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Do not fill this in! {{Short description|Brazilian Christian denomination (1977-)}} {{Redirect|UCKG|the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)|Gambling Commission}} {{Infobox Christian denomination |name = Universal Church of the Kingdom of God |image = IURD_logo.svg |imagewidth = 250px |caption = Logo version in Portuguese |main_classification = [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] [[Protestant]] |orientation = [[Neo-charismatic]]<ref name=Kamp2012>{{cite journal|last1=van de Kamp|first1=Linda|title=Afro-Brazilian Pentecostal Re-formations of Relationships Across Two Generations of Mozambican Women|journal=Journal of Religion in Africa|volume=42|issue=4|year=2012|pages=440–441|issn=0022-4200|doi=10.1163/15700666-12341240|s2cid=146737786 |url=https://research.vu.nl/ws/files/769747/302559.pdf|quote=The Brazilian churches can be placed in what has been referred to as a global 'third wave' of Pentecostalism or neo-Pentecostalism that started in the 1970s}}</ref> |theology=[[Neo-charismatic movement|Neo-charismatic theology]]|governance = |leader = [[Edir Macedo]] |founder = Edir Macedo |founded_date = {{start date and age|1977|07|09|mf=y}} |founded_place = |separated_from = |parent = |merger = |separations = |associations = |area = 128 countries in 2019 |headquarters = [[Temple of Solomon (São Paulo)|Temple of Solomon]], [[São Paulo]], Brazil |members = 1.8M - 7M (in Brazil), 3M - 8.2M (worldwide)<ref>{{Cite news |title=Igreja Universal perde quase 230 mil fiéis em dez anos |trans-title=Universal Church loses almost 230 thousand faithful in ten years |last1=Leal |first1=Luciana Nunes |last2=Thomé e do Rio |first2=Clarissa |publisher=Estadão |date=29 June 2012|url= https://www.estadao.com.br/ciencia/igreja-universal-perde-quase-230-mil-fieis-em-dez-anos/ |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=Siqueira | first=Domingos | title=Artigo: 105 bandeiras para 8 milhões | newspaper=Correio do Povo | date=10 November 2015 | url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/geral/artigo-105-bandeiras-para-8-milh%C3%B5es-1.187055 | language=pt|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032417/http://www.correiodopovo.com.br/Noticias/571368/Artigo-105-bandeiras-para-8-milhoes|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adherents.com/adh_rb.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990819122455/http://adherents.com/adh_rb.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 19, 1999|title=Adherents.com: Largest Religious Bodies|website=Adherents.com|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref> |website = {{URL|www.universal.org}} |footnotes = }} The '''Universal Church of the Kingdom of God''' ('''UCKG'''; {{lang-pt|Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus}}; {{lang-es|Iglesia Universal del Reino de Dios}}, '''IURD''') is an international [[Evangelical]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to Universal Church |author= |website=UCKG |date= |access-date=30 August 2021 |quote=The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) is a contemporary, evangelical, biblically-based church |url= https://www.uckg.org.za/}}</ref> [[Neo-charismatic movement|Neo-charismatic]] [[Christian denomination]] with its headquarters at the [[Temple of Solomon (UCKG)|Temple of Solomon]] in [[São Paulo]], Brazil. The church was founded in 1977 in [[Rio de Janeiro]] by Bishop [[Edir Macedo]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jornalnacional.globo.com/Telejornais/JN/0,,MUL1263480-10406,00-BISPO+EDIR+MACEDO+E+INDICIADO+POR+LAVAGEM+DE+DINHEIRO.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323151520/http://jornalnacional.globo.com/Telejornais/JN/0,,MUL1263480-10406,00-BISPO+EDIR+MACEDO+E+INDICIADO+POR+LAVAGEM+DE+DINHEIRO.html|archive-date=23 March 2023|title=Bispo Edir Macedo é indiciado por lavagem de dinheiro|language=pt|trans-title=Bishop Edir Macedo indicted for money-laundering|newspaper=O Globo|date=12 August 2009}}</ref> who is the owner (since 1989) of the multi-billion television company [[RecordTV]].<ref name=charlatan>{{cite book|author=André Ricardo de Souza|title=Igreja in concert: padres cantores, mídia e marketing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KhIK3ZlaPMcC&pg=PA25|language=pt|trans-title=The Church in concert: fathers, cantors, media and marketing|year=2005|publisher=Annablume|isbn=978-85-7419-513-1|pages=25}} "in 1992 Edir Macedo was imprisoned accused of charlatanism, quackery, and larceny by fraud"</ref> In 1999 the UCKG claimed to have 8 million members in Brazil and was already considered a "commercial church".<ref>{{cite AV media| title=Brazil's multinational 'commercial church'|last=Cabral|first=Paulo|type=2'39" video|website=BBC News | date=1 September 2011 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-latin-america-14743356}}</ref> The denomination had established temples in the United Kingdom and in Africa and India, claiming a total of more than 12 million members worldwide that year.<ref name="veja.abril.com.br">{{cite web|url=http://veja.abril.com.br/031199/p_044.html|author=Roberta Paixão|title=O sucessor de Edir Macedo|trans-title=The successor of Macedo|language=pt|newspaper=Veja|date=11 March 1999|access-date=18 July 2011|archive-date=29 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529234916/http://veja.abril.com.br/031199/p_044.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>"JACOB, C.R.; HEES, D.R.; WANIEZ, P.; BRUSTLEIN, V. ''Atlas da Filiação Religiosa e Indicadores Sociais no Brasil'', São Paulo: PUC-Rio - Edições Loyola, 2003. {{ISBN|85-15-02719-4}}"</ref> By 2013, the UCKG had congregations in [[New York City]], and—according to the UCKG's website in the United States—{{as of | 2019 | lc = on}} had more than 300 congregations in 33 U.S. states.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://web.universal.org/usa/welcome-2/|title= Universal USA|last= Brasil|first= SoulDigital|website= Universal USA|language= en-US|access-date= 2019-05-30}}</ref> The church supported [[Jair Bolsonaro]] for [[President of Brazil|president]] in the [[2018 Brazilian general election]],<ref> {{Cite news |url= https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/eleicoes/2018/noticias/agencia-estado/2018/09/30/edir-macedo-declara-apoio-a-bolsonaro.htm |title= Edir Macedo declara apoio a Bolsonaro |trans-title=Edir Macedo declares support for Bolsonaro |website= UOL - Eleições 2018 (UOL - 2018 elections) |date= 30 September 2018|language= pt-BR }} </ref> which he won. The UCKG has been accused of [[Cult|cult-like]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/controversial-church-branded-a-dangerous-cult-planning-on-coming-to-belfast/36844800.html|title=Controversial church branded a 'dangerous cult' planning on coming to Belfast|website=Belfast Telegraph|date=2023-04-02}}</ref><ref name="South London News 2022 b479"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cultdatabase.com/u/universal-church-of-the-kingdom-of-god|title=UNIVERSAL CHURCH OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD (What you need to know)|website=Cultdatabase.com|date=2023-04-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acidigital.com/seitas/reinodeus.htm|title=Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus|website=ACI Digital|date=2023-04-02}}</ref> illegal activities and [[corruption]], including [[money laundering]],<ref name="fraud"/> [[charlatanism]],<ref name=portugal/><ref name=charlatan/><ref name=Lima2008/> and [[witchcraft]],<ref name=charlatan/> as well as intolerance towards other religions.<ref name=frayssinet/><ref name=vida/> There have also been accusations that the church extracts money from poor members for the benefit of its leaders.<ref name=lorenzo/> In 2000, a [[London]]-based UCKG pastor arranged an [[exorcism]] which resulted in the [[Murder of Victoria Climbié|death of a child]] and the conviction of her guardians of murder.<ref name="Victoria's life of horror"/><ref name=climbiereport/> The UCKG has been subject to [[#Banned from African countries|bans in several African countries]]. In 2017 it was alleged to have been adopting children in Portugal and taking them abroad illegally. In 2022 complaints by hundreds of ex-UCKG members in the UK led to criticism, an investigation published in [[The Guardian]],<ref name=mcclenaghan/> and the opening of an investigation by the Charity Commission into the UCKG's registration as a charity.<ref name=ccinvestigat/><!--further sourced in body--> The BBC reported in 2023 that it recorded London based UCKG Bishop James Marques claiming mental health conditions could be helped by casting out demons and that [[epilepsy]] is a "spiritual problem". They also reported that a member underwent "strong prayers" at age 13 to make him heterosexual.<ref name="bbc-dec2023">{{cite news |last=Mark |first=Katie |date=11 December 2023 |title=UCKG: Church pastor tells boy 'evil spirit' hides in him |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67592961 |access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref> The BBC broadcast a 30-minute documentary titled "The Billionaire Bishop and the Global Megachurch" as part of the [[Panorama (British TV programme)|BBC Panorama]] series.<ref name="bbc-2023-documentary">{{cite AV media |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001tcgf/panorama-the-billionaire-bishop-and-the-global-megachurch |title=The Billionaire Bishop and the Global Megachurch |date=11 December 2023 |type=Television production |publisher=[[Panorama (British TV programme)|BBC Panorama]] |access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref> == History == === Beginning and split with R. R. Soares === {{Multiple image <!-- Essential parameters --> | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 220 <!--image 1--> | background color = <!-- Header --> | header = <!-- Images --> | footer = Gazebo of Jardim do Méier Square, place where UCKG began. | header_align = center | footer_align = left | header_background = | footer_background = | image1 = Coreto do Meier - 4854171856.jpg | width1 = | alt1 = | caption1 = <!--image 2--> | link1 = | image2 = Coreto do Meier.jpg | width2 = | alt2 = | caption2 = <!