RELIGIOUS RACISM: THE CRIMINALIZATION OF RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE IN BRAZILIAN CRIMINAL LAW

Anderson Silva Dias

This work intends to analyze the issue of Religious Intolerance, the criminalization of religious intolerance in Brazilian criminal law, and through this examination, evaluate its consequences and social impacts. For this purpose, bibliographic and documentary research was conducted, using the compilation or bibliographic method, which consists of presenting the thoughts of various authors who have written on the chosen topic.

The research is justified by the relevance that the matter of urban religiosity, therefore social, has acquired in the history of Brazil and particularly in contemporary times. It is also justified because religion is a "social fact" and, consequently, a central aspect of Brazilian culture. Therefore, it is essential to know, study, and analyze some concepts related to the subject since it is a constitutional prerogative and a recognized principle of Human Rights that guarantees everyone's freedom of belief.

The general objective of the study is to verify, under Brazilian law, the issue of Religious Intolerance and its consequences. The specific objectives are to define and characterize the concepts of Tolerance, Intolerance, and Religious Freedom; analyze Brazilian legislation regarding Religious Freedom; examine the main cases of Religious Intolerance recorded in Brazil; and assess the impacts that such behaviors can trigger in Brazilian society.

Religious intolerance is a form of prejudice based on religion. Generally, religious intolerance manifests itself through discrimination, desecration, and aggression. "Unfortunately, religious intolerance is still a reality that afflicts communities worldwide. In Brazil, this problem is mainly related to racism because religious intolerance is practiced on a larger scale against followers of African-derived religions."