Edir Macedo
Encyclopedia
Edir Macedo Bezerra is a Brazilian religious leader
. Macedo was raised Catholic
, but by 1970 was a Pentecostal
. He founded the "Neo-Pentecostal" Universal Church of the Kingdom of God
in Rio de Janeiro state
, Brazil
in 1977.
His rapidly growing religious movement has been a source of controversy, as it is considered prosperity theology
. His views about other faiths, particularly Catholicism, are also controversial. In 1992, he spent eleven days in jail on accusations of charlatanism. There were several protests, with his religious followers camping in front of the prison .
and donations, which many say exploit the poor.
In August 1989, Rede Manchete
's Documento Especial presented evidence against Macedo's church, UCKG. In 1995, Rede Globo
's Jornal Nacional
also presented a piece about how Macedo teaches the church leaders to convince people to give donations and exploit churchgoers' poverty and gullibility. The techniques of Edir Macedo, beside other scenes with his bishops, do not coincide with what is preached to the believers during Church sermons.
Edir Macedo was indicted by the Federal Justice for fraudulent import of equipment and use of false public documents and legal proceedings. He was later declared innocent in a controversial process.
(the third biggest television network in Brazil), Rede Família, Record News
, Line Records
, 64 radio stations of Rede Aleluia
and Universal Produções. He has authored several religious books including the polemical best-seller Orixás, Caboclos e Guias, Deuses ou Demônios. As listed in his official biography, Macedo holds doctorates in Theology and in Christian Philosophy, and an Honorary degree
in Divinity from the Faculdade de Educação Teológica do Estado de São Paulo. However, doctoral degrees in this institution are not accredited or recognized by Brazilian government authorities.
His fortune is estimated at approximatelly US$ 2 billion, according to COAF, organ of public accounts of São Paulo.
Founder of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, Bishop Edir Macedo, 65 years old, was born in Rio de Janeiro. In 1963, he began a career as a civil servant. He started by working with the state-run lottery of Rio de Janeiro, Loterj, and also worked at the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, IBGE, as a researcher in the economic census of 1970. He had completed 16 years of civil service when he left his career to become an evangelist.
Married to Ester Bezerra for 36 years, he has two daughters with her: Cristiane, Viviane and an adopted son, Moises. Edir Macedo insists on pointing out the unconditional support he receives from his wife. He states that women fulfill an important role in the family. She teaches her children in the ways of the faith, takes care of her husband and of the house. All in all, she lives a hectic day-to-day life. But the principal characteristic of a woman of God is that she does all this under the direction of the Lord.
The Bishop has an extensive academic background. He received degrees in Theology at the Evangelical School of Theology "United Seminar” and the Faculty of Theological Education in the state of São Paulo (Fatebom). He received a doctorate in Theology, Christian Philosophy and an honorary degree in Divinity, in addition to a Masters in Theological Science received through the Federación Evangélica Española de Entidades Religiosas ? also known as “F.E.E.D.E.R" ? in Madrid, Spain.
As an evangelical writer, Edir Macedo has sold more than 10 million books, and has over 34 titles published. His books include "Orixás, Caboclos and Guias" and "In the Footsteps of Jesus", both of which have sold more than three million copies in Brazil.
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
. Macedo was raised Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
, but by 1970 was a Pentecostal
Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism is a diverse and complex movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has an eschatological focus, and is an experiential religion. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek...
. He founded the "Neo-Pentecostal" Universal Church of the Kingdom of God
Universal Church of the Kingdom of God
Universal Church of the Kingdom of God is a Pentecostal Christian organisation established in Brazil on July 9, 1977, with a presence in many countries...
in Rio de Janeiro state
Rio de Janeiro (state)
Rio de Janeiro is one of the 27 states of Brazil.Rio de Janeiro has the second largest economy of Brazil behind only São Paulo state.The state of Rio de Janeiro is located within the Brazilian geopolitical region classified as the Southeast...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
in 1977.
His rapidly growing religious movement has been a source of controversy, as it is considered prosperity theology
Prosperity theology
Prosperity theology or gospel is a Christian religious belief whose proponents claim the Bible teaches that financial blessing is the will of God for Christians. Most teachers of prosperity theology maintain that a combination of faith, positive speech, and donations to Christian ministries will...
. His views about other faiths, particularly Catholicism, are also controversial. In 1992, he spent eleven days in jail on accusations of charlatanism. There were several protests, with his religious followers camping in front of the prison .
Criticism
Macedo has earned criticism, especially after the 'kicking of the saint' incident (in which Macedo's ex-bishop Sérgio Von Helder kicked a Catholic icon in a TV program) and his teachings about tithingTithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
and donations, which many say exploit the poor.
