RELIGION IN THE PUBLIC SPACE: IMPLICATIONS IN THE FIELD OF POLITICS AND MORALITY

Abstract

This article analyzes the intensification of the presence of religion in the Brazilian public sphere, particularly since the process of re-democratization and more strongly during the first two decades of the 21st century. Based on a theoretical framework that articulates the works of Habermas, Taylor, Bourdieu, Dutra, Machado, and Santos, the study discusses the tension between state secularism, religious freedom, and democracy in plural societies. It draws on recent data from the Quaest Institute, which highlight both the influence of faith on electoral choices and the high credibility of churches as social institutions. The argument is that religion significantly impacts the political field and shapes the moral frameworks that affect Brazilian society. The conclusion is that the challenge for Brazilian democracy lies in balancing religious freedom with state neutrality, thereby ensuring a plural, critical, and inclusive public sphere.