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they have often asserted their claims to a better temporal life, and in various institutional ways they have addressed their societies\u2019 overwhelming problems\u2019 (1991: 69).\u000AIt would also be possible to speculate that they avoid any confrontation with the\u000Agovernment in order not to lose some privileges. Freston from his analysis of politics notes\u000Athat religion is being used for political purposes, and often politics are being used for\u000Areligious purposes (2001: 292). The Evangelicals have walked on a tight rope with regards\u000Ato yielding to the temptation of giving in to the requirements of politicians and the\u000Ainfluence of church governments.\u000ATable 5.11 Do you consider that Christian should participate in public manifestations in favour of the population?\u000A Options\u000AYes\u000AYes, but with reserve\u000ANever\u000ATotal\u000ASource: survey of Neo-Pentecostal lay people 2003\u000AFrequency Valid Per cent\u000A92 18.1 171 33.8 244 48.1 507 100\u000A C. PERSPECTIVE ON POVERTY\u000APoverty in Guatemala as in the rest of Central America is one of the most critical problems of most of the population. In 2006 57 per cent of the population were in poverty and 22 per cent in extreme poverty. According to the report of the United Nations, Guatemala has the lowest index of development compared with the rest of Central America [Table 5.12]. As in the rest of Latin American countries the macro economic growth of the country contrasts with the poverty level in which most of the population live. In some countries, members of Pentecostal churches especially are among the poor population.\u000AKeeping this context in mind, the NPL\u2019s opinions were sought on the subject. They were asked what they thought was the cause of poverty, and if the church ought to contribute to solving this problem and how to go about it. The main causes of the poverty that the GSNPS indicate, is the lack of initiative and laziness of the people, unemployment,\u000A278\u000A