A survey conducted by Atlas/Intel on Jan. 8 and 9 showed that 64% of evangelicals support a military coup in Brazil. Nearly a third (31%) support the capital invasion, compared with 18% of Brazilians overall. Only 28% of evangelicals believe Lula’s election was legitimate.
They contend that Lula — who had been in prison for corruption charges and was released and politically rehabilitated after the Supreme Court annulled his convictions — only won as a result of electoral fraud aimed at removing Bolsonaro from power.
Such conspiracies echo Bolsonaro’s own preemptive attacks of the Brazilian voting machines and his continuous threats to not recognize a Lula victory.
Catholics pray during a religious event in support of Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro, who was running for reelection, in Brasilia, Brazil, Oct. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Then there are those who believe the Jan. 8 riots were carried out by militants of the Workes’ Party disguised as Bolsonaro supporters, according to Francisco Borba Ribeiro Neto, the director of the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo’s Center of Faith and Culture.
“Bolsonarism boosted a schizophrenic trend,” said Ribeiro Neto. “They are also convinced the left wing will force youngsters to become homosexuals and will shut down churches.”
That is a minority segment, Ribeiro Neto added. Nevertheless, it can influence broader groups and, at times, promote violence.
Evangelical pastor Toninho Graciano, a Christian leader in the city of Votuporanga, in São Paulo state, told RNS that a group of 30 or 40 people from churches in the city went to Brasília on Sunday. He also wanted to go, but he could not join them because he had to work.
“I am against that kind of action. That was an excess, something that got out of control. Videos will show more and more that there were infiltrated people there, people who already had the intention of perpetrating those acts. That kind of thing can damage the reputation of conservatism,” he told RNS.
Graciano acknowledged that many of the rioters “are sure that there has been electoral fraud.”
“One thing we can tell for sure: The president could not have been elected, given that he has a criminal record,” he added.