-- Footer --> | link2 = }} In the late 1960s, [[Edir Macedo]] converted to [[evangelical Christianity]] at the ''Igreja Cristã de Nova Vida'' ("Christian Church of New Life"), a [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] church founded by the Canadian bishop [[Walter Robert McAlister]]. Macedo wanted to become a minister for McAlister's church, but since he was not accepted by its leaders, he and his brother-in-law, [[R. R. Soares]], decided to change to another denomination. Macedo and Soares joined another church called ''Casa da Bênção'' ("House of Blessing"), where they claim to have seen [[Spirit possession|possession]] by and [[deliverance ministry|deliverance]] from demons for the first time, but only Soares was consecrated as a pastor.<ref>{{harvnb|Macedo|2012|pp=159–164}}</ref> In 1975, Soares and another pastor invited Macedo, who still wanted to start his ministry, to inaugurate the ''Cruzada do Caminho Eterno'' ("Crusade of the Eternal Way"), a precursor of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. The services were held in some cinemas they rented for a few hours.<ref>{{harvnb|Macedo|2012|pp=187–189}}</ref> In order to increase the number of members, Macedo began to preach in a gazebo at the main square of the [[Méier]] neighborhood of [[Rio de Janeiro]].<ref>{{harvnb|Macedo|2012|pp=200–202}}</ref> In 1977, the UCKG was officially founded when Macedo and Soares rented a former [[funeral home]], which became their church's first temple.<ref>Mark A. Lamport, ''Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South, Volume 2'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2018, p. 495</ref><ref>Patrice de Plunkett, ''Les évangéliques à la conquête du monde'', Éditions Perrin, France, 2009, p. 110</ref> [[File:Eglise universelle new york.jpeg|thumb|left|Universal Church in [[New York City|New York]], [[United States]].]] [[File:Jesus_Christ_is_the_Lord_Simbahang_Universal1.jpg|150px|thumbnail|right|UCKG church at [[Quezon City|Cubao, Philippines<ref>{{cite web | title=Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (Quezon City)| publisher=Wikimapia | url=http://wikimapia.org/6477098/UCKG-Universal-Church-of-the-Kingdom-of-God | access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref>]]]] By the time that the UCKG was founded tensions had begun to build between Macedo and Soares, with Soares thinking the rent to their temple building was too high.<ref>{{harvnb|Macedo|2012|pp=210–214}}</ref> In 1980, Macedo went to [[New York (state)|New York State]] to start a ministry in the U.S., but soon returned to Brazil to solve administrative problems with Soares. Some of Macedo's principles clashed with those of Soares such as, according to Macedo, financial management, the hiring of pastors from other denominations while Macedo was planning a completely fresh denomination, and the centralization of the image of the "Missionary R. R. Soares". Macedo and Soares decided to call a vote for the leadership among the fifteen pastors the UCKG had at the time; Macedo won by twelve votes to three. Soares resigned from the UCKG and founded the [[International Grace of God Church]], using the copyright of the books of [[T. L. Osborn]].<ref>{{harvnb|Macedo|2012|pp=214–217}}</ref> ===From 1989=== [[File:Catedralmundial6.jpg|thumb|[[Worship service (evangelicalism)|Worship service]] at Cathedral of Faith in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.]] In 1989, the UCKG expanded to Portugal.<ref name=portugal>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbsociologia.com.br/portal/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=3212&Itemid=171|title=A Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus em Portugal, Claudia Swatowiski, XIV Congresso Brasileiro de Sociologia, 28 a 31 de julho de 2009, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)|website=Sbsociologia.com.br|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref> The church's style of proselytism was aggressive, and they were accused of charlatanism and commercial interests that put into question their claims to be a religious organisation.<ref name=portugal/> During the 1990s, the UCKG were very visible and energetic, attacked the Catholic Church, and amassed contributions sufficient to build a "gigantic" temple in [[Porto]].<ref name=portugal/> In 1995, a scandal ensued after the attempted purchase of the well-known theatre [[Coliseu do Porto]]<ref name=portugal/> to transform it into a UCKG temple. The church then began expanding into [[eastern Europe]]. In 1989, the UCKG purchased [[RecordTV|TV Record]], which by 2013 was Brazil's second-largest television network.<ref name="dilma">[http://www.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,igreja-tambem-procurou-dilma-para-manter-pacto-inalterado-imp-,1001044 "Igreja também procurou Dilma para manter pacto inalterado"], ''Estado de São Paulo,'' 25 February 2013 {{in lang|pt}}</ref> In 2009, the [[Workers' Party (Brazil)|Workers' Party]] (PT) government in Brazil bought advertising from RecordTV, which it had formerly limited to Catholic publications, in new venues, and paid for [[public service message]]s in UCKG media outlets.<ref name="dilma"/> The UCKG preached [[prosperity theology]], which asserts that faith and commitment to God are rewarded with Salvation first, but also monetary wealth.<ref name=forbes2015/> In the late 1990s, the church started trying to change its image of being associated with only the poorest people. In 1998, Macedo appointed his nephew, [[Marcelo Crivella]], as a bishop. Crivella said, "We want to win the middle class."<ref name="veja.abril.com.br"/> In 1992, Crivella began a mission in Africa, resulting in the creation of multiple UCKG temples. He returned to Brazil in 1998, where he lived in a four-bedroom condominium in an exclusive development. Crivella is married to Sylvia Jane, with three children who attend a [[Methodism|Methodist]] school in Río de Janeiro.<ref name="veja.abril.com.br"/> Some observers at the time thought that Crivella was being promoted as a competitor to the popular Catholic priest-singer, [[Marcelo Rossi]], who had sold over 4 million albums.<ref name="veja.abril.com.br"/> In 1999, Crivella was reported to have signed a contract with [[Sony Music]] to make three albums, one in Spanish. The first CD, ''The Messenger of Solidarity'', reportedly sold 1.3 million copies that year.<ref name="veja.abril.com.br"/> Crivella was the only pastor whom Macedo authorized to hold large events in stadiums. He has been effective at attracting crowds: the first time appearing at the Nilson Nelson gymnasium in [[Brasília]], with a capacity for 25,000 people, and also in the Estádio Fonte Nova in [[Salvador, Bahia|Salvador]] and the Mineiro in [[Belo Horizonte]]. In October 1999, Crivella packed the [[Estádio do Maracanã|Maracanã football stadium]] in Río de Janeiro. By the end of that year, he planned to have sung "in the largest football stadiums in the country" according to weekly news magazine ''[[Veja (magazine)|Veja]]''.<ref name="veja.abril.com.br"/> [[File:Templo de Salomão - 1.JPG |thumb|right|Temple of Solomon, headquarters of UCKG]] In July 2014, the [[Temple of Solomon (São Paulo)|Temple of Solomon]], with 10,000 seats, was inaugurated in the Brás district in [[São Paulo]].<ref>Simon Romero, [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/25/world/americas/temple-in-brazil-appeals-to-a-surge-in-evangelicals.html Temple in Brazil Appeals to a Surge in Evangelicals], nytimes.com, USA, July 24, 2014</ref> ==Activities== ===Humanitarian and charitable=== {{Section-stub|small=no|date=August 2023}} By the 2010s, the UCKG was reportedly encouraging [[blood donation]] by its members; in various regions, hundreds of donations were made, with numbers 28% higher than before the church's involvement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uckg.org.za/news/save-a-life-%E2%80%A6-donate-blood/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322192218/http://www.uckg.org.za/news/save-a-life-%e2%80%a6-donate-blood/|title=Save a life - Donate blood|archive-date=22 March 2016|website=UCKG South Africa|date=30 March 2011}} A blood drive in Soweto in 2011, encouraging UCKG members to donate blood</ref><ref name=bloodmadagascar/><ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/422/80834.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923191551/http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/422/80834.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|title=UCKG members in the Pretoria area commit to becoming regular blood donors|publisher=Universal Church of the Kingdom of God|via=CSI News|date=30 August 2012|quote=The number of active blood donors has increased by 28% since the first blood drive held at the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) in the Pretoria region. This year the churches in Pretoria, Mamelodi and Soshanguve invited members to donate life-saving blood and more than six hundred people attended the three blood drives.}}</ref> The UCKG said that in 2018 its American branch opened a church inside a jail in [[Houston]], [[Texas]], U.S.<ref>{{cite web |title=The First Universal Church inside U.S. Prison |url=https://web.universal.org/usa/grand-opening-inside-texas-prison/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429091605/https://web.universal.org/usa/grand-opening-inside-texas-prison/|archive-date=29 April 2019|website=Universal USA|date=3 May 2018}}</ref> ===Political=== Macedo has said he wants to "create a [[theocracy|theocratic]] state" by participating in elections.<ref name=frayssinet>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipsnews.net/2009/07/religion-brazil-intolerance-denounced-at-un/|title=RELIGION-BRAZIL: Intolerance Denounced At UN|last=Frayssinet|first=Fabiana|publisher=Interpress Service|date=3 July 2009}}</ref> In 2002, Crivella was elected a member of the [[Brazilian Senate|Federal Senate]] as a candidate for the Liberal Party. In 2005, he switched his affiliation to the [[Brazilian Republican Party]], a social conservative party he had co-founded. The party has been described as a vehicle to run candidates for the UCKG.