Testemunhos de fieis publicados pela Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus no jornal Folha Universal: uma análise exploratória

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to identify profiles of testimonies published in the newspaper column "Miracles of Faith" from the "Folha Universal" - Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus (IURD). We used content analysis, the survey methodology and the method Grade of Membership (GoM) to identify profiles. We obtained two well defined profiles of witnesses and a third, with lower prevalence. The most prevalent profile was associated with women who participated in campaigns promoted by the church, which sought IURD due to health problems. The second most prevalent was associated with higher probability of testimonies of homosexual men and/or with emotional problems. The results should be analyzed with caution since the testimonies are pre-screened before being published, given the fact that the testimony could attract more believers.Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus, religion, demography, Grade of Membership method