"Holy War" in Brazilian schools


A "holy war" was fought between the parents of 180 children aged 4 and 5 years studying in kindergarten at 404 North in downtown Brasilia. A daily prayer for students before classes begin, is the main reason for discord. On one side is a group of parents requesting the exclusion of religious references in school activities. On the other, those who support the daily ritual and believe that the school board is being pursued.

The discussion began when a complaint on the matter was referred to the Ombudsman of the Department of Education of the Federal District. Every day before school students gather in the schoolyard for the moment called upheld. At this time, are encouraged to make a "spontaneous prayer," as the director Rosimer Albuquerque. Every day, children are responsible for a class to give thanks to God or the "Father of Heaven." "You can thank the playground by their peers. But there was one question on the part of parents to be a time to welcome a little wider since some families do not share that religion, which would be basically Christian, "says Rosimer, who is in charge of school for six years.

For the radio Eliane Carvalho, a member of the Association of Parents and Teachers of the college, the school is exceeding the limits allowed by law. She and other parents who protest against these activities depend on the constitutional principle of secularism to ask what practices of a religious nature remain outside the school environment. Beyond the moment of acceptance, she said she noticed other signs of tampering, based on information that the 4 year old son brought home.

"I can not say that exist within the classroom religious practices. But my son did not learn at home to pray in Jesus' name. One day he told me the phone to talk to Jesus was to bend the knee to the ground, "says Eliane.

In response to the complaint, a larger group of parents organized a petition in favor of prayer in school and the start of classes. Some claim that the director is being persecuted for being Catholic and active in religious groups. "The way they [teachers and management] are acting is nothing improper or directed to a specific belief. They put the word of God as superior entity, and thank the family. They are only good things, good fruit. Who is bothered is a minority, "argues Thiago Meirelles, who is Catholic and father of a student.

For Carolina Castro, mother of another student, the intent of the school is looking positive and socialization. "I do not think they are dealing with religion itself, but through a sense of appreciation of what is precious in life. I do not think this is religious teaching, "he says.

Eliane Carvalho regrets that the discussion has become polarized. "It's a personal discussion, but curriculum. The group that made the petition came to see us as persecutors of Christians today are seen as absurd people who do not want the word of God in school. Everyone has the right to make their prayers, but I question the fact the school to accept a practice that, to me, is configured to round up the faithful, "he says.

The moment of acceptance is made for 40 years since the school was founded, and is also common in other schools in the network. Last week was the prayer replaced by rhymes and other activities. "Then, yes, like a school, once seemed a church. As a parent who has the obligation to give her daughter a religious orientation, can not allow a discrepancy. The sad thing is that although these people say they are preaching love and respect, they have no respect for my freedom, that no such interference [religious], "said Mafa Nogueira, father of a student.

To solve the problem, the school will convene meetings with parents, teachers, employees and representatives of the Department of Education. "Let's discuss how we can address the plurality and diversity without harming anyone and everyone to leave satisfied. But this controversy is healthy because, as we hear questions from parents who think differently, that's healthy for growth. We can adopt a different stance, structured in what the community thinks, "says the director Rosimer, wearing a neck cord with a crucifix while talking with the report of the Agency Brazil.

The Education Department of the Federal District reported that ignores similar problems in other schools and reiterated that the network directs the units to follow the Law of Directives and Bases of National Education (LDB), which prohibits proselytizing any practice in the school environment.