A “terribly Brazilian” court breathes new life into political conversation

When I heard, under the government of the evangelical couple Bolsonaro and Michelle, about a Supreme Federal Court justice who would be “terribly evangelical,” I felt shame and fear. The shame referred to the utilitarian religious practice by which great and small important theologies are converted into the opening of yet another sole branch of the neighborhood’s latest world church, or into a political party.

One of the preliminary results of my latest research in philosophy is that Brazilian Pentecostals obtained “authorization” to take part in the public stage, in their “Bible caucus” form, on the condition that they not actually integrate into political culture except in the role of an electoral base.

That result is based on the fact that since the Constituent Assembly the speeches and texts sponsored with Brazilian taxpayers’ money have been used to promote agendas of little or no significance, such as the obstinacy over sexual freedom and the pungent question of the end of the world.

The deal with the ruling political power is that one may preach anything from the pulpit, at any price (true or false, objective reality or childish fantasy, no matter), as long as that preaching helps win votes.

In 2023, very sadly, Pentecostals with a mandate or employed in offices of this stripe are not expected to contribute — broadly speaking — to promoting public policy and maintaining dialogue. Even less to surprise us with any examination of conscience that makes them reflect on what they do with the dear role we attribute to them. It is striking that we have so much affection for Pentecostals while they disdain us.

The fear I felt, meanwhile, was that the “terribly evangelical,” a phrase that made explicit an arrogant, provocative posture, would worsen the quality of dialogue among Brazilians, which at that point was at very low levels. While the shame had to do with my intellectual and pacifist posture (something more individual), the fear was projected onto what is lived in terms of the country. As the worst fear is expected to befall us, the communicational bridges between those who still believe in community life and Pentecostals are in shambles.

Pentecostals, marked by being subjected to cultural imprisonment, to the slavery of ignorance and, for these and other reasons, also subjected to an impressive portion of violence of many kinds, will need to give a sign that they are willing to collaborate on a balanced future. On our (my) side, patience has run out. Indeed, evangelicals’ patience with their leaders has run out.

Meanwhile, in terms of nominations, it is important to remember the consequences of that “terribly evangelical.” Yet another Supreme Court justice was appointed by a president “satanized” by fundamentalists. It is Lula’s ninth nomination. With the nominations of Dilma and Temer, there are five more. That is, there is a terribly Brazilian bench. Not counting the justice who is about to arrive.