SANTOS, M. R. B.; SANTOS, Maria Rykarya Brandão dos.
Abstract:
When referring to religious aspects and their representations, it enters into recurrent and somewhat complex discussions when considering the individuality of each belief. Thus, this work aims to analyze the representations of the Secular State in the speech of members of the Legislative Branch of the cities of Serra Branca, São João do Cariri, São José dos Cordeiros, Juazeirinho, Sumé and Boa Vista, in Cariri Paraibano. Therefore, it is a fact that symbologies of Christian nature, such as the crucifix are somehow accessible to the population, in addition to invocations of divine protection before and after the legislatures process, that is, under the protection of religious freedom, as it is establish in the Federal Constitution, in which those are uttered in Public Officers as well. As a consequence, it causes a feeling of non-representation in some part of the population that does not adhere to Christian religions, such as the followers of Umbanda and Candomblé. Furthermore, the research was carried out through a virtual questionnaire, which was directed to members of the Legislative Branch of cities of the Cariri Paraibano. Additionally, with the use of the data analysis, the concept of Secular State, (which is expressed in the Constitution), will be discussed, also inquiries of theorists of the field will be taken in consideration, afterwards, a discussion of the concept of Public Space will be approached, in which discussions and theoretical concepts of scholars in the field will be taken into account in order to relate and problematize both discussions. In short, after analyzing the data, it will be possible to note that the prohibition of religious symbols in public spheres should not occur, as it is guaranteed by the Constitution as the right to religious freedom. Moreover, through this academic research carried out regarding those issues, reflections to what extent this type of religious representation could be allowed in public spaces when considering the state secularism will be covered, in addition to the possibility of inserting new symbologies, such as those of Afro-Brazilian religions as a way of making followers of these religious groups to feel as represented in these spheres of public access, as the followers of the Christian religion, in which already experience such representation.