PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS CSOS: MOVING BEYOND PROSELYTISM AND RELIGIOUS-BASED SOCIAL ASSISTANCE, NOW WITH A SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

Resumen

In this chapter, we examine how religious institutions and their respective leaders have sought to establish ties with public administrations in order to provide public services. Accordingly, we observe the efforts of religious and political leaders to transform religious institutions into religious civil society organizations (Religious Organizations) through legislative proposals. We also characterize the legislative instruments that enable administrative ties with these organizations, as well as the types of public services they may potentially provide. Our methodological procedures consisted of empirical observation and a literature review. The findings identified the expansion of Evangelicals and Evangelical religious institutions, as well as civil society organizations in their various forms throughout Brazil; legislative proposals intended to elevate religious institutions to the status of Religious Organizations; and the incorporation of environmental management processes into religious institutions. We conclude that, in view of contemporary socio-environmental needs, Religious Organizations seek to establish ties with public administrations in order to receive public funding for their community and social projects, among others, while providing services of public interest in return, without undermining the secular nature of the democratic state governed by the rule of law.