Brazilian religion plays a major function in the lives of many in South America’s largest country. About ninety percent of Brazilians claim some kind of religion. In 1891 the Brazilian Republican Constitution was established and Brazil no longer had an “official” religion. Just like the USA, Brazil can practice freedom of religion because of the newest constitution that was adopted in 1988. Below are the 5 most popular religions in Brazil right now:
Catholicism – Roman Catholicism has been the main religion in Brazil since the 16th century. The greatest number of Catholics on the planet are in Brazil. They did not have religious freedom during the colonial times. At that time, anyone settling in Brazil was forced to be a Roman Catholic. The church also forced the citizens to pay taxes to them. The Roman Catholics stayed in power until 1824. Nonetheless, even together with the first freedom of religion constitution in 1824, Roman Catholicism was regarded as the official religion of Brazil. Over 70% of Brazilians declare themselves Roman Catholics.
Although there’s freedom of religion and Catholicism isn’t forced on Brazilians, government officials stay clear of doing anything that might be considered as an offense to the church. The Catholic church plays a big role in social and political causes throughout the country. Throughout the country’s military regime, the progressive clergy has been the primary source in the defense of human rights.
Protestantism – Christianity is the second biggest Brazilian religion. Those that are Christian but not Catholic are regarded as Protestant. There are numerous branches of Christianity in Brazil. The most common Christian branches are: Baptist, Methodist, Neo-Pentecostalists, Old Pentecostalists, Presbyterian and the Anglican Episcopal Church
Other Protestant beliefs and offshoots that make up smaller groups of “Christians” are Kardecist and Lutherans. The biggest population of Protestants are in North, Central-West and Southeast Brazil.
The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – It is the third biggest religion in Brazil. They boast a membership of over 1 million with almost 2,000 congregations and 309 family centers. Five of their temples are stretched across Brazil.
Jehovah’s Witnesses – They are considered the fourth largest religion in Brazil. They have more than 700,000 members.
Eastern Orthodox – This religion makes up the fifth biggest religion in Brazil with more than 500,000 members that are largely made up of Armenian, Greek, Lebanese, Russian, Syrian and Ukrainian immigrants came to Brazil in the last hundred years.
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