The Social Functions and Dysfunctions of Brazilian Immigrant Congregations in “terra incognita”

Abstract

Ethnic congregations are often considered safe havens for immigrants. This is supported by a large body of literature showing that many religious congregations in diasporic contexts help immigrants maintain their ethnic group identity and cohesion, build social capital, and adapt more smoothly to life in an unfamiliar society. The role of ethnic congregations in the lives of immigrants is, however, complex and multifaceted, and some recent research suggests that, in some ways, these congregations may inhibit their adaptation to the larger society and arouse tensions among the very immigrant communities they intend to help. In light of these varying observations, we seek to explore the functions—and potential dysfunctions—that ethnic congregations have among Brazilians who have immigrated to central Texas. Using data drawn in 2013 from participant observation and 16 in-depth interviews conducted in two Brazilian evangelical congregations, we find that respondents perceive that their congregations strengthen their feelings of attachment to Brazilian culture and language and foster the development of social capital within to the Brazilian immigrant community. At the same time, however, some respondents acknowledge that church members can become overly dependent on their congregations and isolated from the larger society, leaving them susceptible to potential exploitation at the hands of more established co-ethnics within the congregation.

Religious Engagement within Refugee Resettlement in Canada: Lessons to Learn

“…Likewise, social capital theory becomes a critical lens to view how refugees still segregate from other communities. Several scholars (Allen, 2010;Lamba & Krahn, 2003;Moghissi et al, 2009;Serrao & Cavendish, 2018) who discuss the involvement of faith-based communities in providing social services for refugees have applied social capital theory to explain the way interconnectedness be built through bonding, bridging, and linking creation during the resettlement that leads to the integration process.…”

Haitian parishioners in a Chilean parish: The role of Haitian Catholicism and ethnic cultural features

“…Nevertheless, participation in ethnic churches can produce another effect: isolation from the host society. There is evidence among immigrants who participate in ethnic churches that experience a twofold effect: on one hand, they can establish strong social relations and networks with other connatural immigrants of the church; on the other hand, if participation and social networks are mainly present among people of the same national or cultural background, it can produce distance and isolation from host society (Brazal and Guzman, 2016;Ryan, 2016;Serrao and Cavendish, 2018;Tsang, 2015). In this sense, participation and time spent in social or religious activities in the church diminish the time and opportunities available for making contacts and interacting with native people.…”

“…In this sense, participation and time spent in social or religious activities in the church diminish the time and opportunities available for making contacts and interacting with native people. Indeed, Serrao and Cavendish (2018) have demonstrated that social isolation from host society can be found among immigrants with scarce knowledge of the language of the host country, with very long workday -for example, with people who work in low-paid jobs such as cleaning -and who are very active participants in the church and spend all their leisure time in its activities. The above features of immigrants who might suffer from social isolation provide new evidence about life in ethnic churches.…”

Immigrant Evangelicalism in the COVID-19 Crisis: Reactions and Responses from Brazilian Evangelical Churches in Florida

“…Even though many studies deal with the history of US evangelicalism and Brazilian evangelicalism in Brazil, the history of the churches of the Brazilian diaspora in the United States is still understudied. The story of the churches of the Brazilian diaspora begins with the history of Brazilian immigration to the United States, which influenced the creation of several Brazilian immigrant churches in the country (Chaves 2017 ; Freston 2008b ; Rodrigues 2012 ; Rodrigues 2016 ; Serrao and Cavendish 2018 ).…”