Is it a church or a former cinema? The Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus in Lisbon occupies a building with a fascinating past.
The Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus began its journey in 1977 in Rio de Janeiro. Bishop Edir Macedo founded it. He also owns RecordTV. This is a multi-billion dollar television company.
Initially the Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus grew rapidly. By 1999 it claimed eight million members in Brazil. It expanded to the United Kingdom and Africa. It claimed twelve million members worldwide. In 2019 it had over 300 congregations in 33 U.S. states.
However the Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus has faced controversies. Accusations include illegal activities and corruption. Money laundering and charlatanism are also alleged. Some accuse it of intolerance towards other religions. There have been claims of extracting money from poor members.
The Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus expanded to Portugal in 1989. Its aggressive proselytism led to accusations of commercial interests. Some questioned its religious claims. During the 1990s it attacked the Catholic Church. It amassed enough money to build a large temple in Porto. A scandal arose from the attempted purchase of the Coliseu do Porto. The Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus wanted to transform it into a temple.
Its beliefs include that the baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers believers. Divine healing as described in the Bible is also central. The Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus teaches prosperity theology. Faith leads to salvation and wealth. Members must make a complete sacrifice twice a year. This is known as the Campaign of Israel. The church also considers hard work and faithfulness to God as key. These will produce earnings. A tithe of ten percent of earnings should be given to the church.
The Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus has faced criticism for intolerance. Some accuse it of demonizing Afro-Brazilian religions. In 2005 a Brazilian court ordered the removal of a book by Macedo from stores. It was considered prejudiced. However the judgment was reversed on freedom of expression grounds.
In 2009 a Brazilian investigation estimated the Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus received R$1.4 billion per year in tithes. As of 2015 Macedo’s personal fortune was estimated at US$1.1 billion.
The Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus aims to advance the Christian faith. It supports overseas churches. It provides vocational training in London. It also runs a Children’s Biblical Centre.
Today the Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus remains a significant presence. It stands as a testament to faith and controversy. Its story is one of both spiritual devotion and worldly challenges. It invites reflection on the complexities of religion in the modern world.