Chasing Religion in the Caribbean

Focusing on ten islands through the Caribbean, this ethnography examines how charismatic religious leaders develop creative transnational religious networking strategies that help spread the movement and increase its potential to become a greater force in shaping the future in the English-speaking Caribbean. The large and explosive global Charismatic movement spread in powerful ways in the small and tranquil English-speaking Caribbean. It is here in the deep Caribbean world of demonic possessions, spiritual demons, and supernatural healers where the Charismatic movement continues to shape a resilient culture. Placing the Charismatic movement in the realm of culture provides some highly surprising findings that reveal the potential of a religious movement and its ability for change in a late-modern social world. 

“The book to be accessible to those interested in investigation and analysis over method. … What Marina does bring is essential ethnographic insight into Pentecostalism in the English-speaking Caribbean … . He gives voice to bishops, apostles, and pastors as they articulate their challenges and successes in this under-researched region.” (Marcia Clarke, Pneuma, Vol. 39 (3), 2017) 

“A richly descriptive ethnography, a fascinating story ... . Marina clearly describes and explains how the Pentecostal movement landed on the shores of the Caribbean and spread throughout a number of islands in the region, and how the movement has been able to maintain charisma in the face of modern rationalizing forces. He shows how Pentecostalism in the Caribbean must be seen as a creative cultural response to collectively experienced structural problems, and outlines how it continues to act as a form of resistance to various forms of institutional domination. Methodologically, Marina moves beyond conventional methods of qualitative research and delves deep into the fabric of the culture he has studied ... . This book is certain to make major contributions to a variety of scholarly fields.” (Barry Spunt, Associate Professor of Sociology at City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, USA, and author of “Heroin and Music in New York City”)

“What James Baldwin in his Go Tell It on the Mountain is to Harlem Pentecostalism, Peter Marina is to Caribbean Pentecostalism in Chasing Religion in the Caribbean. His book is a brilliant, soulful ethnography with the excitement of analytical fireworks. Will you rise above the ethnographic ordinary? Start here.” (Tony Carnes, Editor, “A Journey through NYC Religions”)

“Marina’s ethnographic work on Pentecostalism in the Caribbean is outstanding. There are several features that make this book required reading for researchers of Pentecostalism including his descriptive accounts of a range of practices like healing, exorcism, speaking in tongues, social engagement, and many other features. The book fills an important gap in our understanding of the global phenomenon of Pentecostalism with its wide coverage in a region where very little is known.” (Michael Wilkinson, Professor of Sociology, Trinity Western University, Canada)<

“With this intimate, lively account of Pentecostalism in the Caribbean, Marina takes the reader right to the heart of the revival experience. Marina's book is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary religion, but more importantly: this book will move you.” (Sarah Daynes, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA)

Peter Marina is Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, USA. His research specializes in sociology of religion, transgressive sociology, urban ethnography, criminology, Hispanic immigration, and city life, among other topics.  

Stephen D. Glazier contributed the foreword. He is Graduate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA. He is the general editor of The Encyclopedia of African and African American Religions (2001) and a founding member of the editorial board of the journal PentecoStudies.