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oglobo.globo.com/brasil/a-igreja-universal-o-custo-da-megalomania-14302329|title=A Igreja Universal e o custo da megalomania|date=20 October 2014|website=Oglobo.globo.com|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref> {{As of|2015}} Marcos Pereira was head of the party. Other prominent members are Bishop Marcelo Crivella of the UCKG, former vice-president [[José Alencar]], and journalist Celso Russomanno.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jb.com.br/eleicoes-2012/noticias/2012/05/08/longe-do-pp-celso-russomanno-diz-que-eleitorado-de-maluf-e-bem-vindo/|title=Longe do PP, Celso Russomanno diz que eleitorado de Maluf é bem-vindo|website=Jb.com.br|date= 8 May 2012}}</ref> Crivella also ran for mayor of Rio de Janeiro in 2004 and 2008, both times unsuccessfully, before finally winning election in 2016; and for governor of the [[Rio de Janeiro (state)|state of Rio de Janeiro]] in 2006 and 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/31/evangelical-bishops-mayoral-win-in-rio-shows-rise-of-brazils-religious-right|title=Brazil's religious right on the march as bishop elected mayor of Rio|last=Watts|first=Jonathan|date=2016-10-31|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref> ==Finances== Reports in 2009 from a Brazilian governmental investigation of [[money laundering]] estimated that the UCKG received [[Brazilian Real|R$]]1.4 billion per year in tithes, collected in 4,500 temples in 1,500 cities in Brazil. From 2003 to 2008, deposits for the church reached R$3.9 billion.<ref name="inquiry">{{cite web|url=http://noticias.terra.com.br/brasil/policia/inqueritos-contra-a-universal-foram-arquivados-diz-advogado,194b4999eed4b310VgnCLD200000bbcceb0aRCRD.html|title= Policia: Inquéritos contra a Universal foram arquivados, diz advogado|language=pt|trans-title=Investigations were filed against Universal, says lawyer|website=Terra|date=11 August 2009|access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> The church once again was cleared of wrongdoing. {{As of|2015}} UCKG's founder Edir Macedo had a personal fortune estimated at [[US$]]1.1 billion.<ref name=forbes2015/> A 2011 investigation by ''[[The Times]]'' into the UCKG's British accounts found that donations declared for the financial year 2009-10 were £9,700,000, of which more than £7m was used to purchase [[fixed asset]]s. Over the previous sixteen years it had built up £33,700,000 in fixed assets and had claimed almost [[Pound sterling|£]]8 million in taxpayer subsidies since 2003.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/church-that-coaxes-people-into-debt-gets-public-subsidy-hk8ctllrzwf|url-access=subscription|title=Church that coaxes people into debt gets public subsidy|first=Mark|last=Bridge|date=2 April 2011|access-date=13 September 2018|newspaper=The Times}}</ref> This investigation was not able to prove any wrongdoing by the church or its leaders and ''The Times'' had to issue a retraction and public apology for running the misleading report.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}} UCKG reports and financial statements give a picture of the organisation. The accounts from 28 February 2014 of the UK UCKG HelpCentre (registered charity 1043985)<ref>{{cite report|title=The Universal Church for the Kingdom of God, Charity number: 1043985|publisher=Charity Commission for England and Wales|date= 28 February 2014|url=http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/DocumentList.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=1043985&SubsidiaryNumber=0&DocType=AccountList }}</ref> give an overview of the organisation's aims, and detailed accounts as submitted to [[Companies House]]. The report says that "the charity exists to advance the Christian faith and for such charitable purposes as the Trustees shall from time to time decide. ... It is committed to helping people to discover their potential and live life to the full as well as working to expand and reach out to as many people as possible with the message of the Gospel. This is done through evangelism, advertising campaigns and the opening of new branches. The charity also provides financial support to its sister churches in developing nations via the issue of loans presented as programme related investments in the balance sheet." A complete list of charitable activities stated is: * Provision of Church Services: the charity's primary activity. * Support for Overseas Churches: loans and donations to our sister churches. * Training Centre: providing vocational in London. * Children's Biblical Centre * Bookshop: run by the charity * Delight Cafe: with proceeds going to the work of the HelpCentre. * Pilgrimage to Israel * One-off events: Income: Total voluntary income £14,139,298, of which £12,073,881 from donations from church services, plus £1,646,936 from the government as [[gift aid]] reclaim (taxpayer subsidy). From fundraising and investment about £850,000. Support costs (staff, electricity, etc.) £1,304,695. Charitable expenditure: total £10,661,372, of which £9,607,636 on provision of church services. [[Book value]] of [[tangible fixed asset]]s (mainly land and buildings): £40,846,703, similar to the previous year. ==Influence== According to ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine, {{as of|2015|lc=y}} Macedo had a personal fortune estimated at US$1.1 billion, largely from his ownership of RecordTV, the second largest broadcaster in Brazil.<ref name=forbes2015>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/edir-macedo/ |title=The World's Billionaires: 2015 Ranking - #1638 Edir Macedo & family |website=Forbes |date=2015|access-date=17 March 2015 |quote=The bulk of Macedo's fortune stems from his ownership of RecordTV, Brazil's second-largest broadcaster, which he acquired in 1990 from entertainer Silvio Santos for just $10 million.}}</ref> The UCKG's continuing growth, and controversies since Macedo purchased RecordTV, attracted frequent media attention. In addition, claims against the church, together with government efforts related to other investigations, have caused a review of its operations. In 2013, Macedo acquired a 49% stake in the privately held bank [[Banco Renner]], which charges some of the highest interest rates in Brazil. The source of funding to buy the bank is unclear; some reports alleged that Macedo used church funds, but he refused to comment.<ref name=forbes2015/> == Beliefs == The UCKG has a [[Charismatic Christianity|charismatic]] [[confession of faith]].<ref>Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus, [https://www.universal.org/a-universal/home/ Em que Cremos], universal.org, Brésil, retrieved February 18, 2020</ref><ref>FANCELLO Sandra et MARY André, ''Chrétiens africains en Europe'', KARTHALA Editions, France, 2011, p. 383</ref> * That the [[Baptism with the Holy Spirit|baptism of the Holy Spirit]]<!--source says "of", not "with"--> empowers believers for service and endows them with [[Gifts of the Spirit|supernatural gifts]]. * That ministries of [[apostle]], [[prophet]], [[Evangelism|evangelist]], [[pastor]], and [[teacher]] are divinely ordained. * That [[Jesus Christ]] appointed two ordinances to be observed as acts of obedience: **immersion of the believer in water ([[baptism]]) **the [[Eucharist|Lord's Supper]], symbolic of consuming the body and blood of Jesus, in remembrance of his sacrifice and in the expectation that he will return. * In [[divine healing]] as described in the Christian Bible. The translation recommended by the UCKG is the 1982 [[New King James Version]] (NKJV), which, according to the Church, "is the most true to the original we've found so far". The UCKG also urges its followers not to read the [[New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures|New World Translation]] (NWT), which is used by [[Jehovah's Witnesses]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uckgtanzania.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1157:how-to-read-the-bible-&catid=96:sample-news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315215838/http://www.uckg.org.za/frequently-asked-questions/how-to-read-the-bible/|date=2016<!--copyright date-->|archive-date=15 March 2016|url-status=dead|website=UCKG|title=How to Read the Bible}}</ref> * That people can be [[Sanctification in Christianity|sanctified]] (become holy)<ref>Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed.Sanctify: to make (a person) holy, to purify or free from sin</ref> during their lifetime. *The UCKG does not believe that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is sufficient enough to work in the congregant's life today; it teaches that a member of the church has to make a "total and complete"<ref name=7steps>{{cite web |url=http://uckg.ca/7-steps-to-being-blessed-in-the-campaign-of-israel/ |title=7 Steps to Being Blessed in the Campaign of Israel |newspaper=Uckg.ca |access-date= 18 December 2015}}</ref> sacrifice of what they depend on to God through the church (for example, a month's pay, or savings) twice a year without telling anybody;<ref name=7steps/> they commonly refer this as the "Campaign of Israel".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.universal.org/bispomacedo/en/2011/10/30/campaign-of-israel/ |title=Campaign of Israel - Articles, Messages |newspaper=Blogs.universal.org |access-date= 18 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=bastidores/> The UCKG also considers that "hard work, perseverance and faithfulness to God" will produce earnings for people, a doctrine called [[prosperity theology]], and that a tithe (10%) of earnings should be given to God through the church.<ref name=tithe>{{cite web|url=http://www.uckg.org/uk/?p=53350|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160413/http://www.uckg.org/uk/?p=53350|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=usurped|website=UCKG|title=Tithers must be like eagles|date=July 2013}} "We are encouraging you to put God to the test and, during this month of July, give the tithe of what you can 'see yourself' earning, as through your hard work, perseverance and faithfulness to God, you believe you deserve."</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uckg.org/uk/?p=47617|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110545/http://www.uckg.org/uk/?p=47617|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=usurped|website=UKCG Web|title=Yellow rose- for prosperity}}</ref> They offer the "promise of the psalm" ([[Psalm 23]], ''The Lord is my shepherd''): peace, healing, protection, prosperity and favour.