Editing Rational Culture

{{Short description|Brazilian UFO religion}}
{{citation style|date=May 2024}}
'''Rational Culture'''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-07-07 |title=Tim Maia's Journey into Rational Culture {{!}} Sounds and Colours |url=https://soundsandcolours.com/articles/brazil/tim-maias-journey-into-rational-culture-884/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=soundsandcolours.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> (In Portuguese'': Cultura Racional'') is a Brazilian [[UFO religion]]<ref name="Silva2020">{{Cite web|first=Chico|last=Silva|url=https://istoe.com.br/22475_ETS+CLONES+E+GURUS/|title=ETs, clones e gurus|date=2003-03-19|access-date=2020-06-20|work=ISTOÉ Independente|language=pt-BR|archive-date=2022-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516183545/https://istoe.com.br/22475_ETS%20CLONES%20E%20GURUS/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Almeida |first=Rafael Antunes |title=Encyclopedia of Latin American Religions |publisher=[[Springer Nature]] |year=2019 |isbn=978-3-319-08956-0 |editor-last=Gooren |editor-first=Henri |series=Religions of the World |location=Cham |language=en |chapter=UFO Religions in Latin America}}</ref> derived from [[Umbanda]],{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=14}} founded in 1935 in the city of [[Rio de Janeiro]] by the medium [[Manuel Jacinto Coelho]].<ref>{{cite thesis|type=Master's|title="Cultura Racional: As leituras do 'Maior Homem do Mundo'"|institution=Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina|url=https://repositorio.ufsc.br/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/92140/250106.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|language=pt|location=Florianópolis|year=2008|access-date=16 May 2022}}</ref>

Rational Culture is based on a series of books called ''[[Universo em Desencanto]]'',{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=13}} a work that addresses a wide range of topics including [[cosmology]], [[metaphysics]], [[ecology]], [[linguistics]], [[theology]], [[UFOs]], and [[flying saucer]]s.<ref name="Silva2020" />

== Origins ==
Rational Culture emerged on October 4, 1935,{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=14}} at the "Tenda Espírita Francisco de Assis" <ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Secretaria de Cultura |first=Secretaria de Comunicação |url=https://agencia.sorocaba.sp.gov.br/misterios-da-cultura-racional-serao-discutidos-na-biblioteca/ |title=Mistérios da 'Cultura Racional' serão discutidos na Biblioteca Municipal |date=19 November 2019 |access-date=11 September 2020 |publisher=Prefeitura de Sorocaba |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912014431/https://agencia.sorocaba.sp.gov.br/misterios-da-cultura-racional-serao-discutidos-na-biblioteca/ |archive-date=12 September 2020}}</ref>{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=14}} in Rio de Janeiro, Rua Lopez da Cruz, Méier.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=14}}

During the early decades of the 20th century, persecution of [[Afro-Brazilian religions]] increased, with practitioners of these religious segments being pursued and monitored by the police, especially between 1930 and 1945.<ref>{{Cite thesis|url=https://tede2.pucsp.br/handle/handle/3871|title=Sob o signo da ameaça: conflito, poder e feitiço nas religiões afro-brasileiras|type=thesis|degree=postdoctoral|year=1998|publisher=PUC-SP}}</ref> To escape this persecution and be accepted by society, especially the urban middle class, some Afro-Brazilian religions underwent a process of "de-Africanization" and [[Racial whitening|whitening]],<ref>PRANDI, Reginaldo. Referências sociais das religiões afro-brasileiras: sincretismo, branqueamento, africanização - VII Jornadas sobre Alternativas Religiosas en Latinoamérica. 27 al 29 de Noviembre de 1997.</ref> in which they sought to differentiate themselves from the so-called "lower spiritism," viewed by this society as backward and uncultured, while also constructing a "rational legitimacy."<ref>ORTIZ, Renato. A morte branca do feiticeiro negro. Petrópolis: Vozes, 1978</ref> For this purpose, a group known as the "Intellectuals of Umbanda"<ref>ISAIA, Artur C.. Ordenar progredindo: a obra dos intelectuais de Umbanda no Brasil da primeira metade do século XX. Anos Noventa. Porto Alegre: UFRGS, (11): 97-120, 1999.</ref> worked intensively to provide Umbanda with a doctrinal basis and written knowledge, thereby distinguishing it from the practices of "lower spiritism."

== Doctrine ==
Rational Culture emphatically presents the idea that its teachings should be found only in its books and that reading them is the path to "salvation,"<ref>{{Cite conference |last=Neumann |first=Ricardo |date=2007 |title=Cultura racional e letramento |url=https://anpuh.org.br/index.php/documentos/anais/category-items/1-anais-simposios-anpuh/29-snh24 |conference=XXIV Simpósio Nacional de História |location=[[São Leopoldo]], [[Rio Grande do Sul]], [[Brazil]] |publisher=Unisinos}}</ref> described in its writings as "Rational Immunization," with no need for methods other than sequential reading of the books.

