Pandemic Religion in Brazil—Temptation and Responsibility

Religious incidence in Brazilian public space is a widespread fact that has been gaining new visibility in pandemic times. Responsibility in liminal situations represents specific theological hermeneutics, as well as what matters for the respective religious agents. Thus, based on a bibliographical review connected to an analysis of websites, this article aims to reflect on the current Brazilian context, the challenges to doing theology in Brazil today and points to some possible responses. “Pandemic religion”, as we call it, is the synthesis of theologies and religious practices that legitimise irresponsible approaches to life, vulnerabilising the other instead of assuming care-based ethics. Firstly, we briefly describe current theological trends, followed by an analysis of the Brazilian scenario by way of three representative scenes of public religious incidence that reflect a lack of responsibility in view of the pandemic challenges caused by COVID-19. Subsequently, we look back into history for alternative responses to public health crises that required theological positioning. In a Brazilian perspective of a public theology, we finally reflect on a responsible ethics that may help respond to the current challenges, particularly for pandemic religion.

Kontribusi Pemikiran Egbert Schuurman mengenai Permasalahan dan Solusi Teknologi Modern

ABSTRACT:In the modern technological world, human is constantly relating with technology, be it as a user or as a part of technological production mechanism. But what is technology, what kind of value that technology brings, and how should one response to technology? Does technology brings good, bad or neutral? These are the questions that we need to answer as we live in a technological world. In the philosophy of technology, there is one thinker, who represents the school of Reformational Philosophy, named Egbert Schuurman. In the midst of two kinds of reaction towards technology (optimistic and pessimistic) Schuurman proposes a Liberating Perspective as the third option. This perspective is aware of the deep influence of human sinfulness in technological development. However, it also considers the beauty of creational design and Christ’s redeeming power for technological development. In this article, the writer would like to observe Schuurman’s thoughts regarding this Liberating Perspective as a considerable solution to the problems of modern technological life. KEY WORDS: technology, modern, society, reformational philosophy, liberating perspectives, responsible ethics