Immigration has made Southern California one of the most diverse parts of the country, making it an ideal place to explore the relationship between religion and the movement of people. Mosques and temples are growing rapidly. Both Catholic shrines for Our Lady of Guadalupe and Pentecostal storefront churches remain popular, even as many second- and third-generation Latinos opt out of religion all together.
Anti-immigrant sentiment often comes from the idea the United States is a “Christian nation.” At the same time, many religious communities have taken a leading role in advocating for immigration reform. Faith-based groups organize marches for immigrants’ rights. Lawyers help refugees win asylum. Congregations offer sanctuary to undocumented families. Religious institutions are often at the center of immigrants’ lives because that is where they can find community and support in their new home.
CRCC in the News83.9 KPCC: Mark Whitlock on LA’s Korean Christian Community Seeking Social ImpactKorean Americans make up a large portion of Los Angeles’ population, and many of them identify as Christian. However, Korean churches do not have the same reputation for impacting the community in …Topics: Black Church, Christians and Christianity, CMCCE, Community Organizing, Faith-Based Organizations, Immigration, Political Attitudes and Values, Race and Culture, Religious Affiliation, Religious Leadership, Social Services, Southern California
CRCC in the NewsDaily Pilot: The Fast-Growing Catholic Diocese of OrangeThe Catholic Diocese of Orange is among the fastest-growing dioceses in the United States, and its strength lies in its diversity, reports the Daily Pilot. “If you look at the Diocese of Orange, …Topics: Catholics and Catholicism, Christians and Christianity, Immigration, Southern California- VideoPico Union Project: An Interfaith Space in Los Angeles
- VideoThe Other Muslim Fringe: Muslim Activism in Europe
CommentaryA Religious Test No One Can PassWe are seeing a rise of government policy predicated on religious illiteracy and religious bigotry. Executive orders are being formed to target Muslims, and border procedures assessing acceptable and unacceptable religious belief …Topics: Government and Religion, Immigration, Muslims and Islam
CommentaryIn Trump Era, Young Muslims Question Respectability Politics of MosquesThis article originally appeared on Religion Dispatches. Possibly this week, President Trump might sign yet another executive order, this time restricting entry to the United States from majority Muslim countries [read a draft …Topics: Creativity and Innovation, Government and Religion, Immigration, LGBT Issues, Muslims and Islam, National and Cultural Identity, Political Attitudes and Values, Race and Culture, Religious Affiliation
CommentaryMuslim Voices Tell Trump ‘What’s Going On’ With Muslims in The AtlanticCRCC Contributing Fellow Rhonda Roumani is one of six Muslim voices responding to Donald Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims coming into the United States in The Atlantic. Here is her contribution: If …Topics: Creativity and Innovation, Immigration, Muslims and Islam, Political Attitudes and Values
CommentaryA Crisis of Integrity in Seoul, the Megachurch Capital of the WorldSeoul, South Korea is the “Megachurch Capital of the World.” Not only is Seoul home to the largest known Protestant church in the universe, Yoido Full Gospel Church, the city has more …Topics: Asia, Catholics and Catholicism, Christians and Christianity, Creativity and Innovation, Economic Inequality, Immigration, Korea, Megachurches, Religious Leadership
CRCC in the NewsThe Economist: Charismatic Christianity Thrives Among People on the MoveThe Economist featured Donald Miller’s work on Pentecostalism in a series of stories in the January 23, 2016 issue. Miller has studied Pentecostal and charismatic renewal movements around the world, and through …Topics: Immigration, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism
CommentaryThe Top Five Religion Trends to Watch in 2016From the rise of evangelical hipsters to the rise of religious “nones,” religion is in a period of flux as we end one year and look forward to the next. Here at …Topics: Black Church, Catholics and Catholicism, Christians and Christianity, Creativity and Innovation, Economic Inequality, Evangelicals and Evangelicalism, Hunger and Food Policy, Immigration, Latinos, LGBT Issues, Megachurches, Millennials, Place and Religion, Political Attitudes and Values, Protests and Uprisings, Race and Culture, Religious "Nones", Religious Leadership, Social Services, Voting and Elections
CommentaryIs the Pope’s Concern for Immigration Just a “Numbers Game”?This post originally appeared on Religion Dispatches. Pope Francis may differ greatly in tone from Pope Benedict, but on many social issues Francis can expect the same pushback his predecessor received in …Topics: Catholics and Catholicism, Immigration, Religious Beliefs and Rituals
CommentaryCould Pope Francis Change Hearts and Minds on Immigration on a Global Scale?This article originally appeared on Washington Post’s Acts of Faith blog. A few months into his papacy, Pope Francis took his first trip out of Rome to Lampedusa, the Italian island through …Topics: Catholics and Catholicism, Europe, Faith-Based Organizations, Immigration, Social Services
“Is Americanization an inevitable influence that needs to be addressed but cannot be changed? Or should Latinas encourage a strong Latino identity among their children as a way of helping them maintain a strong religious identity (or vice versa)? Can Latinos better contribute to U.S. society, if they resist the negative aspects of Americanization?”
—Juan Martinez
CRCC Experts
To schedule an interview with one of our experts, please contact CRCC:
crcc@usc.edu or 213-743-1611
Andrew JohnsonContributing FellowAndrew Johnson is a sociologist who studies religion on the margins of society, with specific interests in religious practice inside of prison, Latin American Pentecostalism and religion in the city.
Juan MartínezContributing FellowJuan Martinez studies the history of Latino Protestantism, Latino Protestant identity and transnational mission among U.S. Latinos.
Donald E. MillerDirector of Strategic InitiativesDonald Miller focuses on global religious trends, genocides of the 20th century, and the role of religious NGOs in addressing issues of moral concern.
Jon MillerSenior Research AssociateJon Miller is a comparative sociologist and director of the international mission photography archive.
Arpi MillerContributing FellowArpi Miller is a sociologist who studies secular and faith-based immigrant advocacy and accompaniment.
Joe PalaciosUniversity FellowJoe Palacios, a sociologist and Catholic priest, studies religion, politics and social justice in Latin America and among immigrants in the United States.
Megan SweasEditor and Director of CommunicationsMegan Sweas is a journalist specializing in social and economic justice issues and world religions.