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Tolerance for diverse religious faiths is the basic characteristic trait of Brazil Religion. About 90 percent of the Brazilian population believes in some sort of religions, which are quite a handful in the country.
To begin with, Christianity is considered as the principal Brazil Religion since the16th century, with predominance of Roman Catholicism. Christianity in Brazil was introduced by the missionaries who accompanied the early Portuguese settlers to the country. In fact, Brazil has the largest number of baptized Roman Catholics on earth. Approximately, 74 percent of the total population in Brazil declare themselves as Roman Catholics.
Around 16 percent (28 million) of the Brazilian population are Protestant Christians by faith. Though minority in total head counts, yet they make others feel their presence considerably, through active participation in various Christian festivals.
African and other ingenious religions also form integral parts of Brazil Religion. The African syncretic religions like 'Candonmble' have as many as a few millions of Afro-Brazilian followers. These are people who reside in the metropolitan areas of Brazil, in south-eastern Rio de Janeiro and north-eastern Recife, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Salvador (Bahia). Among other popular West African religions having significant impacts on Brazil Religion is 'Umbanda' which is basically a combination of African, indigenous and Kardecist spirits.
Other world religions forming inseparable parts of Brazilian Religion include Hinduism,Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Ayahuasca, Rastafarian and Shinto. Among them, Judaism had consistent prevalence in Brazil since the 17th century. At present, the religion is widely practiced by Asian, European and a handful of Middle-eastern migrants who are permanent inhabitants of Brazil.
On the whole, the peaceful, side-by-side existence of diverse religious beliefs reflects the lenience of Brazil Religion for embracing varied religious groups on its mainland areas
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