Abstract

The starting point of this article is the complexity of the current political panorama of religion. In Latin America, religion is present in manifestations of political agents as well as politics are present in religious expressions. Before a diversity of existent models, this article analyzes the Brazilian situation. Religiosity is an indelible characteristic of the Brazilian people. The historic heritage of Catholicism and the growth of Pentecostal Evangelical Churches reveal the laicism of State as an incomplete and fragile process. Civil society presupposes an existence of citizens who are, also, religious. These assumptions raise two fundamental questions: considering that religions are expressions of pluralism of national identities that shape citizenship, how can one give meaning for the presence of religion in politics? How can a religion find its adequate spot in politics without damaging the laicism of State and without secularizing/politicalizing itself? This article contributes to this discussion.