Abstract

MANCILLA, Alma. The Perceptions of Religion in Mexican Public Space by the Leaders of Minority Religions: Caught Between the Desire for Recognition and the Demands of Participation. rev.estud.soc. [online]. 2011, n.39, pp.80-94. ISSN 0123-885X.

This article examines the issue of religion in public space in Mexico and its regulation by the state. In particular, it focuses on the views of minority-religion leaders. Empirically driven, though with some theoretical reflections regarding the analysis of religion in public space, the article emphasizes the role of the state in both privatizing and opening up public space for religion. The subsequent section presents the Mexican case. In particular, it presents the results of a series of interviews with minority religious leaders in Mexico in order to understand how minority religious communities view the issue of religion in public space in Mexico. In the context of growing religious pluralism, and what seems to be a mounting interest by contemporary states to include religion in their public agenda, this article strives to include the voices of religious leaders themselves.

Keywords : Religion; Mexico; Regulating Religious Diversity; Social Representations.

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