By Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Copacabana Beach witnessed a powerful display of unity as hundreds marched to support religious freedom in Brazil, where cases of intolerance have doubled over the past six years.
The March for the Defense of Religious Freedom, now in its 17th consecutive year, drew participants from more than a dozen faiths. Men, women, and children representing various religious traditions joined forces to address the growing concern of religious intolerance in the country.
Practitioners of Afro-Brazilian religions, who have recently faced increased attacks from members of Christian groups, were prominently represented in the march. Brazil’s newly appointed Minister for Human Rights, Macaé Evaristo, participated in the event, underscoring its significance.
“The great challenge today in our country is to reduce inequality,” Evaristo told the state-run Agencia Brasil news agency. “It is very important to be present in this march, because the people here are also struggling for many things like decent work and a life free from hunger.”
Rio de Janeiro state, home to a quarter of Brazil’s practitioners of Afro-Brazilian religions, has seen a surge in evangelical Christianity, particularly neo-Pentecostal churches founded since 1970. While most proselytizing is peaceful, experts note a concurrent rise in intolerance towards traditional African-influenced religions.
Vania Vieira, a practitioner of the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé, emphasized the importance of the march: “Everything that comes from Black people, everything that comes from people of African origin is devalued; if we are not firm in our faith, we will lose strength. This walk is to show that we are standing, that we will survive.”
Despite constitutional protections for religious freedom, Brazil has seen a 140% increase in complaints of religious intolerance between 2018 and 2023, according to government data. Incidents range from verbal abuse and discrimination to the destruction of temples and forced expulsion from neighborhoods.
Brazilian law stipulates that those convicted of religious intolerance crimes can face up to five years in prison and fines. However, the rising number of incidents highlights the ongoing challenge in enforcing these protections and fostering a climate of religious tolerance.
As the march concluded, participants expressed hope that their united stand would raise awareness and promote greater understanding among Brazil’s diverse religious communities. The event serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in a nation grappling with rising intolerance amidst its rich cultural and spiritual tapestry.
Source: apnews.com
