move over pope

there has been a very significant shift away from catholicism in Guatemala.  while previously it was the only religion the country is now split and 50% of those practicing religion are catholic - the 50% are called evangelical.

i have no idea what the evangelicals believe or don't believe.  i can say that there are missionaries all over Guatamala and i did overhear this conversation at a local shop in Antigua.  clearly, this youngish [20 something] guy and slightly older woman were missionaries i'm just not sure which flavor.

him:  someone asked me about the cross and i didn't know what to say
her:  we don't ever talk about the cross or crucifixion because they are symbols associated with catholicism.

ummm.  ok.  i didn't wait around to hear more.  

one day on an hour-long ride to Santa Teresita where there are hot springs we got to speculating about this shift away from catholicism.  urbanization and economic decline were early factors and but it was the catholic church's alignment with the guerrillas during the civil war that opened the flood gate of evangelicals.  from there it seems the catholic church wasn't 'tending it's flock' and that led to the massive exodus.  

more on the religious practices in Guatemala.

mayan + catholic practies in Guatemala

when the conquistadors arrived and introduced catholicism there was resistance by the mayans.  the spanish built over the existing religious sites and did other crappy things which are pretty standard 'art of war' practices.  and the mayan did adopt catholicism.  they also kept their old mayan practices as well and often you see the practices side by side.  these colored candles have a lot of significance for the mayan and there are separate altars just outside the entrance of the catholic churches where it is acceptable for the mayan catholics to light their candles.  they just can't go inside the church where only traditionally white candles are used.  

red - love, clarification and represents the east.  black - cuts negative energy and represents the west.  white - purification of the mind and represents the north.  yellow - the energy of life and represents the south.  green - hope.  light blue - fortune.  purple - removes illness.  pink - fixes love

there are multiple combinations that enhance specific intentions, like mixing the white and blues will give you spiritual powers like intuition and vision.  more here.