=== Religiosity ===

Similar to how the author of Rational Culture distinguishes between "spiritism," dividing it into true and false, the same is done with the term "religion," differentiating it in his work between: true religion and false religion, or religion from above and religion from below. Also, Rational Culture initially denies its religious nature, claiming to be just transcendental knowledge.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=67}}

=== Astral Planes ===

According to Rational Culture, the world is divided into four [[Spiritual plane|planes]]: the Rational World, Higher Astral, Lower Astral, and Terrestrial Astral.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=17}}

====Rational World====
Inhabited by rational beings who have always existed in a rational state and readers of Universo em Desencanto,{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=17}} invisible and on other planets.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=102}} Its inhabitants would be composed of Rational Energy, a pure, clean, and perfect energy.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=101}} Located above the Higher Astral.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=103}}

====Higher Astral====
Inhabited by beings who were unable to fully develop their reasoning,{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=17}} who manifest themselves as flying saucers.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=103}} The Higher Astral plane, located above the Sun, above electric and magnetic energies, is formed by inhabitants generated by "Mediating Energy."{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=103}}

==== Lower Astral ====
Inhabited by beings who did not possess "rational conduct."{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|pp=17-18}}

==== Terrestrial Astral ====
Inhabited by [[orisha]]s, "the people of the ground and the people of the air."{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=18}}

=== Religions ===
Rational Culture recognizes seven main religions ([[Animism]], [[Brahmanism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Islam]], [[Judaism]], [[Kardecist spiritism|Spiritism]], and [[Christianity]]) responsible for the "confused evolution" and domestication of humanity. The founders of these religions would not be Buddha, Jehovah, or Jesus Christ, but rather beings inhabiting the lower astral.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=102}}

==== Spiritism ====
Rational Culture discusses [[Kardecist spiritism|Spiritism]] in two ways: true spiritism and false spiritism. According to Rational Culture, true spiritism ceased its activities in 1935 and denies the legitimacy of spiritist mediums from that point onwards.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|pp=87-88}}

==== Umbanda ====
Although not recognized by Rational Culture's doctrine: once originating from [[Umbanda]], Rational Culture continued as a branch of it, albeit with a new appearance and altered language, but with the same practices and customs,<ref>SUENAGA, Cláudio Tsuyoshi. Cultura Racional: O desencanto da seita. Revista UFO, Edition 49. https://www.ufo.com.br/artigos/cultura-racional-o-desencanto-da-seita Accessed on June 20, 2014.</ref> characterized by what became known among cult members as the "little room," where mediums incorporated entities and provided consultations for people, both members and non-members. These "little rooms" existed in various locations throughout the country, serving as gathering points for followers. It adopts the color of Umbanda's attire (white){{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=123}} and the greeting to {{Ill|Eshu (Umbanda)|lt=eshus|pt|Exu de umbanda}} used in it.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=124}}<ref name="guia.heu.nom.br">Reference Guide - Exus and Pombas Giras. http://www.guia.heu.nom.br/exu_e_pombas_giras.htm Accessed on June 20, 2014</ref>

It recognizes orishas as "the people of the ground and the people of the air," inhabitants of the Terrestrial Astral.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=18}}

== Practices ==

=== Healing ===
Followers of Rational Culture practice [[healing]] through the use of herbs, oils, [[incense]], candles, symbolic objects, reading the books, and chanting to summon entities from the Terrestrial Astral.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=129}}

=== Palmistry ===
Followers of Rational Culture practice [[palmistry]], the art of reading hands.{{Sfn|Cavalcante Modesto da Silva|2013|p=93}}

== History ==

After the publication of the book "Universo em Desencanto" in the mid-1930s, the religious movement continued in the following decades, having changed its headquarters from Méier to Jacarepaguá, then to Belford Roxo, where the Palácio da Cultura Racional was built.<strong><ref>ELIAS, Jorge. O Cavaleiro da Concórdia, O homem de outro mundo. 1st ed, Racional Gráfica Editora LTDA, 1988, Belford Roxo, RJ. P.116</ref></strong>

In the 1970s, Rational Culture moved to its current headquarters in Nova Iguaçu, where it remains today. During this period, the religious movement began to be frequented by some artists, including musician [[Tim Maia]], who brought significant visibility to the cult, leading it to its peak.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Vale tudo: o som e a fúria de Tim Maia|first=Nelson|last=Motta|date=2007|publisher=Objetiva|pages=127–137|isbn=9788539000807|oclc=912769664}}</ref> During his time with Rational Culture, the singer recorded two albums that would later become critically acclaimed hits, both titled [[Tim Maia Racional|"Tim Maia Racional"]].<ref>''Os 100 maiores discos da Música Brasileira'' - [[Rolling Stone (Brazilian edition)|Revista Rolling Stone]], October 2007, issue no. 13, page 115</ref> In 2011, [[Editora Abril]] released a [[Tim Maia Racional, Vol. 3|third unreleased album]] recorded by the singer in 1976.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dinap.com.br/site/noticias/conteudo_399760.shtml |title=TIM MAIA volume 10 chega às bancas |date=27 May 2011 |publisher=[[Dinap]] }}</ref> After leaving the cult, the singer stated:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/ilustrad/fq16069906.htm |title=Tim Maia - Racional/Irracional |date=16 June 1999 |access-date=20 June 2020 |publisher=[[Folha de S.Paulo]]}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=I joined this cult, which promised to prepare me to communicate with extraterrestrial beings. [...] When I got there, I saw that it was Umbanda, Candomblé, lower spiritism.}}

