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Between the Sword and the Cross: A Paradox of Peace and Violence in Brazilian Pentecostalism

Leonardo Marcondes Alves
VID Specialized University, Norway

https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0002-7168-4222

leo.marcondes.alves@gmail.com

In Portuguese, the idiomatic expression “entre a cruz e a espada” refers to the dilemma of choosing– and sometimes losing – between two alternatives. This idiom uncovers the paradox of Pentecostalism in Brazil, acting simultaneously as an agent of peace and reconciliation and a source of violence and conflict. Drawing on a literature review and analysis of public discourse, this paper, informed by the Anthropology of Peace and Violence, explores how Brazilian Pentecostalism navigates the complexities of a society marked by urban violence, drug trafficking, domestic abuse, and political polarization.
While Pentecostal churches support individuals struggling with poverty, addiction, and violence, their emphasis on spiritual warfare can also contribute to social exclusion and conflict by allowing a coexistence of militaristic and even criminal lives with a converted identity. Conversion narratives often
demonize “the other,” fostering an us-vs-them mentality that can legitimize violence. The targets are usually sexual minorities, Afro-Brazilian religions, and people with progressive political leanings, making violence legitimate even against close kin. On the other hand, the small Pentecostal church is often the only local institutionalized agent with the potential for peacebuilding through community outreach, conflict resolution initiatives, and advocacy for social justice. This analysis engages with Viviane Costa’s (Traficantes evangélicos. HarperCollins Brasil, 2003) controversial concept of “Evangelical drug gangs” and the complex interplay between Pentecostalism, violence, and social
control in marginalized communities. The rising demographic growth of Pentecostalism makes it necessary to understand its role in micro and macro political scales—from individual congregations to national political movements—within its terms. By examining this tension between peace and violence, the paper describes the dynamic interplay between religion, social change, and conflict in contemporary Brazil.

REFERENCES

Boscariol, Anderson. Os princípios fundamentais do reino dos céus. The Author, 2024.

Costa, Viviane. Traficantes evangélicos. HarperCollins Brasil, 2003.

Siqueira, Gutierres Fernandes. Igreja polarizada: Como a guerra cultural ameaça destruir nossa fé. Mundo Cristão, 2025.