The Rise of Narco-Religiosity: How Rio's Gangs Mix Crime and Faith
When police in Rio de Janeiro seize blocks of cocaine and bundles of marijuana, they are often stamped with the Star of David. The symbol has nothing to do with Judaism; it's a reference to some Pentecostal Christian beliefs. More precisely, it refers to the Second Coming of Christ, heralded by the return of Jews to Israel.
Among the criminal groups branding their drugs this way is the Pure Third Command, one of Rio's most notorious gangs. Known for their ruthless control over rivals and fervent evangelical Christianity, they've made headlines for blending faith with crime. After claiming divine inspiration, the gang took over a cluster of five favelas in northern Rio and dubbed the area the "Israel Complex."
According to theologian Vivian Costa in his book, Evangelical Drug Dealers, members of the gang view themselves as "soldiers of crime" with Jesus as an ultimate authority over the territory that they control. This labeled them with the infamous nickname: "Narco-Pentecostals."
Pastor Diego Nascimento, a Wesleyan Methodist minister, can attest to the complex relationships between crime and religion. Once a member of the infamous Red Command, he spent years navigating the underworld of Rio's Vila Kennedy favela. He found his turning point, not through prison or through the justice system, but by way of a gangster preaching the gospel at gunpoint.
Nascimento hit rock bottom after falling into crack cocaine addiction and losing his family. It was then that a local drug dealer urged him to find salvation in Jesus. Today, Pastor Nascimento ministers in prisons, helping others escape the cycle of crime. However, he firmly rejects the notion of religious criminals.
You cannot be an evangelical and a drug dealer," he says. "If a person accepts Jesus and follows biblical commandments, they cannot continue down that path."
Religious Intolerance in the Favelas
Evangelical Christianity is on the rise in Brazil and expected to eclipse Catholicism as the nation's largest religion before the decade is out. But as Pentecostalism grows, it's also becoming a tool for power among Rio's criminal gangs.
In the Israel Complex, non-Christian religious practices are being pushed underground. According to Christina Vital, a sociology professor, this is "religious intolerance" imposed through violence. Afro-Brazilian faiths, such as Umbanda and Candomblé, have been especially targeted, their temples shut down and their walls scrawled with messages like "Jesus is the Lord of this place.".
Dr. Rita Salim, head of Rio's Department for Racial and Intolerance Crimes, points out that these threats have important weight. "This is imposed by criminal organizations, which instills fear in an entire territory," she says.
Neo-Cruzada em o Brasil
The intersection of religion and crime in Brazil is not new. Historically, gangsters sought protection from Afro-Brazilian deities and Catholic saints. But according to theologian Vivian Costa, the rise of Pentecostalism among gangs signals something different.
Some, like Marcio de Jagun, a high priest in the Candomblé religion, describe this as a "neo-Crusade" that blends religious and ethnic prejudice. Gangs claim to "banish evil" in God's name while using violence to suppress other faiths.
But Costa warns against reducing that to an oversimplification. "Crime and religion have a long, entangled history in Brazil," she says. Instead of using the term "Narco-Pentecostalism," she uses "Narco-Religiosity" to better explain the link between crime and religion.
The Fight for Freedom of Religion
While Brazil's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, for many under gang rule, this remains idealistic rather than real. Whether through the violent suppression of Afro-Brazilian faiths or co-opting Christianity for criminal gain, Rio's gangs continue to undermine fundamental rights.
The rise of "Narco-Religiosity" not only blurs the lines between faith and crime but also heightens the damage against already vulnerable communities. For those living in Rio's favelas, the struggle is not just for survival-it's for the freedom to worship without fear.
Tags: Religion, Drugs Trade, Christianity, Rio de Janeiro, Religious Intolerance