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The Brazilian Constitution guarantees absolute freedom of religion. With the proclamation of the Republic in 1889, Brazil ceased to have an official religion, although in 1980 nearly 90 percent of the population declared themselves to be Roman Catholic. Recently Protestant groups in Brazil have been growing in number. Today there are sizable memberships in independent Pentecostal churches. There are also followers of mainstream Protestant denominations from Europe and the United States such as Episcopal, Methodist, Lutheran, and Baptist. There are over a million and a half Spiritists or Kardecists who follow the doctrines of the 19th century French psychic researcher, Allan Kardec (central to Spiritism is the belief in reincarnation). Brazil's diversity includes converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons); small minorities of Jews, Moslems, and Buddhists; and numerous adherents of candomblé.
Candomblé is a religion that was brought to Brazil by the Yoruba slaves from Nigeria and Benin. Today many Brazilians from every social and economic group participate in both Catholicism and candomblé. To the slave-owners and Catholic officials, African slaves were heathens to be converted. To that end, the masters prohibited their rituals. In order to continue their traditional practices while still appeasing their owners, slaves coupled their animistic deities with corresponding personalities in Catholicism. Oxalá, a male god of procreation and harvest, for instance, was identified with Jesus. Iemanjá, goddess of the sea, was associated with "Our Lady of Conception". Throughout the year, the two religions had many corresponding festivals. While the slaves kept their traditional observances (some native Indian beliefs were also added to candomblé), their owners celebrated too, apparently convinced that they and their slaves were practicing one faith. The Catholic Church was content to let matters lie, hoping that, over the years, African tradition would eventually die out and that Christian beliefs would be strengthened. This has not been the case. Candomblé is practiced all over Brazil. Umbanda, a religion derived from candomblé coupled with the Christian and spiritist beliefs found in Kardecism, is also practised widely.
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