In 2009, a Brazilian citizen filed a complaint, stating that religious symbols displayed publicly caused him emotional distress. His appeal was endorsed by the Federal Public Ministry, Brazil’s Attorney General’s Office, which argued that the public display of religious symbols violates the idea of non-discrimination and hurts citizens’ right to religious freedom.

Even with the support, the request for the removal of all religious symbols from federal and state buildings has been dismissed at the trial and appellate courts, and a subsequent appeal was also rejected. In the end, the case was presented to the Supreme Court, which rejected the argument and ruled that:

“The presence of religious symbols in public buildings—whether at the federal, state, district, or municipal level—when intended to reflect the cultural tradition of Brazilian society, does not violate the principles of non-discrimination, state secularism, or impartiality.”

As per the ruling written by Judge Cristiano Zanin, aligning with the decision is obligatory for all federal and state public entities in Brazil.

Source: Christian Daily