LAICIDADE EM CONTRAPONTO: UMA INVESTIGAÇÃO SOBRE A FACULTATIVIDADE DO ENSINO RELIGIOSO A PARTIR DE PAINEIRAS-MG

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes the issue of optional enrollment in Religious Education (RE) in a context of democracy and secularism, where confessionality and proselytism are not permitted. Due to the preconceived notion of some parents/guardians that state school RE is "indoctrinating," it can hypothetically be deduced that the reason for this is their lack of knowledge about both the current legislation governing RE and the reality of the school. Paineiras-MG and the “Estação Primavera” State School are fundamental in this research, which aims, in general, to build and suggest a professional product: a step-by-step guide for welcoming parents/guardians at the time of initial student enrollment and at meetings throughout the school year. Specifically, it aims to: clarify the concept of “optional enrollment” for RE and the consequences arising from this optionality; contextualize religiosity/non-religiosity in the municipality and enrollments in RE; make the Course Plan and Pedagogical Support Material for Learning for RE visible in 6th grade classes of Elementary School and present suggestions of theoretical references for school management regarding this Curricular Component, intuiting effective communication with students' families. The research is situated in the field of Religious Studies, at the interface with the field of Education. The methodology used is documentary research, with a main focus on legal standards for RE; bibliographic research, with a literature review on RE; and field research, through participant observation, structured interviews using a specific form and open interviews, with the application of a free and informed consent form (FICF) and a free and informed assent form (FIAF) for minors. The results demonstrate the real need for greater visibility of RE in the school community, making the construction of the proposed professional object pertinent.