Christianity in Latin America

[dahrling]

Howdy.  So I live in Belo Horizonte, Brazil currently.  One of the most astonishing things I have seen is just how deeply intertwined culture and religion is here.  When you ask "how are you", or "tudo bem?", it is not uncommon to get a reply with an added "gracas a deus" or thanks to God.  When someone is leaving you will very commonly hear "vai com deus" or go with God.  The things that I have seen on TELEVISION about the sermons are jaw dropping. (I will try to find some good stuff on YouTube for you"

My question is do you know of any effort being made to spread awareness down here?  Specifically in Brazil but anywhere in Latin America?  Has anyone else had any experiences that were eye opening or alarming?

I also live in Brazil, and I can say without a doubt the trend here is for people to become more and more religious. The evangelists are taking over the country, they have penetrated our congress and our senate, effectively blocking any chance we had at passing laws that go against their bigoted religious views. Our country was supposed to be founded on progress and order (that is our motto), but unfortunately the opposite is happening here.

I have seen some frightening things, people who have made terrible choices based on emotion and impulsivity, giving away all their money and possessions to these new evangelical churches. I know so many people who are debtrihdden because they thought they'd receive double what they had given. If you pass by some of these churches at night you will witness some of the congregation members holding credit card machines, standing outside and waiting to make their move. They are part of criminal organizations and should be treated as such.

I am one of the only 3 atheists I know here, there are few agnostics, and many followers of Spiritism, which is another religion that is constantly gaining new followers (including some of my family members).

I wish I could say I had a positive outlook on the future but unfortunately I know I need to get out of here before I lose my mind. It is impossible to have a decent conversation with someone here because they always (and I mean always) bring up god. And I will not pretend I believe there is some deity looking down on me and judging my decisions, telling me I'm in need of his salvation. I don't need god to give me strength, I don't need god to guide me, I don't need to god heal me. I need people to see the world for what it really is, to be rational and analytical, but most of all to stop making excuses for themselves when they make mistakes and knowingly hurt others, they need to take the responsibility for their own actions and bear the consequences that come with their decisions.