Page 346 - tesis
P. 346
objective the formation of leadership for the empowering of local governments. Bianchi as well as other NPL have recently founded the Christian Centre of Political Studies (CEP).151 The presence of some Neo-Pentecostal politicians and other Evangelicals in political forums or organizations of government contribute in some way to the discussion in favour of the country\u2019s problems. Of course, \u2018Neo-Pentecostal vision is not necessarily equal to democracy\u2019.152 This implies a serious analysis of their proposals and leadership, Neo- Pentecostal or not.\u000AAt the institutional level a new approach between Neo-Pentecostal Apostolic Council and the Evangelical Alliance of Guatemala is observed. Together they coordinated a forum with presidential candidates in 2007 emphasizing the themes of abortion and marriage of homosexuals. In this forum they expressed their concern to guard the rights and property of the State, fight against the lack of values in society and promote the fortification of the family.153\u000AOn the other hand, the Evangelicals including the NPCs need to find how they will confront the local authorities in favour of the citizens\u2019 rights. In general, the NPL give more attention to prayers and spiritual warfare than to face up to the challenges of society and government. According to Cant\u00F3n the call to prayers of warfare within the Neo- Pentecostal world is not passive but rather it demonstrates political connotations. She\u000A151 See details in \u2018Por mi naci\u00F3n Centro de Estudios Pol\u00EDticos\u2019 (CEP) Available at http://www.porminacion.com/index.php?ID=801 Accessed 04.08.07.\u000A152Garrard-Burnet, \u2018Comment Chapter VI Ortiz\u2019 thesis\u2019 Garrard@mail.utexas.edu 13/09/07. 153\u2018Presidenciables contra el aborto y matrimonio de homosexuales\u2019 by Francisco Gonz\u00E1lez Arrecis. Diario Prensa Libre Ciudad de Guatemala 25/07/2007. http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2007/julio/25/178047.html Accessed 04.08.07. From the amplest scope of the Evangelical circle other lay people participate in similar instances. Guillermo M\u00E9ndez former professor of the Central American Theological Seminary founded in the 2000 the Institute for Services to the Nation (ISN). Its objective is to try to change the tradition of Civil Right in Guatemala. According to M\u00E9ndez the laws in Latin America are of prohibitive character. He emphasizes the need to establish a constitution that facilitates the fulfilment of the law instead of obstructing it. In Wikipedia. http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instituto_de_Servicios_a_la_Naci%C3%B3n Accessed 04.08.07 M\u00E9ndez with others professionals and business men from different evangelical and Neo-Pentecostal churches met once a week to discuss economical and social issues of the Guatemalan society since 2002. Interview, Guatemala, 14/10/02. From the Evangelical ecumenical circle the work of the CIEDEG stands out. From 1987 they have specially promoted the development and democratic processes of the country among the Presbyterian churches of the rural area. As of the 2003 they offer a Graduate programme in Political Studies with the support of the Lutheran University of El Salvador. The Evangelical Alliance of Guatemala by means of COSIPE promotes the analysis of the national situation of the country and participates in new instances of national dialogue. They constitute a part of Guatemala Forum which promotes the analysis and research of solutions for the country\u2019s problems, and where the members come from the financial, religious, political, syndicate sector, and other associations of the civil society.\u000A 333\u000A