Talk:Protestantism in Puerto Rico

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Present situation

I would like that the writer of the article state a reference for this line " According to The San Juan Star, 40% of Puerto Ricans are Protestant, 40% are Catholic." All references I find (eg, CIA Factbook, other online resources, everyone I ask about in PR, etc.) clearly define the Roman Catholic Church as a majority. If a refernce is not given I will proceed to delete the above line. Joelito 21:35, 7 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Dear Joelito:

The San Juan Star has a page of statistics about Puerto Rico which it publishes regularly, providing this information; I did state that estimates vary widely. The Puerto Rico Evangélico commissioned a survey several years ago, from which it came to this conclusion (Go to the Evangelical Seminary in Rio Piedras, ask for it. The investigator was Angel Gutierrez). Published statistics usually are behind the demographic reality. Have you seen recent religious statistics about the rest of Latin America? Do you think we are behind in this change? Do you really believe the Ponce, Mayaguez, etc Catholic dioceses'reports that they have 80% of the population? If the Arecibo and San Juan dioceses say they have 60% of the population and they count on the basis of Baptisms, as if no one in their lifetimes converted, then you must conclude they have no more than 50% tops! It doesn't matter much if you don't accept these statistics, sooner or later, the percentage will be reached (I admit they might be overstated. I reckon 25% is the base, 45% tops, but there are no real scientific surveys!). See also Pablo Deirós Protestantismo en América Latina. Editorial Caribe 1997, p. 176. In a table taken from Johnston, Operation World, he states for 1995 that PR was 28% Prot. and that the PERCENTAGE would double in 15 years, =2010, if present trends continue. I know most people in Puerto Rico are not aware of the strength of the change; perhaps only those who pay political polls know. Do you have access to any in the big parties? They should know. aag 9 oct 05