The rise of Brazilian Evangelicals

Brazilian Evangelicals become more numerous and powerful

For decades, Brazil held the title of the “world’s largest Catholic country.” Yet a rapid demographic change has been occurring since the 1970s. The Evangelical population has exploded from just 4 percent 40 years ago to nearly one-quarter of the population.

These churches began preaching in Brazil early in the 20th century, maintaining a low-profile fashion. The two main branches of evangelism found in Brazil were Pentecostal churches, first created in the U.S. with the influence of Baptists and Methodists, and Neo-Pentecostal churches, which have gained prominence – but are considered more radical than traditional churches.

The latter group gained popularity in the 1980s with an approach that catered to the media, and began to buy up TV and radio stations to use airtime to spread their word. Neo-Pentecostals are adherents of the Prosperity Theory, which connects financial gains to the blessings of God.

Every year, 14,000 new churches open nationwide.

To discuss how the rise of Evangelicals is impacting the country, we have compiled a series of reports divided into three parts. The first one talks about their presence in Congress. Find out more by clicking here:

Chapter I: Current influence of Evangelicals on politics

Chapter II: Brazil’s strange secularism: Evangelicalism’s historical rise in popularity

Chapter III: How will Evangelical voters influence Brazil’s 2018 election