<ref name=holyoil>{{cite web|url=http://www.uckg.org/news/?p=35679UCKG|title=Could one drop of oil really make a difference?|date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402173525/http://www.uckg.org/news/?p=35679UCKG|access-date=13 September 2018|archive-date=2015-04-02}}</ref> A 2015 [[academic paper]] by Ilana van Wyk, author of the 2014 book ''The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in South Africa'' analyses the UCKG's prosperity teachings in South Africa, where the church has a very significant presence. She found, based on long-term fieldwork, that the traditional [[Protestantism|Protestant]] doctrine of frugality and hard work had been largely replaced by the prosperity gospel, with the pursuit of "blessings" superseding older concerns over secular vocations and hard work. She found that in churches such as the UCKG, members were urged to demand "miracle jobs" and reject humble vocations and low pay, regardless of qualifications, skills or experience. Complementing her book, the paper examines the role of good and bad luck in the lives of believers, how the UCKG attempts to regulate the flow of money, and its relationship to older notions of prosperity, fate and good fortune.<ref name="van Wyk2015">{{cite journal|last1=van Wyk|first1=Ilana|title=Prosperity and the work of luck in the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, South Africa|journal=Critical African Studies |volume=7|issue=3|year=2015|pages=262–279|issn=2168-1392|doi=10.1080/21681392.2015.1050216|s2cid=220330340 }}</ref> The UCKG has been accused of intolerance and demonisation of African-Brazilian religions such as [[Candomblé]] and [[Umbanda]], with aggressive speech and attacks on temples.<ref name=vida>{{cite web |url=http://vida-estilo.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,aos-cem-anos-umbanda-ainda-sofre-preconceito,278344 |title=Aos cem anos, umbanda ainda sofre preconceito - Vida & Estilo - Estadão |newspaper=Vida-estilo.estadao.com |date=15 November 2008 |author=Emilio Sant Anna & Ricardo Muniz, State of S.Paulo|language=pt|access-date= 28 December 2015}}</ref> In 2005, a Brazilian court ordered that Macedo's book ''Orixás, Caboclos e Guias: Deuses ou Demônios?'' be removed from stores as prejudiced and attacking the religious freedom of members of religions of African origin;<ref name="OESP-2005-NOV-10/UNIVERSAL">{{cite web |url=http://cultura.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,teor-preconceituoso-faz-justica-proibir-livro-de-edir-macedo,20051110p3581 |title=Teor preconceituoso faz Justiça proibir livro de Edir Macedo - Cultura - Estadão |newspaper=Cultura.estadao.com |date=10 November 2005 |author=State Agency |language=pt|access-date= 28 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="CONJUR-2006/RECORD-IURD">{{cite web |url=https://www.conjur.com.br/2006-fev-14/edir_macedo_processado_descaminho |title=Dono e diretores da Record são processados por descaminho |language=pt|trans-title=Owner and directors of Record tried for misdemeanor|website=Consultor Jurídico|date=16 February 2006|author=Maria Fernanda Erdelyi |access-date= 14 September 2018}}</ref> the judgement was reversed on [[freedom of expression]] grounds after a year of litigation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://expresso-noticia.jusbrasil.com.br/noticias/136368/trf-libera-circulacao-do-livro-de-edir-macedo|title=TRF libera circulação do livro de Edir Macedo|website=Expresso-noticia.jusbrasil.com.br|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref> ==Tithing and offerings== {{See also|Tithe}} The UCKG considers that the first ten percent of all of a person's [[gross income]] before deductions "belongs to God" as a tithe, quoting the Bible as the ultimate, divine authority (Malachi 3:10).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+3%3A8-12&version=NKJV|title=Bible Gateway passage: Malachi 3:8-12 - New King James Version|website=Bible Gateway|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref><ref name=rightway>{{cite web|url=http://www.uckgtanzania.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=501|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323114222/http://www.uckgtanzania.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=501|url-status=usurped|archive-date=23 March 2015|title=The Right Way to Tithe, booklet and Web page|website=UCKG}} Reference for all the UCKG guidance on tithing. Material in "double quotes" in Tithing and offerings section is quoted verbatim.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uckg.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/tithe-booklet.pdf|title=Tithe : The First Fruits|website=Uckg.org|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref> The first tithe should include 10% of everything owned at the time. The church gives very detailed instructions on what is to be paid, when, and to whom, distinguishing between rules for salaried workers, business owners, the self-employed, pensioners, and the unemployed, including beggars. Guidance is given for money received as a loan, gifts, benefits, and the sale of property. The tithe is to be paid to the Church as soon as possible; it is not acceptable to defer payment in time of need—this is compared with being unfaithful to your wife now, but being faithful later. If payment is deferred for any reason, then it must be increased by a fifth, on supposed Biblical authority. The UCKG says "the Biblical way of tithing is to bring the tithe onto the altar of the church (see Deuteronomy 14:25)", but accept payment by debit order, "if you must". The UCKG is clear that, "You must tithe everything that comes to your hands ... wages [gross, not after deductions], overtime pay, bonuses, unemployment benefit, child support, business profits/profit from business, pensions, allowances, interest earned on an account, inheritance, prizes, commission, sales, gifts, etc." The church's position is that failure to give tithes is, according to the Bible, robbing God: "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me." (Malachi 3:8,9).. The church says that tithe has a direct impact on salvation. The question is posed, "How can tithe benefit my finances if after giving I am left with less than before?"; the answer is described as "the miracle of tithe": "when you tithe you can count on God's protection upon your money ... He promised to bless you with more than you can have room for ... When you tithe, you remove yourself from under the curse of those who rob God." A clear distinction is made between tithe, which is an obligation, and an offering. Tithe is to be paid before an offering, without deducting the offering from the 10% tithe. Tithe is said to mean faithfulness, submission and obedience; and offering to mean love, faith, thanksgiving, and sacrifice. The UCKG offers a Financial Seminar "for people who are in pursuit of financial growth, independence, stability and as well opportunities in the financial world (Jobs, Promotions, Recognition and the like), people who do not accept failure, poverty, misery, {{sic|loses}} and want a turn over in their life because they believe that they are worthy of much more."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uckgtanzania.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1136&Itemid=378|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323175119/http://uckgtanzania.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1136&Itemid=378|archive-date=23 March 2015|url-status=usurped|title=Monday Chain of Prayer|website=UCKG}}</ref> Tithes are stated to be used so "the Church can pay its existing expenses and plan to expand the work of God", quoting, "That there may be food in My House." (Malachi 3:10). This also means that tithes must not be paid to a charity for the needy instead of the Church, because their primary purpose is to maintain the house of God. "The responsibility rests with the church authorities to decide whether after the needs of God's House have been met to use the remainder in aid of the poor."<ref name=rightway/> ==Relations with other religions== A [[United Nations]] report published in 2009 by Brazil's Committee Against Religious Intolerance (CCIR) stated that Pentecostal churches in general, and the UCKG in particular, were harassing and attacking, sometimes violently, members of other faiths and spreading religious intolerance. The UCKG was "demonizing" especially Afro-Brazilian syncretic religions such as Umbanda and Candomblé; "[[Jews]] are portrayed as '[[Jewish deicide|the killers of Christ]]', [[Catholicism|Catholic]]s as 'devil worshippers', traditional Protestants as 'false Christians' and [[Islam|Muslim]]s as 'demonic'", the report said. [[Kardecist spiritism|Spiritists]] were also reported to have been the subject of attacks. The UN Committee is made up of the leaders of eighteen religious and human rights groups. The committee's chairman said, "[[Fascism]] and [[Nazism]] started this way, from demonizing other groups".<ref name="frayssinet"/> Violent public protests against UCKG temples followed a 12 October 1995 incident in which UCKG-owned [[Rede Record]] broadcast a video of UCKG Bishop Sérgio [[Chute na santa incident|Von Helder kicking and insulting]] a Catholic figure of [[Our Lady Aparecida]], whose [[Holiday#Religious holidays|feast day]] is 12 October. Facing legal charges, Von Helde fled the country but was later tried and convicted of [[religious discrimination]] and [[desecration]] of a national sacred treasure; he was sentenced to two years in prison.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111011224149/http://www.lam.org/news/article.php?id=250 "Evangelical Christianity thriving in Brazil"], Latin American (interdenominational Christian) Missio</ref> Macedo apologized for Von Helder's actions, but accused [[Rede Globo]], Brazil's largest television network, of "manipulating public sentiment" by repeatedly showing a video of the incident.