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
- Religious Syncretism in Brazil
- Religious Syncretism in Brazil: Catholicism, Evangelicalism and Candomblé
- Religious Syncretism in Brazil: Catholicism
- Evangelicalism in Brazil
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to examine the cultural factors influencing religious attitudes and practices in Brazil, focusing on the interplay between Catholicism, Evangelicalism, and Candomblé. It utilizes a reflective, dialogic approach rather than a purely scientific methodology.
- Religious syncretism in Brazil
- The historical development of Catholicism in Brazil
- The rise of Evangelicalism in Brazil
- The coexistence of Catholicism and Candomblé
- The adaptation of religious practices to appeal to contemporary audiences.
Chapter Summaries
Religious Syncretism in Brazil: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis, emphasizing a focus on the lived experiences and cultural communication surrounding religious practices in Brazil. It explains the methodological approach, favoring a reflective and dialogic narrative over a strictly scientific, objective method. The author justifies this approach by highlighting the limitations of purely objective methods in capturing the complexity of religious syncretism.
Religious Syncretism in Brazil: Catholicism, Evangelicalism and Candomblé: This chapter introduces the diverse religious landscape of Brazil, highlighting the prominence of Catholicism alongside the presence of other denominations, including Evangelical churches, Spiritism, and Afro-Brazilian religions like Candomblé and Macumba. It explains how enslaved people maintained their African religious beliefs through syncretism with Catholic symbolism and practices. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the current coexistence of Catholicism and Candomblé in a pluralistic society.
Religious Syncretism in Brazil: Catholicism: This chapter delves into the history of Catholicism in Brazil, tracing its introduction by Jesuit missionaries and its role as the dominant religion throughout the colonial period and beyond. It discusses the separation of church and state, the rise and fall of liberation theology, and its intertwining with political events and power structures. The chapter also explores the regional variations in Catholic practices and traditions, highlighting the influence of both European immigration and African and indigenous customs.
Evangelicalism in Brazil: This section examines the rapid growth of Evangelical Christianity in Brazil and its impact on the Catholic Church. It discusses the various Protestant denominations, focusing on the expansion of Pentecostal churches and their competition with Catholicism. The chapter highlights the Catholic Church's response to the rise of Evangelicalism, specifically by adopting more charismatic worship styles to attract younger generations. This adaptive strategy, while successful in reaching new audiences, also creates internal conflict and controversy within the Catholic community regarding the preservation of traditional practices.
Keywords
Religious syncretism, Brazil, Catholicism, Evangelicalism, Candomblé, cultural factors, religious practices, social change, religious adaptation, charismatic movement.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Religious Syncretism in Brazil
What is the main topic of this text?
This text provides a comprehensive overview of religious syncretism in Brazil, focusing on the interplay between Catholicism, Evangelicalism, and Candomblé. It examines the cultural factors influencing religious attitudes and practices, and the historical development of these religions in Brazil.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include religious syncretism in Brazil; the historical development of Catholicism in Brazil; the rise of Evangelicalism in Brazil; the coexistence of Catholicism and Candomblé; and the adaptation of religious practices to appeal to contemporary audiences. The text also emphasizes the limitations of purely objective methods in understanding the complexity of religious syncretism, opting instead for a reflective, dialogic approach.
What is the methodological approach used in this text?
The text employs a reflective and dialogic approach, prioritizing lived experiences and cultural communication over a strictly scientific, objective methodology. This approach is justified by the inherent complexity of religious syncretism, which the author argues is not adequately captured by purely objective methods.
What religions are specifically discussed?
The text focuses primarily on Catholicism, Evangelicalism, and Candomblé. It also mentions other denominations such as Spiritism and Macumba, highlighting their presence within the diverse religious landscape of Brazil and their interactions with the dominant religions.
What is the historical context provided for the religions discussed?
The text traces the history of Catholicism in Brazil, from its introduction by Jesuit missionaries during the colonial period to its current state. It also examines the rapid growth of Evangelical Christianity and its impact on the Catholic Church, including the Catholic Church's adaptive strategies in response to this challenge.
How does the text address the coexistence of different religions?
The text explores the coexistence of Catholicism and Candomblé, emphasizing how enslaved people maintained their African religious beliefs through syncretism with Catholic symbolism and practices. It highlights the current pluralistic society in Brazil and the ongoing interactions between these religions.
What are the key takeaways or conclusions of this text?
The text concludes by illustrating the complex and dynamic nature of religious practices in Brazil, highlighting the adaptation and evolution of religious beliefs and practices in response to historical, social, and cultural changes. The significance of syncretism and the limitations of purely objective methodologies in understanding these complex religious phenomena are central takeaways.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include: Religious syncretism, Brazil, Catholicism, Evangelicalism, Candomblé, cultural factors, religious practices, social change, religious adaptation, charismatic movement.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes sections on Religious Syncretism in Brazil, focusing on the interplay between Catholicism, Evangelicalism and Candomblé; a dedicated section on Catholicism in Brazil; and a section on the rise and impact of Evangelicalism in Brazil.
Where can I find chapter summaries?
The provided HTML includes detailed summaries for each chapter, outlining the key content and focus of each section.
- Quote paper
- Prof. Dr. Neil Turner (Author), 2011, Religious Syncretism in Brazil: Catholicism, Evangelicalism and Candomblé, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/165645
