Religion, Violence and Mexico

Mexico has an outstanding fame in violence. Along with an ever growing wealth gap, social injustice and a brutal narco war; it makes the powerless the biggest recipient of violence and inequity. As a consequence of their social status the poorest are easy targets to become either criminals or victims of crimes such as abuse, kidnapping, displacing and systematic violence. Being left without legal protection, kept silent and excluded from formal society they look for hope in several deities. Faith is an essential tool for their survival. Their extreme need for religiosity is often contented by alternative cults and rituals which adapted to fit their special needs and circumstances. These beliefs offer protection in a country ravaged by violence and the followers are not judged for their sins: it does not matter who they are and what they have done before, they can find solace by praying for their life and secular needs. In order to witness these beliver’s intimate moments of devotion I visited the areas of Mexico that are most heavily affected by violence. Picture their imagery and rituals to display the range of expressions of faith that exist in Mexico and how they have been molded by violence.