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/A-Skirmish-in-Brazil-s-Holy-War-A-Pentecostal-3020315.php Jack Epstein, "A Skirmish in Brazil's Holy War"], ''San Francisco Chronicle'', 5 November 1995</ref> A researcher who participated in many UCKG church services in various parts of Rio de Janeiro published a [[dissertation]] finding that the church promoted a language of war, giving moral justification for worshippers' battles with non-believers, and that it also claimed to be the victim, discriminated against for spreading hate and demanding that its intolerance be tolerated. The UCKG was highly competitive for territory and denounced Afro-Brazilian religions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gradworks.umi.com/10/15/10159825.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211074911/http://gradworks.umi.com/10/15/10159825.html|archive-date=11 February 2017|title=Religious Tension in Brazil: The Rise of Militant Pentecostalism and Implications for Afro-Brazilian Religions |website=Gradworks.umi.com |date=2016|author=Neace, Sarah Rachelle}}</ref> ==Controversies== The UCKG has frequently been accused of illegal activities, including money laundering, [[charlatanism]],<ref name=charlatan/><ref name=Lima2008>{{cite journal |last1=Lima |first1=Diana Nogueira de Oliveira |title='Prosperidade' na década de 1990: etnografia do compromisso de trabalho entre Deus e o fiel da Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus |trans-title='Prosperity' in the 1990s: ethnography of the work commitment between worshippers and God in the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God |language=pt |journal=Dados |date=2008 |volume=51 |issue=1 |pages=7–35 |doi=10.1590/S0011-52582008000100001 |doi-access=free }}</ref> and [[witchcraft]].<ref name=charlatan/> A book by ex-pastor Mario Justino reported a system of goals for the pastors, with those who collect more money receiving awards such as bigger houses, better cars, and holidays. Justino was ordered to pay restitution to the church for [[defamation]] and to issue a public apology for making a false report<ref name=bastidores>{{Cite book|title = Nos Bastidores do Reino|last =Justino |language=pt|first = Mario |publisher =Geração Editorial |year =1995 |isbn = 8586028061|location = São Paulo, SP, Brasil| url=http://www.portalprudente.com.br/pps/mario_justino_nos_bastidores_do_reino.pdf}} {{in lang|pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Leonard|first1=Jim |url=http://www.comingstobrazil.com/blog/UNIVERSAL%20CHURCH%20OF%20THE%20KINGDOM%20OF%20GOD.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104041/http://www.comingstobrazil.com/blog/UNIVERSAL%20CHURCH%20OF%20THE%20KINGDOM%20OF%20GOD.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016|title=Universal Church of the Kingdom of God|publisher=[[Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary|Faith Baptist Theological Seminary]]|location=[[Ankeny, Iowa]]|date=8 May 2009}} In English, with attachments in Portuguese.</ref> The UCKG has also been accused of extracting money from its often poor congregants and using said money to enrich church leaders rather than assisting the needy.<ref name=Lima2008/><ref name=lorenzo>[http://old.freedomofmind.com/Info/infoDet.php?id=475 "Ex-Member Bids Farewell To 60G – And Her Faith"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821222606/http://old.freedomofmind.com/Info/infoDet.php?id=475 |date=2018-08-21 }}, ''New York Post,'' 23 July 2000, posted at Freedom of Mind</ref> Accusations of charlatanism are the most frequent. The church has been under formal investigation in Belgium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/sectes/sectes.pdf|title=1997 report "Belgian Parliamentary Report on UCKG" (in Dutch and French), Apologetics Index|website=Dekamer.be|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref> Newspapers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Zambia have reported on charges of abuses by the church.<ref>[https://nypost.com/2000/07/23/one-hell-of-a-way-to-raise-money-holy-roller-church-cashes-in-on-faithful/ "ONE HELL OF A WAY TO RAISE MONEY - HOLY-ROLLER CHURCH CASHES IN ON FAITHFUL"], ''New York Post'', 23 July 2000</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/jan/15/religion.uk "The exorcists"], ''The Guardian'', 15 January 2001</ref><ref>[http://www.brazzil.com/cvrnov95.htm brazzil.com: "Praise the Lord and pass the catch-up"], ''Brazzil'', 1995</ref><ref>[http://www.religionnewsblog.com/12950 "AFP: Satanism claims lead to riot"], ''Religion News'' blog, 27 November 2005</ref> In August 2012, a man had an [[epileptic seizure]] during a UCKG service in São Paulo. When he went to the back of the temple to take his medicine, UCKG pastors allegedly attacked and punched him, saying he was "possessed by the spirits of darkness". The church was ordered to pay R$10,000 compensation; it appealed, but the ruling was confirmed by the São Paulo Court of Justice.<ref name=epil>{{cite news|url=http://www.bahianoticias.com.br/justica/pense-no-absurdo/147-igreja-universal-e-condenada-por-agredir-fiel-epiletico-confundido-com-possessao-demoniaca.html|title=Igreja Universal é condenada por agredir fiel epilético confundido com 'possessão demoníaca'|language=pt|trans-title=Universal Church is condemned for attacking a supporter who had an epileptic attack taken to be 'demonic possession'|newspaper=Bahia Notícias|date=20 August 2012}}</ref> In December 2012, the UCKG was ordered by a court in [[Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul|Lajeado]] to pay R$20,000, confirmed on appeal, in compensation for coercing a businesswoman and her partner to make donations they could not afford. The couple were in financial difficulties and had been led to believe that UCKG blessings would help them. The judge determined that the donations (car, jewellery, home appliances, a mobile phone and a printer) were induced to prove faith and subject to the threat of withholding the blessings needed. The inducement, to the couple and the rest of the congregation, was that the more money was donated, the more Jesus would give in return.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bahianoticias.com.br/justica/pense-no-absurdo/159-igreja-universal-e-condenada-a-pagar-r-20-mil-de-indenizacao-por-coagir-casal-a-fazer-doacoes.html|title=Igreja Universal é condenada a pagar R$ 20 mil de indenização por coagir casal a fazer doações|language=pt|trans-title=Universal Church is sentenced to pay R$20,000 in compensation for coercing couple to make donations| newspaper=Bahia Notícias|date=6 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=IURD por coagir fiéis a fazer doação é condenada a pagar R$ 20 mil por TJ-RS | website=Inforgospel|trans-title=UCKG sentenced to pay R$ 20 thousand for coercing faithful to make donations| date=6 December 2012 | url=http://blogs.odiario.com/inforgospel/2012/12/06/iurd-por-coagir-fieis-a-fazer-doacao-e-condenada-a-pagar-r-20-mil-por-tj-rs/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022304/http://blogs.odiario.com/inforgospel/2012/12/06/iurd-por-coagir-fieis-a-fazer-doacao-e-condenada-a-pagar-r-20-mil-por-tj-rs/ | archive-date=14 September 2018 | url-status=dead | language=pt}}</ref> ===Charges of fraud and money laundering=== In August 2009, a judge accepted prosecution charges against Macedo and nine other UCKG leaders, who were charged with [[fraud]] against the church and its followers. According to ''[[The Guardian (UK)|The Guardian]]'', government prosecutors accused the men of laundering more than US$2 billion in donations from 2001 to 2009, and using much of it to purchase property, jewelry and cars; the newspaper also reported, "A $45m (£27m) executive jet, reportedly owned by Bishop Macedo, has become the most visible symbol of the scandal. Macedo was cleared of all charges and was issued a public apology following the dismissal of the case."<ref name="fraud"/> Following a ten-year investigation, the São Paulo prosecutor reported the operation works as follows: donations were gathered from followers, and placed in private banks in both New York City (via Invest Holding, a private [[lending bank]]) and London. The money is sent through Cable Invest, a private bank located in the [[Cayman Islands]]. Finally, it is sent to Brazil though domestic lending companies "Cremo" and "Unimetro", lender banks that divide the funds among Rede Record executives, who in turn supply more money to UCKG officials.<ref name="fraud">{{Citation | last = Phillips | first = Tom | title = Brazilian evangelical leader charged with fraud | newspaper = The Guardian | date = 2009-08-13 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/aug/13/brazil-evangelical-leader-charged-fraud | access-date = 24 August 2009 | location=London}} </ref> On October 19, 2010, the São Paulo Justice Court (TJ-SP) annulled, by a majority vote, all charges made by the São Paulo Public Ministry against the UCKG and its principal representatives. The judges ruled that the São Paulo prosecutors did not have jurisdiction to investigate the case, as the accusations were of a type that fell into the federal jurisdiction.<ref> Agencia Estado, [https://g1.globo.com/brasil/noticia/2010/10/tj-sp-tranca-acao-contra-cupula-da-igreja-universal.html TJ-SP tranca ação contra cúpula da Igreja Universal], g1.globo.com, Brazil, October 20, 2010 </ref> ===Victoria Climbié's death (UK)=== {{Main|Murder of Victoria Climbié}} Victoria Climbié was an eight-year-old child whose cruel<ref>From Victoria Climbié Inquiry Report, cited below: "who ended her days the victim of almost unimaginable cruelty"</ref> death in the UK led to major changes in child protection policies. She died from abuse and neglect while living with her great-aunt Marie-Therese Kouao and the aunt's boyfriend. Victoria was seen by dozens of [[social worker]]s, [[nurse]]s, doctors and police officers before she died, and by a pastor of the UCKG, but all failed to spot or stop the abuse. Kouao and her boyfriend were charged with child cruelty and [[murder]]. During police interviews, both claimed that Victoria was [[demonic possession|possessed by evil spirits]]. They were both convicted of murder and sentenced to [[life imprisonment]].<ref name=climbiereport/> Victoria's murder led to a [[public inquiry]] which investigated the role of social services, the [[National Health Service]], the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, and the police in her death.