Conversão e consumo religioso nas novas religiões japonesas: a igreja messiânica e a perfect liberty

Abstract

From the second half of 20th century on, Brazilian religious scenery has undergone a particular phenomenon: the expansion of New Japanese Religions (NJR). In the beginning, it took place, specially, among Japanese immigrants and their descendents in rural areas. By overcoming the hindrances caused by the cultural and linguistic differences, the NJR has gradually spread among the Brazilian population in urban areas. This article provides an account of some aspects of two NJR - Sekai Kyusei Kyô (which is known in Brazil as “Igreja Messiânica”) and Perfect Liberty - and discusses relevant themes to Sociology of Religion. The first part brings some issues about NJR in general in Japan, their characteristics and the appearance of Sekai Kyusei Kyo and Perfect Liberty in Brazil. The later one focuses on the activities of these religions relating them to conversion and religious consumption.