Page 76 - tesis

seen at the levels of social, economic and political structures. This is imperative in a country with some of the highest indices of poverty, violence, inequality, impunity and corruption and human development in Latin America. It can be stated that the Evangelical numerical growth does not bring, ipso facto, social impact at micro or at macro levels of society. Certain questions need to be asked about Evangelical revival and social impact. The present thesis analyses how the Neo-Pentecostals think in relation to their role and social presence in Guatemalan society.\u000A3. Conclusions\u000AAccording to the material presented, Evangelicals changed the religious scene in Guatemala. Their numerical growth altered the socio-cultural physiognomy of society and contributed to religious plurality in the country. They have acted in two directions with regard to their role and presence in society. On the one hand some of them show openness and participate in some national socio-political activities, but most of them show a more conservative posture about social issues and political participation. In spite of this ambiguity, several churches and believers are involved in social tasks in the light of their religious proposal.26 N\u00FA\u00F1ez underlines that it is necessary to see the contribution of the Guatemalan Evangelicals not just from the point of view of social work but \u2018the spiritual and moral influence which Protestantism has exercised for the good of many Guatemalans\u2019 needs to be taken into account also (N\u00FA\u00F1ez 1978: 33-34).\u000AThis investigation is interested in analyzing up to what point the social transformation is part of the agenda of the Neo-Pentecostal churches. It is fundamental to observe how they think and participate in the heart of Guatemalan society in general. What sort of presence do they have in society? Do they get involved in solving the social and political problems? Is there a diffusion of moral and ethical values from the Evangelical perspective which could provoke changes to Guatemalan society? The following chapters\u000A26 Bryan Roberts \u2018analysis of the Evangelicals in the 1960s does not take into account both aspects of their social presence Guatemalan society\u2019. In El Protestantismo en dos Barrios de Guatemala, (1967).\u000A 63\u000A