<ref name=climbiereport>[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmselect/cmhealth/570/570.pdf House of Commons Health Committee, ''The Victoria Climbié Inquiry Report,'' Sixth Report of Session 2002–03]</ref> In February 2000 UCKG Pastor Álvaro Lima, later promoted to a UCKG bishop (and Led the UK headquarters from 2016 to 2021), saw the girl and expressed the view that she was possessed by an evil spirit,<ref name=climbiereport/> saying in a written statement to the inquiry that Victoria had told him "that Satan controlled her life, that Satan had told her to burn her body".<ref name=prayed/> He advised Kouao to bring Victoria back to the church a week later,<ref name=climbiereport/> saying later he suspected she was being abused, but he did not notify any officials. He prayed for her with an assistant.<ref name=prayed>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1695601.stm "Pastor prayed for 'possessed' Victoria"], BBC, 6 December 2001, retrieved 23 April 2010</ref> He saw her again several days later with her great aunt (pretending to be Climbié's mother), and advised Kouao to take the girl to the hospital, where she died of her abuse.<ref name="Victoria's life of horror">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1102191.stm Victoria's life of horror]", BBC, 12 January 2001, retrieved 23 April 2010</ref> The UCKG had been planning to hold a service to "[[Exorcism|cast out the devil]]" from her on the day she died.<ref name="Victoria's life of horror"/> Following Climbié's death, the UCKG stated that they had placed safeguarding measures in place to prevent the use of "strong prayers" on children. In 2023, the BBC reported that "strong prayers" had been used on a 16 year old boy in the UK, prompting questions as to the effectiveness of these measures.<ref name="bbc-dec2023"/> ===Belgian parliamentary inquiry=== In 1997 the [[Governmental lists of cults and sects#Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (1997)|Belgian Parliament Inquiry Committee on Cults]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dekamer.be/FLWB/pdf/49/0313/49K0313008.pdf|title=Chambre des Représentants de Belgique : SESSION ORDINAIRE 1996-1997|date=28 April 1997|website=Dekamer.be|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref> described the UCKG as a dangerous [[cult]], and recommended its formal [[proscription]]. The report said that "[The church] claims that the Kingdom of God is down here [on Earth] and that it [the church] can offer a solution to every possible problem, depression, unemployment, family and financial problems. In fact, [the UCKG] is apparently a truly criminal association, whose only purpose is enrichment."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cesnur.org/testi/bryn/br_farias.htm|title=CESNUR - THE SIEGE OF OPORTO'S COLISEUM|website=Cesnur.org|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref> The Belgian report generated controversy for varied reasons, and the Parliament ultimately rejected most of it.<ref> [http://www.lachambre.be/FLWB/pdf/49/0313/49K0313009.pdf Vote of the Belgian Parliament on the report of the Enquête (Commission) on Cults] (pdf), Session of May 7, 1997</ref> ===Banned from African countries=== In 1998, UCKG was banned from [[Zambia]] under the accusation of "unchristian practices". The ban was lifted after the church appealed to the Supreme Court. In November 2005, it was again banned from Zambia under the accusation of promoting Satanic rituals,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4485222.stm | work=BBC News | title='Satanic' church banned in Zambia | date=30 November 2005}}</ref> and the work permits for its pastors were revoked.<ref name=afpdec05>{{cite web|url=http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?archive_id=11882&page_type=archive_story_detail&page=6376|title=Zambia revokes work permits of Brazilian pastors 'linked to Satanism'|website=Namibian.com.na|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref> The ban was again lifted after appeal to Justice.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4567430.stm | work=BBC News | title=Zambia 'Satanic' church ban lifted | date=29 December 2005}}</ref> Zambia is officially a Christian country by its 1996 constitution. Also in 2005, UCKG was banned from [[Madagascar]], after members were arrested for burning a Bible and other religious objects in public.<ref name=afpdec05/><ref>{{cite news|title=Madagascar bans Bible-burning sect|work = iafrica.com|date=February 3, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Madagascar bans Bible-burning Brazilian sect|author=<!--not stated-->| newspaper=The Mail & Guardian | date=3 February 2005|agency=Sapa-AFP| url=https://mg.co.za/article/2005-02-03-madagascar-bans-bibleburning-brazilian-sect/}}</ref> The church was banned with the argument that it had been licensed in 1998 as a "foreign society" and not a "cult society". In later years the UCKG (in [[Malagasy language|Malagasy]], Fiangonan'ny Vondrona Kristian'ny Fanahy Masina (FVKFM)) encouraged blood donation by its members; in one campaign 300 donors were recruited, far more than before the involvement of UCKG.<ref name=bloodmadagascar>{{cite web|url=http://tvmada.com/lcvmada/sant-don-de-sang-de-la-communaut-fvkfm/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320012600/http://tvmada.com/lcvmada/sant-don-de-sang-de-la-communaut-fvkfm/|archive-date=20 March 2013|website=La Coueur et la voix de Madagascar|title=Santé - Don de sang de la communauté FVKFMA|author=lcvmada|language=mg, fr|trans-title=Health: Blood donation by the FVKFMA community}}</ref> ===Problems in Angola=== UCKG was suspended for 60 days in [[Angola]] in February 2013 after an incident at the Citadela Desportiva in December 2012, which resulted in the death of several people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2013-02-08-00-tragedy-puts-controversial-angolan-church-on-spot|title=Tragedy puts controversial Angolan church on spot|last=Redvers|first=Louise|website=The M&G Online|date=8 February 2013}}</ref> The Aid Organs of the Presidency of the Republic also recommended that similar churches which have not been recognised by the state be banned, including "Igrejas Mundial do Poder de Deus", "Mundial do Reino de Deus", "Mundial Internacional", "Mundial da Promessa de Deus", "Mundial Renovada" and "Igreja Evangélica Pentecostal Nova Jerusalém"<ref>{{cite web|title=Government suspends Universal Church |publisher=Agencia Angola Press |date=3 February 2013| url=http://www.portalangop.co.ao/angola/en_us/noticias/politica/2013/1/5/Government-suspends-Universal-Church,05a2018b-ebaf-4385-83ca-f2bb935a8759.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413130954/http://www.portalangop.co.ao/angola/en_us/noticias/politica/2013/1/5/Government-suspends-Universal-Church,05a2018b-ebaf-4385-83ca-f2bb935a8759.html|archive-date=13 April 2016}}</ref> be suspended. In Brazil this news was published with a response from local religious leaders.<ref>[http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mundo/2013/02/1225860-angola-suspende-atividades-da-universal-e-mais-seis-igrejas.shtml Folha (Brazil):Angola suspends activities of UCKG and six other churches, São Paulo, 5 February 2013] {{in lang|pt}}</ref> After a "systematic violation of the rights of members", such as "racial discrimination and violation of statutory rules"; an "imposition and cooperation on castration or vasectomy for pastors", the Angolan government in June 2020 ordered the dissolution of its board of directors and the removal of Bishop Honorilton Gonçalves from his leadership. The act was interpreted by local religious as the official loss of control by Brazilian bishop [[Edir Macedo]] over Universal in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/geral-53618461 |title=Governo de Angola oficializa afastamento de brasileiros da Igreja Universal no país|language=pt|trans-title=Angolan government officializes removal of Brazilians from the Universal Church in the country|website=BBC News Brasil|date=31 July 2020 |author=Gilberto Nascimento}}</ref> ===UCKG and film promotion=== ''[[The Ten Commandments: The Movie|The Ten Commandments]]'' is a film released in 2016 by UCKG-controlled Rede Record in association with Paris Filmes. It is an adaptation of the eponymous television series presented by Rede Record in 2015.<ref name="odia">{{cite web |url=http://odia.ig.com.br/diversao/televisao/2015-11-24/apos-sucesso-de-audiencia-dez-mandamentos-vai-virar-filme.html |title=Após sucesso de audiência, 'Os Dez Mandamentos' vai virar filme |language=pt|trans-title=After audience success, "The Ten Commandments" is to be filmes|website= Televisão - O Dia |date=24 November 2015 |access-date= 17 May 2016}}</ref> The adaptation was written by Vivian de Oliveira and directed by Alexandre Avancini, with the same cast as the soap opera.<ref name="tribuna">{{cite web |url=http://www.atribuna.com.br/noticias/noticias-detalhe/cinema/cinemark-abre-pre-venda-de-ingressos-para-os-dez-mandamentos/?cHash=e0e7e0e03564234ef2c775ee03688285 |title=Cinemark abre pré-venda de ingressos para "Os Dez Mandamentos"|language=pt|trans-title=Cinemark opens pre-sale of tickets for "The Ten Commandments"|website= A Tribuna |date= 1 January 2016 |access-date= 17 May 2016}}</ref> During pre-order the film broke several records. In two weeks, more than 2 million tickets were sold, and it was also shown at more screens in Brazil, over 1,000, than any previous film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://veja.abril.com.br/noticia/entretenimento/filme-os-dez-mandamentos-supera-2-milhoes-de-ingressos-na-pre-venda |title=Filme 'Os Dez Mandamentos' supera 2 milhões de ingressos na pré-venda|language=pt|trans-title=Film "The Ten Commandments" sells over 2 million tickets in pre-sales|newspaper=Veja.abril.com |date=20 January 2016 |access-date= 17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://veja.abril.com.br/noticia/entretenimento/os-dez-mandamentos-vai-estrear-em-numero-recorde-de-salas |title='Os Dez Mandamentos' vai estrear em número recorde de salas |language=pt|trans-title="The Ten Commandments to have first showing in record number of cinemas|website=Veja.abril.com |date= 12 January 2016 |access-date= 17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://brasil.elpais.com/brasil/2016/01/28/cultura/1453938129_062179.html |title='Os Dez Mandamentos - O Filme', o milagre da multiplicação dos ingressos |language=pt|trans-title="The Ten Commandments - the Film", the miracle of multiplying income|website=El Pais, Brazil |date= 29 January 2016 |access-date= 17 May 2016}}</ref> However, it was poorly received by critics. The UCKG was criticised for heavily promoting the film at their services, and asking those attending for money to buy tickets for those who could not afford them; pastors at church services distributed envelopes with the Ten Commandments logo, and asked for them to be filled with money and returned to help the "cause", interspersed with stressing the importance of tithing 10% of salary, plus extra donations, every month.