Blessing La Politica: The Latino Religious Experience and Political Engagement in the United States Book

Preface vii

Acknowledgments xiii

1 Introduction Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo 1

Part I Theoretical and Historical Issues

2 The Political Persuasions of Latino Faith Communities Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo 31

Part II Community Perspectives

3 Latinos, Religion, and Political Participation in New York City Carlos Vargas-Ramos 65

4 Transnational Religious and Sociopolitical Dynamics of a Racialized Puerto Rican Community in Connecticut Samiri Hernández Hiraldo 93

5 "It's a Calling to Get Involved …" The Catholic Charismatic Movement and Civic Engagement among Mexican Immigrants G. Cristina Mora 115

Part III 2004 Elections

6 Standing Up for Social Justice: Catholic Voting Patterns and the Latino Effect in the 2004 Presidential Election Frank Ridzi Matthew T. Loveland Jillian Ruhland 137

7 Epilogue: The Growing Influence of the Latino Catholic Vote Mark M. Gray 157

Afterword: Suggestions for Further Reading on Latinos and Religion 167

Excursus: A Layperson's Guide to Research on Hispanics/Latinos Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo 171

Bibliography 199

About the Editors and Contributors 209

Index 213