Religião e poder no centro espírita Anjo Ismael

Abstract

This research, assumed that religion supports and legitimates black s and poor people s power belonging to inferior social classes over privileged white society. Was written on purpose to analyze how religion determines and establishes the relationship of power in the Angel Ismael Spiritualistic Center (Voodoo). The main concepts used were: religion as answer to human anxieties; charisma as supernatural talents; and power as charismatic domination. It was put in perspective that religion has as function the legitimization of power and maintenance of reality. It contributes to the construction of the world when when it legitimates social institutions through sacred thought. Religion can influence society through charismatic power, which makes human activities be understood as supernatural facts. In Voodoo, the charismatic leader, witch-doctor, acts on behalf of the divinities. Thus he maintains his followers under his lash. In the Angel Ismael Spiritualistic Center, which was analyzed in this research, it can be noticed this relationship of power and obedience among the leader and his followers. The latter submit to such an obedience in duty to the divinities. Thus it is observed that the relationship of power invoked by the charismatic is one way of making religion assure its strength before society.