[[Jackson do Pandeiro]] was another artist connected to Rational Culture between 1973 and 1978, recording songs in tribute to the group, such as "Luz do Saber," recorded in 1978.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h1ETNWbliDMC&q=racional|title=Jackson do Pandeiro: o rei do ritmo|last1=Moura|first1=Fernando|last2=Vicente|first2=Antônio|publisher=Editora 34|year=2001|location=São Paulo|pages=340–342|isbn=9788573262216}}</ref>

The founder of the cult, Manuel Jacinto Coelho, died in 1991, and since then, Rational Culture has been led by one of his daughters.<ref>Neumann, Ricardo. A CULTURA RACIONAL E A CIRCULARIDADE CULTURAL. Master's Thesis. Florianópolis 2008. Available online at http://www.dhi.uem.br/gtreligiao/pdf/st8/Neumann,%20Ricardo.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331012111/http://www.dhi.uem.br/gtreligiao/pdf/st8/Neumann,%20Ricardo.pdf |date=2023-03-31 }}. pp.1 Accessed on March 26, 2013</ref><ref>Statement by Ms. Atna Jacintho Coelho - http://racional.weebly.com/comunicados.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811094121/http://racional.weebly.com/comunicados.html |date=2014-08-11 }}, accessed on July 31, 2014</ref>

== Band ==

Rational Culture has a series of musical bands spread across 14 Brazilian states. They are formed by members of the movement itself and have as their main goal the promotion of the books of Rational Culture. Called the "Rational Universe in Disenchantment Band" - BRUD, or the "Rational Union Band" - BUR (when all bands come together), the band emerged in 1982, initially as a [[Brass band|fanfare]] with percussion and some brass instruments. Over time, it evolved into a [[marching band]], incorporating more elaborate instruments. The band has national and international coverage, and in its repertoire, there are popular songs, military tunes, anthems, and original compositions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bandaracional.com.br/sobre-a-bur/|title=Sobre a Banda Racional|access-date=25 March 2018|publisher=Banda União Racional}}</ref>

In addition to the marching band, Rational Culture has a symphony orchestra, the Racional Jazz Band – RJB – created in 2016, featuring string instruments such as violins, cellos, basses, and electric guitars, keyboard instruments like piano and keyboard, etc., as well as woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://racionaljazzband.wixsite.com/site/breve-historico|title=Sobre a RJB|access-date=25 March 2018|publisher=Racional Jazz Band|archive-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325105746/http://racionaljazzband.wixsite.com/site/breve-historico}}</ref>

== Honors ==

In recognition of its initiatives, the Day of Rational Culture was established in more than one hundred and forty-five cities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.redetiradentes.com.br/biblioteca-publica-realiza-vii-mostra-de-cultura-racional-nesta-terca/|title=Biblioteca Pública realiza a VII Mostra de Cultura Racional|date=October 3, 2016|access-date=November 8, 2018|publisher=Rede Tiradentes de Rádio e Televisão}}</ref>

Manuel Jacinto Coelho, the founder of Rational Culture, also received honors in recognition of his work. Holding several titles, medals, and national and international awards, some of which include: [[Tiradentes Medal]], Title of Benefactor of the State of Rio de Janeiro, [[Medal of Inconfidência|Honorary Medal of Inconfidência]], [[Comenda|Hipólito José Costa Commendation]], Dr. Newton Cardoso Silver Plaque, honorary citizenship of Iguaçu, Citizen of Friburgo, Peace Grove Square in the state of Minas Gerais.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Cavaleiro da Concórdia, o homem do outro mundo|last=ELIAS|first=Jorge|publisher=Racional Gráfica Editora|location=Belford Roxo - RJ|pages=131–132|language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.conferenciaracional.com.br/index-7.php?id=7&t=news|title=Informativo - O Sr. Manoel Jacintho Coelho|access-date=November 8, 2018|publisher=Conferência Racional|archive-date=November 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108184441/http://www.conferenciaracional.com.br/index-7.php?id=7&t=news}}</ref>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* {{Cite thesis |url=http://dspace.sti.ufcg.edu.br:8080/jspui/handle/riufcg/125 |place=[[Campina Grande]], [[Paraíba]], [[Brazil]] |language=pt |title=Cultura racional: da raiz da umbanda à negação da prática religiosa. |date=2013 |last=Cavalcante Modesto da Silva |first=Alire Cristina |journal=Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UFCG |publisher=Universidade Federal de Campina Grande |degree=master's}}

== External links ==

* {{Official website|http://www.culturaracional.net.br/}}
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[[Category:Pseudoscience]]
[[Category:Religion in Brazil]]
[[Category:UFO religions]]
[[Category:Religious syncretism]]
[[Category:New religious movements established in the 1930s]]