"The expression “evangelical drug trafficker” may sound incongruous, but ... in Rio, where the evangelical population increased 30% in the first decade of this century, even some of the most notorious drug dealers claim to be spreading the gospel."
theconversation.com/evangelical-ga…
theconversation.com/evangelical-ga…
"As ever more Brazilians convert to evangelicalism, traditional religions there are losing members.
Between 2000 and 2010, the latest national census ... the number of Catholics in Brazil dropped 9%.
Followers of the Afro-Brazilian religions Candomblé and Umbanda declined 23%."
Between 2000 and 2010, the latest national census ... the number of Catholics in Brazil dropped 9%.
Followers of the Afro-Brazilian religions Candomblé and Umbanda declined 23%."
"80 of the 100 faith-based organizations subcontracted to run social programs in prisons are evangelical churches.
As a result, charismatic Christianity has spread quickly through the criminal justice system.
Jailhouse conversions are common."
As a result, charismatic Christianity has spread quickly through the criminal justice system.
Jailhouse conversions are common."
"A sharp increase in reports of religiously motivated crimes in Rio de Janeiro since 2016, in particular attacks on “terreiros” – the temples of the Candomblé and Umbanda faiths.
Persecution of these Afro-Brazilian religions ... has been around since at least the 19th century."
Persecution of these Afro-Brazilian religions ... has been around since at least the 19th century."
"Afro-Brazilian priests are being harassed & murdered for their faith. Candomblé & Umbanda practitioners fear leaving their homes. Temples have closed due to death threats.
The increase in religious hate crimes coincides with the growing politico-cultural clout of evangelicals."
The increase in religious hate crimes coincides with the growing politico-cultural clout of evangelicals."
Evangelical lawmakers currently hold 195 of 513 seats in Brazil’s lower house, giving them the power to shape the national debate ...
Some evangelical leaders who preach the prosperity doctrine also see these Afro-Brazilian religions as dangerously un-Christian, even evil."
Some evangelical leaders who preach the prosperity doctrine also see these Afro-Brazilian religions as dangerously un-Christian, even evil."
"Edir Macedo, the multi-millionaire bishop of Brazil’s Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, wrote in his 1997 book “Orixás, Caboclos and False Gods or Demons” that Afro-Brazilian religions “seek to keep us from God. They are enemies of Him and the human race.”"
"For preachers espousing a binary spiritual worldview, “good” Christians must wage holy war against “evil” practitioners of Candomblé & Umbanda.
Though...just thinly veiled religious discrimination, some parishioners are heeding the call to “cleanse” the world of Satan’s work."
Though...just thinly veiled religious discrimination, some parishioners are heeding the call to “cleanse” the world of Satan’s work."
"That includes a handful of [evangelical] drug kingpins, who prohibit adherents of Afro-Brazilian religions from practicing their faith in gang-controlled neighborhoods.
Residents caught wearing the religious garb of Candomblé and Umbanda may be expelled from the community."
Residents caught wearing the religious garb of Candomblé and Umbanda may be expelled from the community."
"In September, an estimated 100,000...Evangelicals, Catholics, Baha'i, Buddhists, Jews and Hari Krishnas packed Rio’s iconic Copacabana beach. Dressed in white,the traditional color of Candomble and Ubanda religious celebrations,they marched in solidarity with Afro-Brazilians."
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