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acquires when introduced to God\u2019s people. This community helps him to develop to a new identity and a sense of belonging in spite of social and racial differences. It provides a sense of brotherhood for him that opens up the possibility of relationships and a process of integration at the individual and community levels. A woman, a high middle class professional and director of one of the ESH School shared her perceptions along this line. When asked her opinion about the indigenous people and their culture in the country she said,\u000AGod made all the men of the same blood, of a single race. This is my position as far as the different ethnic groups. We are all equal. The circumstances are different, some are urban others rural, some grew up in good homes with different beliefs. There are Protestants, Catholics, and Muslims, all types of classes, indigenous people and Ladinos. We are men and women created in the image and likeness of God. All of us are equal. The school in no way vetoes the entrance of indigenous people neither is it going to happen. What do I think about their contributions and ideas? I have great and wonderful memories of indigenous teachers in the school where I studied. No problem, zero, and the same with people and university professors. Every one is equal in the university. There are no differences between the men. What there is, are different opportunities. (L7ESH).\u000AHer perception shows a clear understanding of the theological basis with regard to the dignity of the indigenous people and other groups of people which contrasts with the opinion commonly found among the rest of the population. At the same time, she indirectly states that the critical situation of the indigenous people is due to the difference in opportunities; but she does not mention the socio-economic problems, which the Guatemalan indigenous population has lived through for decades. Steigenga in his study on gender equality in conservative Christian churches, note that it is not the religious connection that generates the change of perspective and treatment of woman, but their belief that all human beings are created in the image of God, among other doctrines (1999: 174-186). Of course, this opening, brotherhood and space for leadership towards the Guatemalan indigenous people, does not mean that the social differences between ladino and native are being overcome in these churches. In spite of this situation it is possible to say that the position and attitude of the NPCs as well as that of the rest of Evangelicals could contribute in the creation of a more tolerant society.\u000A297\u000A


































































































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