Abumanssur 5

follows Freston's three waves of Pentecostalism ¹(80)

"he first phase...arrival of the Christian Congregation (1910) and the Assembly of God (1911)...sought to ostentate the signs of holiness, which meant making evident the difference between "being a believer" and "being worldly"... the way of dressing, abstinence from alcohol and smoking, keeping a distance from any form of gaming or pleasure such as dancing, sports, cinema or music that was not religious. In other words, these Pentecostalists, following a typical sectarian mentality, sought to differentiate themselves from anything that could associate them with Catholics. In the same way as for the Protestants, to be a believer for these Pentecostalists meant exhibiting behavioural distinctions so as to make evident their conversion and provide it with some meaning within the context of the culture of the majority." ²(80)

second phase linked with Brasil para Cristo, Evangelho Quadrangular and Deus e Amor; more positive dialogue with Brazilian society³ (80-81)

"Although the Pentecostal church Deus é Amor came into being at the same time as the O Brasil para Cristo church, to a great extent it was the precursor of many of the characteristics of the third phase, such as, for example, the use of uniforms by the helpers at the services, exorcisms, encounters with demons. The Deus é Amor church also attacks Afro-Brazilian cults and incorporates elements that are typical of popular Catholicism, such as the unction of objects and prayer chains which are similar to the novenas of penitence" ⁴

1ES Abumanssur, 'Crisis as Opportunity: Church Structure in Times of Global Transformations Religion within a context of globalisation: the case of Brazil', Revista de Estudos da Religião 3 (2002), 76–85, 80.

2ES Abumanssur, 'Crisis as Opportunity: Church Structure in Times of Global Transformations Religion within a context of globalisation: the case of Brazil', Revista de Estudos da Religião 3 (2002), 76–85, 80.

3ES Abumanssur, 'Crisis as Opportunity: Church Structure in Times of Global Transformations Religion within a context of globalisation: the case of Brazil', Revista de Estudos da Religião 3 (2002), 76–85, 80–81.

4ES Abumanssur, 'Crisis as Opportunity: Church Structure in Times of Global Transformations Religion within a context of globalisation: the case of Brazil', Revista de Estudos da Religião 3 (2002), 76–85, 81.