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evangelical missioners and pastors assumed a conservative posture regarding the presence and participation of their members in political issues. Also, the governments of the time imposed with the force of violence a culture of silence. The voices who dared to speak out for justice were silenced.\u000ATable 5.10 Do you believe that Christians can make the government keep their obligations to serve the population?\u000A   Options\u000AYes\u000AMay be\u000ASometimes\u000ADefinitely not\u000ATotal\u000ASource: Survey of Neo-Pentecostal lay people 2003\u000Ab. Non-participation in protest marches\u000AFrequency Valid Per cent\u000A294 57.2 56 10.9 59 11.5 105 20.4 514 100\u000A         Most of NPL interviewed said that they had not participated in a march against the government. In some ways they reflect the tendency of the Guatemalans who do not express much their discomfort with the government. Of the people interviewed only three said that they had participated in public manifestations. One participated in a \u2018march against homosexuals\u2019, and in the \u2018Friday of mourning\u2019 march against the corruption of the government of Alfonso Portillo supported by the FRG party. Another one participated in syndicate manifestation for \u2018injustices that affect the workers\u2019. The third person said that he participated in a national teachers protest march.\u000AThe others said that they did not to do it for practical reasons. They affirmed that marches \u2018do not produce anything\u2019 (L3IVF). For some it is useless to demand government \u2018because their opinions are not taken into account\u2019 (L4FCG). Another informant said that \u2018he does not participate in public marches because they finish in civil disturbances\u2019 (L3IFD); and \u2018they are dangerous because of the groups of vandals\u2019 that have infiltrated the marches (L2FCG). Another one commented that \u2018Christians do not depend on the\u000A276\u000A


































































































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