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://noticiasdatv.uol.com.br/noticia/televisao/universal-pede-dinheiro-a-fieis-para-lotar-cinemas-de-os-dez-mandamentos-10206 |title=Universal pede dinheiro a fiéis para lotar cinemas de Os Dez Mandamentos |language=pt|trans-title=Universal asks faithful for money to fill theaters showing The Ten Commandments|website=Notícias da TV |date=18 January 2016 |author=<!--editorial--> |access-date= 16 May 2016}}</ref> The film was widely released, but a news report in [[São Paulo (city)|São Paulo]] showed empty screening rooms at the premiere of the film, despite the tickets sold at the box office.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=http://cinema.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2016/01/28/os-dez-mandamentos-estreia-com-lugares-vagos-em-sessoes-esgotadas.htm |title="Os Dez Mandamentos" estreia com lugares vagos em sessões esgotadas |language=pt|trans-title="The Ten Commandments" shows to vacant seats in sold-out sessions|website=Notícias - UOL Cinema |date=28 January 2016 |author=Felipe Branco Cruz and Renata Nogueira |access-date= 17 May 2016}}</ref> It was reported that in [[Recife]] a single buyer associated with the UCKG bought all the tickets for all showings of the film in its first two weeks, more than 20,700 tickets.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=http://cinema.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2016/01/19/no-recife-unico-comprador-adquire-22-mil-ingressos-de-os-dez-mandamentos.htm |title=No Recife, único comprador adquire 22 mil ingressos de "Os Dez Mandamentos" |language=pt|trans-title=In Recife a single purchasrer buys 22,000 tickets for "The Ten Commandments"|website= Notícias - UOL Cinema|date=19 January 2016 |author=Felipe Branco Cruz |access-date= 17 May 2016}}</ref> The UCKG officially denied the negative reports about the film.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |url=http://www.universal.org/noticia/2016/01/26/os-dez-mandamentos---o-filme-universal-desmente-acusacoes-da-imprensa-35506.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322211804/https://www.universal.org/noticias/os-dez-mandamentos---o-filme-universal-desmente-acusacoes-da-imprensa-35506|archive-date=22 March 2018 |title="Os Dez Mandamentos - O filme": Universal desmente acusações da Imprensa|language=pt|trans-title="The Ten Commandments - the Film": Universal [Church] denies Press accusations|website=Universal.org|date= 26 January 2016 |author=UCKG Social Communications Department |access-date= 17 May 2016}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite web |url=http://www.universal.org/noticia/2016/01/28/record-e-paris-filmes-divulgam-nota-sobre-a-lotauao-dos-cinemas-na-estreia-de-os-dez-mandamentos-o-filme-35527.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323160148/https://www.universal.org/noticias/record-e-paris-filmes-divulgam-nota-sobre-a-lotauao-dos-cinemas-na-estreia-de-os-dez-mandamentos-o-filme-35527|archive-date=23 March 2018|title=Record e Paris Filmes divulgam nota sobre a lotação dos cinemas na estreia de "Os Dez Mandamentos – O filme"|language=pt|trans-title=Rede Record and Paris Filmes publish note on attendance at cinemas showing "The Ten Commandments - the Film"|website=Universal.org (UCKG) |date= 28 January 2016 |access-date= 17 May 2016}}</ref> In 2018, the film ''Nada a Perder'' (''Nothing to Lose''), which depicts the story of Edir Macedo, part-funded and promoted by Macedo's ''Record'' channel, was similarly reported to be the biggest-selling Brazilian film, but to be playing to rows of empty seats night after night; in one case two sold-out performances played to a totally empty cinema, and to a woman and her two children. A UCKG spokesman said that it was a lie and fake news propagated by media with "a long history of attacks against Universal and the Christian faith" that the film was showing to empty cinemas. He said that the church had "never" bought tickets for the film, but there had been "an initiative so that the biggest number of people possible could see the film—taking needy populations and residents of poor neighbourhoods, the excluded and those who never had access to a cinema where they live".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/15/nothing-to-lose-nada-a-perder-brazil-sold-out-empty-cinemas-universal-church |title='It is strange': Brazilian church blockbuster plays to empty cinemas |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 May 2018 |author=Dom Phillips|access-date= 17 May 2018}}</ref> ===Illegal child adoption scheme in Portugal=== In December 2017, the Portuguese UCKG was accused of running an illegal child adoption network. Children were allegedly taken from their biological mothers and illegally taken to foreign countries for adoption.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/sociedade/iurd/o-segredo-dos-deuses-tvi-revela-trafico-internacional-de-criancas-em-portugal |title="O Segredo dos Deuses": TVI revela rede de adoções ilegais de crianças da IURD em Portugal |language=pt |trans-title=The secrets of the gods: TVI reveals illegal child adoption network of Portuguese UCKG|website=Tvi24.iol.pt |date=11 December 2017 |access-date=11 December 2017}}</ref> The investigation continued {{As of|2018|4|lc=y}}; the Portuguese judicial authorities had by then ruled that children were not taken illegally from their parents, but that there were indications of crime in the subsequent process of adoption.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://observador.pt/2018/04/07/iurd-justica-nega-rede-de-adocao-ilegal-ou-irregularidades-na-retirada-das-criancas-aos-pais/|title=IURD. Justiça nega rede de adoção ilegal ou 'irregularidades na retirada das crianças aos pais'|trans-title=UCKG. Judicial authorities deny illegal adoption network or "irregularities in the withdrawal of children from parents"|last=Correia|first=Gonçalo|website=Observador|date=7 April 2018|language=pt-PT|access-date=2018-04-07}}</ref> In May 2019, the [[Public Prosecution Service (Portugal)|Public Prosecutor's Office]] determined the termination of investigative procedures, deeming the absence of grounds for any prosecution.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/ministerio-publico-arquiva-inquerito-a-adocao-ilegal-de-criancas-pela-iurd_n1148351|title=Ministério Público arquiva inquérito à adoção ilegal de crianças pela IURD|publisher=Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|agency=Agência Lusa|language=pt|date=2019-05-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publico.pt/2019/05/18/sociedade/noticia/ministerio-publico-arquiva-inquerito-adopcao-ilegal-criancas-iurd-1873180|title=Ministério Público arquiva inquérito à adopção ilegal de crianças pela IURD|website=PÚBLICO|language=pt|date=2019-05-18}}</ref> The Prosecutors' Office stated that the foster care homes belonging to the UCKG were legally constituted and operated, further confirming the legality of the institutionalization proceedings carried out before the national legal entities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sol.sapo.pt/artigo/658734/arquivado-inquerito-a-adocao-ilegal-de-criancas-pela-iurd|title=Arquivado inquérito à adoção ilegal de crianças pela IURD|website=Semanario SOL|date=18 May 2019 |language=pt|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref> No criminal proceedings were carried out by the Prosecutors' Office regarding the adoption of institutionalized children. Following the termination, the Public Prosecutor's Office has since carried out criminal proceedings for false testimony against two mothers of some of the adopted children. Both mothers issued statements in a public television report, as well as before a court, under oath. One claimed that she had not signed any court documents to authorize any adoption proceedings, while the other stated that she was never notified by the court, or by any other means, of her children's adoption, saying that she had never signed any notification of said adoptions - both claimed that their signatures had been forged and wrongfully submitted in court, in order for the adoptions to proceed. However, subsequent forensic inspections, carried out by the Prosecutors' Office, then indicated that the mothers had indeed signed the court documents regarding their children's adoptions,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sabado.pt/portugal/seguranca/detalhe/pj-contraria-versoes-de-maes-biologicas-da-iurd-sobre-assinaturas|title=PJ contraria versões de mães biológicas da IURD sobre assinaturas|website=www.sabado.pt|language=pt-pt|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmjornal.pt/sociedade/detalhe/assinaturas-das-maes-biologicas-em-causa-nas-adocoes-da-iurd|title=Assinaturas das mães biológicas em causa nas adoções da IURD|website=www.cmjornal.pt|language=pt-PT|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref> deeming the respective procedures as lawful. Both women currently await trial for false testimony. One mother has since confessed that she had indeed received and signed a court notification regarding her sons' adoption, claiming, before the court, that her false allegations of signature forgery were instigated by a journalist from Portuguese broadcast channel "[[Televisão Independente|TVI]]", whilst further stating the falsehood of her previous accusations to the UCKG.