Varieties of Non-ordinary Experiences in Brazil—a Critical Review of the Contribution of Studies of ‘Religious Experience’ to the Study of Religion
International Journal of Latin American Religions May 19, 2017 B. Schmidt 26 citations
Although 64.6% of Brazilians identify as Roman Catholic in the national census, this self-identification does not reflect actual religious practice or belief. Many Brazilians who call themselves Christian also participate in diverse non-ordinary experiences—perceived as religious, spiritual, or extraordinary—drawn from various Brazilian traditions. This article reviews studies of such experiences in Brazil, arguing that they are essential for understanding the country's religious landscape beyond official census categories.