A inserção do presbiterianismo em Recife : a nova prática religiosa e seus discursos no contexto de limitação (1873-1888)

Abstract

From the mid-19th century, Protestant missionaries, men and women, contributed to the expansion of the Brazilian religious mosaic. Through its coming, a new religious practice settled in the country and the discussion that settled on the protestant presence promoted significant changes in the legislation of the Empire. This work approaches fragments of the history of Presbyterians in Recife from the 1870s until 1888, when the first synod occurred, establishing the Presbyterian Church of Brazil. Through comparative analysis, from the perspective of Cultural History, it was observed how cultural, social, political and religious issues determined the development of the new religious practice in Recife, and enabled the favorable conditions for the presence of the denomination in the province of Pernambuco. Through the research, it was possible to understand how the tactics and strategies developed by the denomination were important to propagate their doctrine and acquire followers through their proselytizing actions. However, Brazil was an officially Catholic country, and as a result there were conflicts and tensions between the Roman Church with Presbyterians and Freemasons, who was one of the representatives of liberal thought in the nineteenth century. It was noted that the escalation of the religious crisis in the country was influenced by the battles of the Holy See with liberal thinking and its unfolding. It was concluded that the Presbyterians used the opportunities occasioned by religious tolerance, acquired during the imperial period, and thus entered and occupied various localities in the country. In addition to the distribution of Bibles and printed materials, which were the main means of access and dissemination of the denomination, it was observed their collaboration in the process of change in the immigration laws, as well as in the proclamation of the Republic and in the formation of the secular State.