ABSTRACT
What follows is an attempt to examine cultural factors, not by arranging abstracted entities into unified patterns but by taking into account the cultural forms by means of which Brazilians communicate, perpetuate and develop their attitudes toward life. As a result, this paper addresses the formations of social phenomenon as it relates to religion in Brazil but within the context of people living out their daily lives. Notwithstanding, it might be said that this work is unscientific in that it contains impressions, feelings and emotions expressed in a narrative form. For the social sciences have longed ago prohibited writing in the first person in scientific reporting and the insertion of my own direct experiences would only tend to corrupt any attempt at objectivity. However, I have chosen to incorporate a reflective, dialogic approach that proclaims an appreciation of the fieldwork experience rather than conduct formal interviews in controlled settings or use second hand materials as a primary source.
Table of Contents
1. Religious Syncretism in Brazil: Catholicism, Evangelicalism and Candomblé
2. Evangelicalism in Brazil
3. Syncretism in Brazil
4. Religious Pluralism
Objectives and Themes
This work examines the complex religious landscape of Brazil, specifically focusing on the interaction and syncretism between Roman Catholicism, the rapidly growing Evangelical movement, and the African-derived tradition of Candomblé. The author utilizes a reflective, narrative approach to explore how these belief systems coexist, adapt to social pressures, and influence the daily lives and political engagement of Brazilians.
- The historical evolution of Catholicism and its political entwinement in Brazil.
- The growth of Evangelicalism and its impact on social and political dynamics.
- The cultural and spiritual significance of Candomblé and its connection to nature.
- The unique role of Spiritism and the phenomenon of religious syncretism.
- The sociological implications of female leadership within Candomblé.
Excerpt from the Book
Syncretism in Brazil
One Sunday in 2007, when my wife and I were living in the bairro of Itapuã which is situated near the airport of Salvador, I was home alone. My wife left out early that day to visit with friends and to take care of some personal business. It was a normal Sunday like so many other Sundays, bright sunshine, blues skies, birds singing in the distance, quiet and peaceful. I received a telephone call from a friend that asked if I would like to attend a festival at the house of his sister. At the time, I did not know that my friend's sister was a devout follower of Candomblé and thought that it was simply a festival like other festivals that occur in Brazil at this time of the year. I explained that I was waiting for my wife to return and was not sure if I would be able to attend. In turn, he placed a call to my wife to ask her if it would be alright for me to attend and that they would swing by our apartment and pick me up. Of course, she replied that it would be good for me to experience more of the cultural side of Brazil. So, they made arrangements to pass by our apartment and pick me up to accompany them to the festival.
When I arrived at the home of my friend's sister, the first thing that caught my attention was a group of drummers vigorously playing music, singing and dancing in the street in front of the house. I stopped for a short time to listen and tried my best to blend into the crowd and not appear as an estrangeiro (foreigner). As I entered the house, I could see that the house was filled with people, children playing, running back and forth, people sitting in the sala (living room) watching television, people sleeping in other rooms, and a kitchen filled with women cooking, talking, laughing and making food preparations for the festival.
Summary of Chapters
Religious Syncretism in Brazil: Catholicism, Evangelicalism and Candomblé: This chapter provides an overview of the religious multiplicity in Brazil, tracing the historical dominance of Roman Catholicism and its transition from colonial imposition to its modern institutional struggle.
Evangelicalism in Brazil: This section details the rapid expansion of Evangelical and Pentecostal movements, highlighting their success in connecting with middle and lower-class populations through social engagement and adaptation.
Syncretism in Brazil: This chapter presents a personal, narrative account of attending a Candomblé festival, which serves as a foundation for explaining the ritualistic, animistic, and nature-oriented tenets of the religion.
Religious Pluralism: This final section synthesizes how the coexistence of Catholicism, Evangelicalism, Candomblé, and Spiritism creates a uniquely pluralistic society characterized by ongoing social, political, and cultural shifts.
Keywords
Brazil, Religious Syncretism, Catholicism, Evangelicalism, Candomblé, Spiritism, Liberation Theology, Bahia, Cultural Identity, Social Transformation, Animism, Religious Pluralism, Ritual, Orishas, Female Leadership
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this publication?
The work explores the diverse and evolving religious landscape of Brazil, analyzing how different faiths coexist and influence the social and political fabric of the nation.
Which specific religious groups are highlighted?
The study primarily focuses on Roman Catholicism, various Evangelical and Protestant denominations, Candomblé, and Spiritism.
What is the author's primary research goal?
The goal is to examine cultural factors and social phenomena related to religion by using a narrative, reflective approach rather than traditional, impersonal social science methods.
What methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a reflective, dialogic fieldwork approach, incorporating personal experiences and observations rather than formal interviews or secondary literature as primary evidence.
What aspects of the religious landscape are examined in the main body?
The text covers the historical roots of Catholicism, the rapid growth of the Evangelical movement, the symbolic and ritualistic nature of Candomblé, and the official recognition of Spiritism.
Which terms define this work?
Key terms include religious syncretism, social and political transitions, cultural preservation, liberation theology, and religious pluralism.
How does Candomblé maintain its traditions?
Candomblé preserves its identity through a deep connection to nature, specific liturgical rules for food and ritual, and the persistence of oral traditions across different "nations."
What is the significance of female leadership in Candomblé?
Candomblé is unique among African-based religions in the Western hemisphere for its high proportion of female leaders, who govern temples and maintain the spiritual and cultural balance of the community.
How does the author characterize the influence of Chico Xavier?
The author views Chico Xavier as a fundamental figure whose extensive body of work through psychography helped establish Spiritism as a recognized and legitimate religion in Brazil.
What role does politics play in Brazil's religious environment?
Politics is deeply entwined with religion; Catholic influence has historically been linked to liberation theology, while modern Evangelical groups have become a powerful, active voting bloc influencing national legislation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Prof. Dr. Neil Turner (Autor:in), 2011, Religious Syncretism in Brazil: Catholicism, Evangelicalism and Candomblé, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/165645
