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American Economy
The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (IURD), founded in Brazil by Edir Macedo in 1977, became one of the largest neo-Pentecostal evangelical denominations in the world. Known for its discourse focused on the theology of prosperity, exorcisms, and faith campaigns, the church began a rapid process of internationalization in the 1980s. However, although it has had significant success in countries like Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique, its expansion in the Americas has encountered varying levels of acceptance, often clashing with cultural, religious, legal, and institutional resistances in the American economy. continente americano.
The performance of the IURD in the Americas reflects its expansion strategies, as well as the challenges faced in different cultural and social contexts. In Brazil, the church built an empire based on mass communication, a strong presence in low-income neighborhoods, and a discourse of “spiritual battle.” However, replicating this model in other countries has not always yielded the same results in the American economy. continente americano.
In Chile, the IURD faced cultural resistance due to a more conservative and rational religious tradition. The church was criticized for the theology of prosperity and for requesting “financial sacrifices,” resulting in a negative image in society. In Argentina, the strong presence of the Catholic Church and institutional resistance also limited the growth of the IURD in the American economy. continente americano.
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In Mexico, the church found a challenging terrain due to the Catholic predominance and competition with established evangelical churches. Rejection of practices like exorcism and the rhetoric of prosperity also contributed to the limited penetration of the IURD in the country. In Colombia, despite having a growing evangelical population, the presence of the IURD is considered minor, with little public visibility in the American economy.
In the United States, the IURD has had relative success among communities of Brazilian, Hispanic, and African immigrants in cities like New York, Miami, and Newark. However, the impact on the traditional American public is limited due to linguistic and cultural barriers, as well as competition with established mega-churches.
The trajectory of the Universal Church in the Americas reveals that its expansion model works best in contexts where there is greater openness to the theology of prosperity, a strong media presence, and an emotional and popular religious culture. The lack of adaptation to local realities has been a constant obstacle, highlighting the need for cultural flexibility without giving up its theological identity.
The success of the IURD outside of Brazil directly depends on its ability to contextualize and adapt to local religious practices. By attempting to replicate a Brazilian model without considering cultural differences, the church has encountered resistance and frustrations in various American contexts.
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AGÊNCIA PÚBLICA. Pare de Sofrer: los secretos de la IURD en Chile. Available at: https://apublica.org/. Accessed on: Oct 15, 2023.
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