Rendering unto Caesar: The Catholic Church and the State in Latin America [Paperback]

Anthony Gill (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226293858 | ISBN-13: 978-0226293851 | Publication Date: February 3, 1998

Nowhere has the relationship between state and church been more volatile in recent decades than in Latin America. Anthony Gill's controversial book not only explains why Catholic leaders in some countries came to oppose dictatorial rule but, equally important, why many did not. Using historical and statistical evidence from twelve countries, Gill for the first time uncovers the causal connection between religious competition and the rise of progressive Catholicism. In places where evangelical Protestantism and "spiritist" sects made inroads among poor Catholics, Church leaders championed the rights of the poor and turned against authoritarian regimes to retain parishioners. Where competition was minimal, bishops maintained good relations with military rulers. Applying economic reasoning to an entirely new setting, Rendering unto Caesar offers a new theory of religious competition that dramatically revises our understanding of church-state relations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (February 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226293858
• ISBN-13: 978-0226293851
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #732,979 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars highly recommended, December 26, 2000

By 

Jean Hammerback (Pleasanton, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rendering unto Caesar: The Catholic Church and the State in Latin America (Paperback)

Anyone interested in the overlap of politics and religion, particularly in Latin America, should read this book. Anthony Gill applies to politics and religion some basic principles that economists have shown to explain the behavior of business firms. In doing so, Gill provides us with an insightful and valuable way of thinking about how political and religious leaders behave.

Gill argues that most of the time, dominant religions-those who claim the adherence of the vast majority of the population-cooperate with the state. The Church can provide legitimacy to the ruling regime, giving it much needed credibility in the eyes of the public. In return, the state can supply crucial resources to the Church. When one religion holds a monopoly or near-monopoly position in the loyalties of the people, it will not have an incentive to violate this mutually beneficial relationship, regardless of how the state behaves. When there is competition among religions for the hearts and souls of the populace, however, the calculations change. Recognizing that people can turn to alternative religions, leaders of the dominant religion will often oppose a regime viewed with disdain among parts of the population. Gill develops and applies these ideas to the relationship between the Catholic Church and the state in twelve Latin American countries during the 19th and especially the 20th centuries.

This brilliantly conceived book succeeds in every respect. It takes on a controversial subject, presents its argument in a clear and careful manner, and develops convincing evidence. Gill effectively demystifies both government and, especially, religion. He shows that religious leaders have to worry about growing or at least maintaining their memberships, and this clerical concern affects the political stances they take. If you're like me, you'll find your time reading this book well spent: You will learn much about Latin American history and culture; you will come to understand how governments view religion; and you will gain new insights about how religious leaders behave in Latin America and maybe even your hometown. I recommend the book with great enthusiasm.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You like the book?, June 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Rendering unto Caesar: The Catholic Church and the State in Latin America (Paperback)

Try having him in lecture. Professor Gill shines in both arenas.