Observatório do Estado Laico
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Ideas in circulation

Opinion Articles

Analysis and debate on secularism, freedom of conscience, religion, politics, and fundamental rights.

8 articles found

Crowd at the March for Jesus in São PauloOctober 2, 2025 · Folha de S.PauloHow migration fueled the evangelical boomA study of how migration flows and churches’ capacity for expansion transformed Brazil’s religious market.Read article →Religious service with worshippers and leaders gathered togetherSeptember 24, 2025 · American Economic AssociationTax breaks and the composition of religious marketsHow apparently neutral tax benefits can favor particular models of religious organization and produce political effects.Read article →People raising their hands during a religious serviceJune 16, 2025 · EstadãoThe evangelical Brazil that challenges the leftWhy Brazilian Pentecostal identity spans income groups and cannot be reduced to an explanation based solely on poverty.Read article →Worshippers raising their hands during a religious serviceJune 7, 2025 · Folha de S.PauloWhy evangelical growth has stalled—and is unlikely to returnBrazil’s 2022 Census points to a slowdown and reveals the limits of an expansion model based on opening new churches.Read article →Hearing at Brazil’s Federal Supreme CourtMay 22, 2025 · JOTAShould the Bible be mandatory in public library collections? NoAn analysis of ADI 5255 and the risks of public authorities favoring one religious tradition over other beliefs and worldviews.Read article →Religious demonstration during a political sessionMay 4, 2025 · O GloboThe risks of mixing religion and politics in the Electoral CodeA proposed reform could turn places of worship into campaign venues and deepen inequalities in electoral competition.Read article →Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court building in BrasíliaFebruary 10, 2025 · JOTAThe challenge of regulating confessional religious education amid religious diversityRequiring accreditation by religious authorities may exclude beliefs without hierarchical structures and undermine equality in public education.Read article →Person holding a Bible on their lapJanuary 17, 2025 · Folha de S.PauloShould tax exemptions for religious organizations be expanded? NoExpanded tax benefits may disproportionately favor some denominations and reinforce a cycle of religious and political influence.Read article →