I did not mean any offense. I was raised catholic and I presently live in a Christian community, and work in an Italian community. But I must disagree...I find people in North America less likely to believe some of the things I found Brazilians do actually believe in. I personally know a woman who makes astral maps for a living. (granted, she lives with her parents--which I think is normal and acceptable), but if she actually has spending money from astrological maps, there is a demand for her services. As well, after reading about the great Antonio Carlos Jobim, I learned that he decided against surgery in the US years before the severe decline of his health, and later on on advice of his younger, second wife, he started to consume "ervas", and he went to see a "sham man " to cure his problems, despite continuing to consume alcohol and smoke cigars.. THAT is what I find disappointing Tom Jobim lived a life of booze and cigarettes and suddenly, when his heart cannot handle the complex surgery he had to do in 1994, several Brazilians decided to blame "the American doctors". THAT is what I find to be "criancice" and "palhacada"--wanting to believe that magic and faith will cure it all. I wish more Brazilians actually believed in their brains and not in this "emotional power of the heart" thing. The heart is a pump controlled by the brain. One says that and Brazilians get offended? In addition I find that keeping Brazilians so prone to believe in magic and faith is what makes several of them vulnerable to "spiritual leaders" who are only seeking to take advantage and power for themselves. Again this is an objective observation and I mean no offense. This is what I have observed among several Brazilians. I know it is a delicate subject, and that is why I am poking at it..