From controversy to practice: connubiality, body and prosperity as pedagogical reasons in the Universal Church

Author(s)

Jacqueline Moraes Teixeira

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH/SBD)
• Defense date: 2012-12-10

Examining board members

Paula Montero; Heloisa Buarque de Almeida; Patricia Birman

• Advisor: Paula Montero

Abstract

This research analyzes the relations between religion and public sphere, seen here as a space of discursive interactions which shape itself as some daily practices earn visibility through the production of controversies. As a starting point, I analyze the point of view of some leaders of the Universal Church from the Kingdom of God concerning the abortion legalization, and the faithful practices, encircling specifically devices encompassing a \"pedagogical reason\" whose aims are the care of oneself and the connubiality. The Universal Church always appears as a important agency producing practices related to the Theology of Prosperity that has the money as the center of its ritual production. The focus of this research is the analysis of a disciplinary program based on reproductive rights allowing us to think not only that the prosperity practices of the Universal Church are not restricted to the financial scope represented by the money in other words, the money is not the only ritual mediator of prosperity , but also that the notions of prosperity and a prosperous life can be practiced, therefore reformulated, in every aspect of life, the family being the most important aspect of it. According to this, the abortion, which is related to illegality and illegitimacy, emerges as a recommendation directly associated to family discipline heading towards prosperity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/12111-6 - From practices to controversies: anthropological analysis of the relation between religion and public sphere
• Grantee: Jacqueline Moraes Teixeira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master