ABSTRACT
Shallow conceptions of Latino religion have been common in past sociological survey analysis. In the 1950s, research data on Latino religion were most frequently concerned with how many Latinos considered themselves Catholics, how often they went to church, and how "important" religion was to them. The exclusion of Latino religion as a topic integral to the study of US religion or US Latinos has left an unfortunate legacy. Bearers of the message that there are special characteristics of Latino religion offered information many in the academy did not want to hear, lest it complicate the reigning theories and methods. Social science studies of religion among particular ethnic groups have usually focused on discussion of Americanization, that is, assimilation into US society. The chapter concludes with: Americanization and assimilation; race and ethnicity; upward mobility and denominational affiliation; and civil religion. It also presents an overview of the key concepts discusses in this book.