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://expresso.pt/sociedade/2019-11-07-Mae-que-acusou-IURD-de-lhe-roubar-dois-filhos-pede-desculpa-em-tribunal|title=Mãe que acusou IURD de lhe roubar dois filhos pede desculpa em tribunal|agency=Agência Lusa|website=Jornal Expresso|language=pt-PT|date=2019-11-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://observador.pt/2019/11/07/mae-que-acusou-iurd-de-lhe-roubar-dois-filhos-pede-desculpa-em-tribunal/|title=Mãe que acusou IURD de lhe roubar dois filhos pede desculpa em tribunal|agency=Agência Lusa|website=Observador|language=pt-PT|date=2019-11-07}}</ref> According to the mother's allegations, journalist Alexandra Borges instigated her to state that she had not signed any adoption papers or notifications, in exchange for reuniting her with her estranged sons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.pt/pais/mae-que-acusou-iurd-de-lhe-roubar-dois-filhos-assume-que-inventou-historia-falsa-11487739.html|title=Mãe que acusou IURD de lhe roubar dois filhos assume que inventou história falsa|newspaper=Diario de Notícias|agency=Agência Lusa|language=pt|date=2019-11-07}}</ref> ===Opposing women's higher education === Bishop Macedo stated in a 2019 sermon that daughters should not be allowed to seek out [[higher education]], because if they do they will be "smarter than their husbands", and that he personally would not allow his daughters to go to college because he believes that an educated woman cannot have a happy marriage: "When they [my daughters] went out, I said they would just go to high school and they wouldn't go to college. My wife supported me, but the relatives found it absurd. Why don't you go to college? Because if you graduate from a particular profession, you will serve yourself, you will work for yourself. But I don't want that, you came to serve God. Because if (…) she was a doctor and had a high degree of knowledge and found a boy who had a low degree of knowledge, he would not be the head, she would be the head. And if it were the head, it would not serve God's will. I want my daughters to marry a male. A man who has to be head. They have to be head. Because if they are not head their marriage is doomed to failure."<ref>{{Cite news|first=Ingrid|last=Soares|title=Bispo Edir Macedo diz que mulher não pode ter mais estudo que o marido|language=pt-br|trans-title=Bishop Edir Macedo says that a woman must not have more education than her husband|newspaper=Correio Braziliense|date=24 September 2019|url=https://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/app/noticia/brasil/2019/09/24/interna-brasil,789307/bispo-edir-macedo-diz-que-mulher-nao-pode-ter-mais-estudo-que-o-marido.shtml}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20220427165325/https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2019/10/bishop-daughters-should-be-uneducated-so-theyre-not-smarter-than-husbands/ English translation by Michael Stone from the Patheos website, 5 October 2019.]</ref> ===''Surviving Universal UK''=== In 2022 hundreds of former members in the United Kingdom via a movement called ''Surviving Universal UK'' spoke out publicly about the abuse they had endured within the church, including [[sexual abuse|sexual]], [[physical abuse|physical]], and [[financial abuse]] and [[coercion]]. Following this the general issue of faith abuse was widely discussed in the UK news media. Surviving Universal UK was widely viewed on TikTok, generating attention, and leading to an investigation by [[The Guardian]]<ref name=mcclenaghan>{{cite news| last=McClenaghan | first=Maeve | title='Exposed to horrendous things': young people in UK speak out against evangelical church |newspaper=The Guardian | date=29 November 2022 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/29/young-uk-people-speak-out-against-evangelical-church-universal-kingdom-god}}</ref> and continuing reports.<ref>{{cite news| last=Ingram | first=Sarah | title='Threats, grooming, exploitation': How we escaped the evangelist church 'cult'| newspaper=Metro | date=17 May 2023 | url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/05/17/threats-grooming-exploitation-howe-we-escaped-a-church-cult-18070398/}}</ref> After the allegations become public the UCKG replied to several newspapers that they did not agree with the allegations,<ref name="South London News 2022 b479">{{cite news| title='They made me perform exorcisms on others': Survivors of 'cult' church speak out over abuse|last=Twomey|first=James| website=South London News | date=21 October 2022 | url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/they-made-me-perform-exorcisms-on-others-survivors-of-cult-church-speak-out-over-abuse/}}</ref> and remained critical of the many survivors who told their stories, as displayed in The Guardian's [https://www.theguardian.com/world/audio/2022/dec/02/the-young-people-speaking-out-against-the-universal-church-of-the-kingdom-of-god podcast] that featured Surviving Universal UK. As the UCKG is a registered charity in the UK, survivors called on the [[Charity Commission]] to launch a statutory inquiry into the UCKG's conduct and finances with a view to stripping the church of its charity status. In the UK, the UCKG's income is on average £12 million a year, according to their annual report submitted to the Charity Commission.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/|title=The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God|website=The Charity Commission for England and Wales API|access-date=2023-07-24}}</ref> UCKG survivor say members fund all UCKG activities, including expensive uniforms that all volunteers must wear, food banks and outreach programs, and question where the millions actually go. In response to the criticism the Charity Commission opened a regulatory compliance case into the UCKG over potential safeguarding concerns.<ref name=ccinvestigat>{{cite news| title=Regulator contacts Pentecostal church charity over safeguarding concerns | website=Civil Society | date=4 January 2023 | url=https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/regulator-contacts-pentecostal-church-charity-over-safeguarding-concerns.html}}</ref> Members of Surviving Universal UK appeared in a BBC Panorama production exposing alleged [[conversion therapy]] and [[exorcism]].<ref name="bbc-dec2023"/><ref name="bbc-2023-documentary"/> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Bibliography== * {{cite book |last= Macedo|first= Edir|year= 2012|title= Nada a perder|trans-title= Nothing to Lose|language= pt|location= São Paulo|publisher= Planeta|isbn= 9788576658931|volume= 1}} * {{cite book |last= van Wyk |first= Ilana|date= May 2014|title=The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in South Africa - A Church of Strangers|url=http://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/anthropology/social-and-cultural-anthropology/universal-church-kingdom-god-south-africa-church-strangers|location=New York |publisher=The International African Library, International African Institute, London and Cambridge University Press |isbn=9781107057241|edition= 1st}} The first English-language book on the, UCKG outside of Brazil. An endorsement by David Lehmann, University of Cambridge, written at the time of publication, reads as follows: ‘In what is by far the most profound and wide-ranging study of one of the world’s most challenging and disconcerting religious phenomena, Ilana van Wyk has produced a truly engrossing work of ethnography. In its triumphant march out of Brazil and across the globe, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God attracts millions of followers, but also puzzlement, indignation and shock for its success with methods which seem at first sight to be utterly out of keeping with contemporary cultures. This book covers the controversial aspects one by one: money, demonic possession and exorcism; unbearable family tensions amidst poverty and AIDS; and the mysteries of the church’s internal dynamics. Some of the case material is deeply distressing, but the analytical fruits will be with us for a long time to come.’ The UCKG said in a press release that it did "not condone the seemingly one-sided, biased report which is fraught with factually incorrect statements and sweeping generalisations which are contained both in the book and in Van Wyk's interviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uckg.org.za/news/press-release-the-uckgs-statement-on-ilana-van-wyks-book/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221184108/http://www.uckg.org.za/news/press-release-the-uckgs-statement-on-ilana-van-wyks-book/|archive-date=21 February 2016 |title=Press release: The UCKG's statement on Ilana van Wyk's book |website=UCKG|date= 22 October 2015}}</ref> * {{cite book |last= van Wyk |first= Ilana|date= 2015|title=A Church of Strangers - The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in South Africa |url=http://witspress.co.za/catalogue/a-church-of-strangers/|location= Johannesburg |publisher=Wits University Press |isbn=9781868148097}} This is a 2nd, paperback, edition of van Wyk's book, with title and subtitle swapped; there are excerpts from reviews on the publisher's website. ==External links== {{Commons category|Universal Church of the Kingdom of God}} * [http://www.uckg.org/ UCKG official English language website (United Kingdom)] * [http://universal.org/ Official US website (Portuguese and English languages)] * {{cite news| last=Reign | first=Rachael | title=I gave years to the UCKG evangelical church before realising I had to escape its clutches |newspaper=The Guardian | date=2 December 2022 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/dec/02/uckg-evangelical-church-survivors}} Article about difficulties leaving the UCKG, and the organisation ''Surviving Universal UK''. {{New Religious Movements}} {{Portal|Evangelical Christianity|}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Universal Church Of The Kingdom Of God}} [[Category:Universal Church of the Kingdom of God|*]] [[Category:Pentecostal churches in Brazil]] [[Category:Charismatic denominations]] [[Category:1977 establishments in Brazil]] [[Category:Christian organizations established in 1977]] [[Category:Anti-Catholicism]] [[Category:Cults]] [[Category:Finance fraud in Pentecostalism]] Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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