. One can only hope that some day LGBT citizens in the USA will be granted equal rights. Here are some story highlights:

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Judge Estrella Perez officiated the civil union between Adrian Figuera, 38, and actor and theater director Juan Carlos Moretti, 67, in a courtroom before a small group of friends and family, as witnessed by an AFP reporter. Moretti later told AFP that after living together for 14 years, he and Figuera thought their marriage was "a matter of justice and a step forward for Uruguayan society."

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The so-called "cohabitation union law" went into effect on January 1, allowing heterosexual and homosexual couples living together for at least five years to receive the same legal rights and benefits that traditional marriage bestows.

Civil Unions Begin Next Week In Uruguay

I will not say much about this 365gay.com story (http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/12/122807ur.htm) other than that this development is further proof that the anti-gay elements in the USA are swimming against the tide of history. I am confident that some day these anti-gay bigots will be looked on little better than the segregationists who used the Bible to justify racial bigotry. While Uruguay's law is less than perfect, it is far better than what gays face in most states in the USA. Here are a few story highlights:

(Montevideo) President Tabare Vazquez signed legislation Thursday making Uruguay the first country in Latin America to allow same-sex couples to enter civil unions. The law takes effect at the beginning of 2008. The bill passed Congress earlier this month. The law will allow same and opposite-sex couples to form civil unions. Couples must have been together for at least five years and sign a registry. They would then receive pension, inheritance and parenting rights. The measure was a campaign promise of Vasquez's ruling leftist coalition.

the civil union bill is a major step in the right direction in a region where the Catholic Church dominates much of everyday life. The church fought the legislation from the onset and repeated a pledge Thursday that it will continue to fight any attempt to legalize same-sex marriage. In neighboring Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul state which lies along the border, passed civil union legislation in 2004, two years after Buenos Aires passed a similar law. Civil unions also are legal in Mexico City and Coahuila state.

Uruguayan President To Sign Gay Unions Bill

As this 365gay.com story indicates (http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/12/121907ur.htm) gay rights continue to improve in parts of South America if not here in Virginia and in most of George W. Bush's Amerika. Who would ever have thought that Uruguay would offer more liberty and freedom than most states in the USA? Here are some story highlights:

(Montevideo) Uruguay President Tabare Vazquez said Wednesday that he will sign legislation making the country the first in Latin America to allow civil unions. The final version of the bill passed Congress on Tuesday. Initial drafts of the legislation passed the Senate earlier this year and the lower house last month.

The law will allow same and opposite-sex couples to form civil unions. Couples must have been together for at least five years and sign a registry. They would then receive pension, inheritance and parenting rights.

In neighboring Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul state which lies along the border, passed civil union legislation in 2004, two years after Buenos Aires passed a similar law. Civil unions also are legal in Mexico City and Coahuila state. Earlier this year lawmakers in Colombia passed legislation giving same-sex couples most of the same rights as opposite-sex married couples and a week later killed it in a procedural move by conservative senators.

Uruguay First Latin American Country To Legalize Civil Unions

The USA continues to fall behind in terms of progressive developments that bestow full citizenship rights on LBGT citizens. Now Uruguay has moved ahead of the USA and will be affording civil union rights to gay citizens as reported by 365gay.com (http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/11/112907ur.htm) So much for the USA being the land of the free and a beacon of liberty and freedom. I really wonder at times why I just do not leave this country for somewhere that treats gays better except for the fact that by nature I prefer to stand and fight for what is right. Here are some story highlights:

(Montevideo) The lower house in Uruguay's Congress passed legislation Thursday allowing same and opposite-sex couples to form civil unions. A similar bill has already passed the Senate. The two measures need to be harmonized into a single bill and receive a final vote - something considered only a formality. The measure is expected to become law next month.

Under the legislation couples would have be together for at least five years and sign a registry. They would then receive pension, inheritance and parenting rights. In neighboring Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul state which lies along the border, passed civil union legislation in 2004, two years after Buenos Aires passed a similar law. Civil unions also are legal in Mexico City and Coahuila state. But this would make Uruguay the first country in Latin America to have a national civil union law.