Otredades (no) religiosas

This contribution to the discussion about people without religion examines some of the challenges and characteristics of this growing population in Latin America. The central argument I develop is that, although traditionally considered a residual category, the population without religious affiliation deserves to be studied in its own right, recognizing its internal heterogeneity. I also emphasize the importance of developing specific methodologies to study this phenomenon from a perspective situated in the Latin American context, considering factors such as secularization, secularism, and individualization processes; and I venture to challenge traditional prejudices about this population, noting that religious disaffiliation does not necessarily imply social disinterest or lack of community values. With this, I maintain that it is necessary to rethink analytical categories and develop more flexible definitions that capture the diversity of experiences in the Latin American context, recognizing the complexity of the contemporary religious field beyond traditional views.