A LAICIDADE DO ESTADO E A DEFESA DAS PRÁTICAS RELIGIOSAS MINORITÁRIAS NO BRASIL

Abstract

This article addresses secularism in Brazil, focusing on the separation between State and Church and the challenges faced by religious freedom, especially in the face of persistent religious intolerance and religious racism. The objective of the study is to analyze the tensions between religious pluralism and religious intolerance in Brazil, focusing on communities of African origin, and to propose measures to promote secularism and the protection of religious minorities. The research uses a qualitative approach, with bibliographical analysis of doctrine, jurisprudence and official documents, in addition to reviewing specific cases of religious intolerance. The results reveal that secularism in Brazil faces challenges in its full application, particularly in the context of Afro-Brazilian religions, which suffer from practices of exclusion and prejudice, as expressly evidenced in the cases of removal of terreiros and judicialization of religious practices, highlighting racism. and the limitation of the religious rights of minorities. The effective implementation of secularism requires educational actions, the expansion of complaint channels and the creation of inclusive public policies that recognize and respect minority religious traditions. Finally, accountability and the promotion of interreligious dialogue are fundamental to deconstructing prejudices and protecting religious communities in accordance with the Constitution and human rights.