Religion and sexuality: permanences and transformations from the perspective of young pentecostals from Recife / PE - Brazil

Abstract

Being a young Assembly of God Pentecostal church classical, in the urban context of Recife, Brazil, refers to a distinction: the world views and lifestyles that, in principle, guard against those characteristics shared by other young people in society. This implies the search for various forms of affirmation as young believers, crises, conflicts and negotiations with the family and/or leaders of the church against the growing presence and participation at different levels of “secular world”. Being part of this religious group represents a distinctive moral habitus associated with one anchored in a religious ethos that is central in the dimension of sexuality. From this perspective, the article focuses on the analysis of how these kids think and experience loving relationships, especially their perception of virginity and homosexuality. It is based on qualitative research conducted between 2006 and 2008, carrying out, as part of the investigation, semi-structured interviews (in depth) with youth and adults, made observations of cults, ceremonies, events and informal moments of everyday life of respondents.