Tiago Corte de Alencar is a lawyer and a Seventh-day Adventist in São Paulo, Brazil. A lover of physical activity and fitness, he chose to dedicate his free time to practice judo. As a Sabbathkeeper who believes that the seventh day of the week is sacred and set apart by God, he faced some hurdles to practice and compete.
Judokas are supposed to take a technical exam at the end of each level of difficulty. The exam seeks to assess a judoka’s readiness to move on to the next level. This process is officially conducted by the São Paulo Judo Federation and usually takes place on Saturdays.
De Alencar’s first graduation as a black belt took place four years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The world was going through a pandemic. So the federation created a virtual exam, in which I participated and managed to graduate on an alternative day,” he explained.
When advancing again in judo, de Alencar had to pass another graduation exam, which was scheduled for a Saturday. At this point he tried to reschedule the test, but his request was denied. “When I received the refusal, I felt deeply sad. Since childhood I have learned that respect for religious beliefs is an essential value for human coexistence, especially in educational and sports environments, which must promote inclusion and wholistic development,” he said.
In Brazil cultural diversity is extensive, and this is no different when it comes to beliefs. Federal and state laws usually uphold religious freedom principles.
Despite the emotional impact, de Alencar opted, first, for dialogue to find a solution. “I continue to believe that respectful conversations can build bridges. Therefore, I insistently sought out the representatives of the São Paulo Judo Federation, sent emails with proposals for solutions and requests for conversations. My own coach tried to contact the board. Unfortunately, until I filed the lawsuit, there was no response.”
Brazil’s Federal Constitution
Brazil’s Federal Constitution guarantees that freedom of conscience and belief is inviolable and also declares that no one will be deprived of rights because of a religious belief.
Realizing that his situation could be similar to that of other people who would like to join the sport, de Alencar filed a lawsuit against the Judo Federation. The court ruled in his favor. “My intention was not to create conflict, but only to seek a path that allows people like me to follow their sport dreams without having to give up their faith,” he explained.
“Being attentive to issues related to religious freedom is not only a political issue but a spiritual duty, based on love for God and neighbor,” said Ricardo Ceribeli, religious liberty director in the Southeast São Paulo Conference. “It is an essential right if we want to fulfill the mission of proclaiming biblical truths in a world of increasing oppression.”
According to Ceribeli, de Alencar’s case “offers valuable lessons about the importance of protecting religious freedom and promoting inclusive policies in every sector of society.”
After the court’s ruling, the São Paulo Judo Federation contacted de Alencar and presented alternatives for holding his graduation until the end of 2025, in addition to offering alternative options for any type of event related to judo. In addition, other Adventists, upon learning of the decision, also asked the federation for alternative dates to participate in the belt exams, which were granted.
The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Portuguese-language news site.