In August 1989, Rede Manchete
Rede Manchete
Rede Manchete was a television network from Brazil. It first aired on June 5, 1983 in Rio de Janeiro and simultaneously in other 5 Brazilian cities, like São Paulo on Rede Exclesior's old channel 9 frequency...
's Documento Especial presented evidence against Macedo's church, UCKG. In 1995, Rede Globo
Rede Globo
Rede Globo , or simply Globo, is a Brazilian television network, launched by media mogul Roberto Marinho on April 26, 1965. It is owned by media conglomerate Organizações Globo, being by far the largest of its holdings...
's Jornal Nacional
Jornal Nacional
Jornal Nacional is a Brazilian news program aired by Rede Globo since September 1, 1969. It was the first news program broadcast live by a television network throughout Brazil.-History:...
also presented a piece about how Macedo teaches the church leaders to convince people to give donations and exploit churchgoers' poverty and gullibility. The techniques of Edir Macedo, beside other scenes with his bishops, do not coincide with what is preached to the believers during Church sermons.
Edir Macedo was indicted by the Federal Justice for fraudulent import of equipment and use of false public documents and legal proceedings. He was later declared innocent in a controversial process.
Other
He also leads Rede RecordRede Record
Rede Record de Televisão is a Brazilian television network, founded in 1953 by Paulo Machado de Carvalho, also founder of Rádio Record. Currently it is owned by businessman Edir Macedo, founder and bishop of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. Since 2007 it is Brazil's second largest...
(the third biggest television network in Brazil), Rede Família, Record News
Record News
Record News is the first 24-hour free-to-air terrestrial news channel in Brazil. It is owned by Rede Record.-History:In 1953, Rede Record de Televisão started as the second Brazilian TV channel . As the network completes 54 years, a new channel has been started by it. This is the first Brazilian...
, Line Records
Line Records
Line Records is a Brazilian gospel record label and it belongs to Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. Was founded in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992 with the intent to tend the gospel music demand.-Artists:*Adilson Silva*Adriana Ferreira*Adriana Marques...
, 64 radio stations of Rede Aleluia
Rede Aleluia
The Rede Aleluia is 64 affiliated Brazilian radio stations network owned/rented by the UCKG in 22 of the 27 states, that cover 75% of the Brazilian territory mostly in southeastern region, and also there is a internet radio version on its site.-History:Rede Aleluia was created in 1995 with 19...
and Universal Produções. He has authored several religious books including the polemical best-seller Orixás, Caboclos e Guias, Deuses ou Demônios. As listed in his official biography, Macedo holds doctorates in Theology and in Christian Philosophy, and an Honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
in Divinity from the Faculdade de Educação Teológica do Estado de São Paulo. However, doctoral degrees in this institution are not accredited or recognized by Brazilian government authorities.
His fortune is estimated at approximatelly US$ 2 billion, according to COAF, organ of public accounts of São Paulo.
Founder of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, Bishop Edir Macedo, 65 years old, was born in Rio de Janeiro. In 1963, he began a career as a civil servant. He started by working with the state-run lottery of Rio de Janeiro, Loterj, and also worked at the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, IBGE, as a researcher in the economic census of 1970. He had completed 16 years of civil service when he left his career to become an evangelist.
Married to Ester Bezerra for 36 years, he has two daughters with her: Cristiane, Viviane and an adopted son, Moises. Edir Macedo insists on pointing out the unconditional support he receives from his wife. He states that women fulfill an important role in the family. She teaches her children in the ways of the faith, takes care of her husband and of the house. All in all, she lives a hectic day-to-day life. But the principal characteristic of a woman of God is that she does all this under the direction of the Lord.
The Bishop has an extensive academic background. He received degrees in Theology at the Evangelical School of Theology "United Seminar” and the Faculty of Theological Education in the state of São Paulo (Fatebom). He received a doctorate in Theology, Christian Philosophy and an honorary degree in Divinity, in addition to a Masters in Theological Science received through the Federación Evangélica Española de Entidades Religiosas ? also known as “F.E.E.D.E.R" ? in Madrid, Spain.
As an evangelical writer, Edir Macedo has sold more than 10 million books, and has over 34 titles published. His books include "Orixás, Caboclos and Guias" and "In the Footsteps of Jesus", both of which have sold more than three million copies in Brazil.
External links
- UCKG Help Center - Official website
- IURD - Official website in Brazil
- Bispo Macedo - Edir Macedo's official website
- Arca Universal, a portal in God's service
- Edir Macedo's photography
