PROGRAMME

Transreligious Ayahuasca Use and Legal Challenges in the United States and Beyond - Evgenia Fotiou, Independent Researcher

Abstract: The transnational expansion of ayahuasca shamanism—which was traditionally found in Amazonia—has resulted in new transreligious ritual forms that have developed their own characteristics. These ritual forms combine spiritual and therapeutic motivations, making them harder to categorize in the way that religion is usually defined in Western cultures. I will discuss that, although several stakeholders and scientists are working towards establishing the safety and therapeutic potential of ayahuasca, the religious paradigm shows just as much promise as a road to legal protection. However, given the thus far compartmentalization between religious and therapeutic uses, it is likely that if a religious discourse as a path to legitimacy becomes more pronounced in the future, it cannot be within traditional religious frameworks. The Christian-centric religious paradigm that dominates how religion is defined in Western cultures is limiting, while the transnational expansion of ayahuasca circles shows the emergence of a new paradigm combining transreligious elements and has the potential of reshaping the way religion or spirituality is conceptualized.

Religious freedom, legal controversies and the Santo Daime movement in Portugal - José Alberto V. Simões, CICS.NOVA – Centro Interdisciplinar de Ciências Sociais, NOVA-FCSH | Ana Sofia Machado Ferreira, University of Northampton/ LIMMIT – Laboratory of Mind-Matter Interaction with Therapeutic Intention

Abstract: This presentation will focus on the sociocultural and legal aspects of the Santo Daime movement in Portugal, which is part of the so called “Brazilian ayahuasca religions”. Although the religious doctrine and syncretism of Santo Daime is shared by different groups, there is no absolute consensus regarding how ritualistic practices should be led. In this presentation, we will discuss the case study of “Daime Church of Portugal” (fictitious name), a branch of the Brazilian church, “Heaven of the Sea”, that has been struggling for full legal recognition of their religious practices. This fight takes place within a broader debate concerning religious rights and the freedom to follow particular spiritual beliefs within a ceremonial context. In this sense, this discussion should not be considered merely as a legal issue, but also as a civic one, where religious movements may play a relevant role in social change. 

Zoom link: requests to be sent to nucleo.antropologia.religiao@gmail.com