God is Brazilian
This expression can often be heard (2) in this country. Brazil is a very religious country, with Christian roots, but with a lot of devotees of Judaism, Islam and Shinto, too. Moreover, in the last century (1) some African animist traditions maintained by slaves and a religion created by a French man, based on reincarnations, spirits and aliens, merged with the Catholic rite to create Spiritualism, which is a very extended religion among the Brazilians nowadays (1). Followers of this religion are called (2) Espiritas.
But back to God, (1) in Brazil you can hear His name at least ten times per day in expressions like “thanks to God” or “if God will” in the streets or on Brazilian television. Also references to the Mother of God are constantly made (2) with the Brazilian expression “Nossa!”. Michel Teló was responsible for millions of people outside Brazil singing it last year. (1) “Nossa!” is used (2) as the abbreviation for the expression in Portuguese “Nossa Senhora!”, an exclamation which could be translated (2) as “Madonna!”. In addition there are many religious channels on Brazilian television. It all started during (1) the eighties with a Media Mass Evangelist named Edir Macedo. He founded the “Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus”.
I have been to Charismatic Renovation masses and they are quite nice compared to what I have seen in Spain. People sing and dance funny choreographies there. They really celebrate the mass. Once (1) I saw more than five hundred people falling into a trance for some minutes during (1) a mass celebrated by Catholic priests under a bridge of a São Paulo metro station.
What is also curious is that in this country anyone can found a church. Some days ago (1) I was in the bank, waiting to be attended, and I started to talk to the man besides me. After some minutes of conversation, the sympathetic man asked about my job and after having answered I asked about him. He said he was starting up a church.