Mexico is known for their strong religious beliefs and more so known

for being majority Catholic, however, it hasnt always been that way. Around

the time of 1200 to 900 B.C. the Olmecs had settled on what is now known

as the Veracruz. Shortly after their arrival many disputes had occurred which

led to separation within the group and many left to settle elsewhere. This

lead to 1000 Native Americans spread all over the land we now know as

Mexico with tribes such as the Mayans, Aztecs, Zapotec, and Mixtec and

created their own religions which are better known as the Mesoamerican

Religions. The idea behind the Mesoamerican Religions is that the tribes

believed strongly in the difference between the living matter and the non-

living matter. One tribe that stood apart was the Aztecs. Within their beliefs

they shared with the other tribes they had created a hierarchy which gave

them better strategies with civil wars and slowly started to take over.

However after the Spaniards arrived, they would bring over their Catholic

faith which would eventually take over.

Once Catholicism ruled nearly all of Mexico many social changes

started occurring. The people in Mexico now felt that were a part of

something larger and felt more untied not only to have one major religion in

Mexico but to also share it with other around the world. Most homes have a

picture of the Virgin Mary and it is something that can unite people together.

It is also very common to find altars in most homes to welcome back those

who have passed away. One of the biggest social developments of

Catholicism is the holidays such as el Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead),
and also the holidays later in the year known as All Saints Days and All

Souls Days. These holidays take over the entire country during this time

and they are so popular that even other countries will mimic these practices.

While all religions have sacred places you can find within their

respected countries, Catholicism was founded in the Middle East. However

the largest know cathedral in the Americas is located in Mexico City where

you can find the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary. It is a

highly visited and famous location that thousands visit each year from all

over the world. The most known sacred locations for Catholicism are found

in Jerusalem and in Bethlehem which are very popular to biblical references

and of which many miracles took place.

Due to the high population of Catholics in Mexico there is a large

backing of the government to help protect everyones right to practice their

own religion. In the late 1800s however there was conflict brought by the

United Stated during their expansion of land. The United States wanted to

try and not only take land away from Mexico but also wanted to control their

religion. The president of Mexico at the time, Porfirio Diaz lashed back and

threatened that he would take them to war if they did not back off and let

the people choose which religion they would like. Shortly after the United

States backed down and agreed to people choose what they wanted to

believe in. These days it is very common to find the Virgin Mary throughout

government offices.
 Religion is so diverse and many people have such large disputes and

even create war over what is right or wrong. I think the Catholicism brings

Mexico together and is something everyone can be unite over and can

celebrate. Their celebrations that have been created around their religion

have been so impactful that other places around the world are getting

involved. Their religion doesnt believe in war or hate but to be faithful to a

superior god and to love and respect one another. I believe because of the

ideas within the religion Mexico will always have something every can unite

around and share together.