Religion

Religion Brazil traditionally has been a strong Roman Catholic country. At one time, nearly 95 percent of the population claimed membership in the Catholic Church. However, membership has dropped to around 70 percent, and other Christian churches are growing rapidly. Since the founding of the republic in 1889, there has been a separation of church and state, and religious freedom has been guaranteed. Although Brazilians consider themselves quite religious, most attend church only on special occasions. Some people in the northeast and in urban countrywide practice Afro-Brazilian religions that combine various indigenous African beliefs with Catholicism. These Afro-Brazilian religions, such as Candomble, Macumba, and Xango, share many similarities.