THE religious intolerance it is characterized when a person or institution does not accept the religion or belief of another individual or a country.
This attitude manifests itself from criticism in the private sphere, to jokes, verbal and physical aggression, attacks on places of worship and even murder.
In the case of the State, religious intolerance can be manifested in laws that criminalize the practices of a religion or its prohibition.
religious intolerance in Brazil
Religious intolerance in Brazil began with the implantation of the Catholic religion by the Portuguese. Throughout the country's history, we have seen cases of intolerance by Catholics against indigenous and African beliefs and, later, against Protestant Christian denominations.
Likewise, the Catholic Church was also persecuted when its property was confiscated and, recently, when its symbols are attacked.
Colonial Period (1530-1815)
During the colonial period, the Catholic religion did not admit any other religion and indigenous beliefs came to be seen as evil and, therefore, despised.
With the arrival of enslaved blacks, the same attitude was repeated. To escape persecution from lords and clergy, blacks used the images of Catholic saints in their ceremonies when in fact they were worshiping their orixás. Thus began the relationship between the syncretism and Afro-Brazilian religions.
Johannine Period (1808-1820)
With the move of the Royal Family to Brazil, in 1808, there was the "Openning of the Ports to Friendly Nations". With this decree, several Englishmen arrived in Brazil causing an impact on the country's religious scene.
After all, the English, Protestants, had to be buried in cemeteries different from Catholics. In several cities in Brazil it is common to have a “Cemetery of the English” for Protestants of various denominations and Jews.
First Reign (1822-1831)
During the Empire, the Catholic religion was declared official by the Constitution of 1824. This meant that no other religion could hold public services. Likewise, the places intended for the meetings could not have, externally, symbols that would identify them as a temple.
Second Reign (1840-1889)
Also, in the Second Reign, the increase in German immigration provided the arrival of Lutheran pastors who opened their temples to serve the new communities.
An emblematic case is that of the Lutheran Church of Petrópolis (RJ), whose Emperor Dom Pedro II himself contributed to its construction.
Republican Period (1889 - to the present day)
With the arrival of the republic, in 1889, there was the separation of Church and State enshrined in the Constitution of 1891. In 1903, the law that prevented non-Catholic churches from having “church” characteristics was revoked and in this way several non-Catholic Christian places of worship were raised.
This is not to say that religious intolerance has ended, as the Catholic Church itself had several assets confiscated by the government. On the other hand, Catholic clergy persecuted Baptist and Methodist pastors.
However, those who suffered most from religious intolerance were African-based religions. Pursued by the police, practitioners had to hide or endure raids and prison sentences for being gathered in their religious ceremonies.
Recently, some members of neo-Pentecostal churches are committing acts of vandalism against the Catholic Church and Afro-Brazilian religions.
Destruction of images of saints in Catholic temples has already been reported, as well as attacks on Candomblé and Umbanda terreiros.
religious intolerance in the world
Religious intolerance around the world is evident against the Jews, a monotheistic people among tribes that practiced paganism.
Likewise, the Roman Empire was intolerant of the growth of Christianity in its territory, persecuting and killing Christians.
However, once it was legalized and admitted as the religion of the Empire, it is the turn of Christians to become intolerant of pagans, Jews and, later, Muslims.
The State can also promote religious intolerance. An example would be the communist countries, which emerged after World War II, which did not admit the existence of religion in their territory. This led to persecution, closures of temples and schools, as well as the death of many believers.
Currently, state religious intolerance manifests itself in countries that adopt Islam as their official religion. In these countries, it is common for Christians to be prohibited from practicing their faith and to be condemned for it.
Likewise, some groups of radical Muslims have decided to exterminate people who do not follow the same line of thought. This is true for people of other faiths as well as for moderate Muslims.
Is religious intolerance a crime?
Religious intolerance can lead the individual to commit criminal acts that may offend the practitioners of a religion. That would be a case of religious discrimination.
In Brazil, religious discrimination is a crime provided for in Law No. 7716, of January 5, 1989, amended by Law No. 9,459, of May 15, 1997.
Also, since December 27, 2007, the "National Day to Combat Religious Intolerance" has been celebrated on January 21st. The day was chosen as it coincides with the death of the yalorixá Mother Gilda, in 2000. After her terreiro was attacked and destroyed, the priestess' health worsened and she died.
On this date, it is common for representatives of different religions to march in order to draw attention to this issue.
The key to fighting religious intolerance is knowledge and respect. After all, even if a person or a State does not agree with their religion, it is necessary to learn to live with the differences.
We have more texts on the subject for you:
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- Preconception
- Discrimination
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