A Just God versus a Loving God: A Survey Experiment in Brazil

• In Event: Bringing Belief Back In

Abstract

Evangelicals typically exhibit greater religiosity than their Catholic and secular counterparts – Brazilian Evangelicals are 27 percent more likely than Catholics to state that religion is very important in their lives (Pew Research Center 2014). Additionally, 65 percent of Brazilian Pentecostals, compared to 53 percent of other Brazilian Christians, believe that religion should have a role in political and public life (Pew Research Center 2006). Given this strong link between religion and daily life, including politics, the naïve expectation might be that Evangelicals would consistently hold broadly conservative opinions and contribute to the re-emergent political right. However, Brazilian Evangelicals, while still integrating their religion in their political life, represent a diverse electorate with varying positions on critical issues, such as security. Many Evangelical pastors and churches are involved in the rehabilitation of criminals and inmates – saving their lives by providing a pathway out of violent organized crime groups while also saving their souls by converting them to the Evangelical faith. Yet, not all Evangelicals support the rehabilitation of criminals; many advocate for stricter justice to protect the victims of crime. This project explores the diversity in the relationship between Evangelicalism and political opinions My research asks: Why do some Evangelicals support more rehabilitative approaches to crime and security while others favor more punitive measures?

This project utilizes a survey experiment to scrutinize the connection between common theories of atonement within Evangelicalism and opinions on security policy. Penal Substitution theory, the predominant interpretation of the Crucifixion among Evangelicals, suggests that God demands justice and reflects a more punitive stance on issues. On the other hand, Moral Influence theory, also prevalent among Evangelicals, presents a less severe interpretation of the Crucifixion, viewing it as a moral exemplar for human conduct. The survey experiment assesses the influence of these two theories of atonement on attitudes toward policies designed to reduce criminals’ rates of reoffending. Evangelicals draw on their faith to shape their views on numerous topics. I argue that variations in Evangelical opinions on security policy can be attributed to their interpretation of Crucifixion. Those who adhere to Penal Substitution theory are likely to support more punitive policies, whereas followers of Moral Influence theory tend to endorse rehabilitative approaches to crime. While most existing research examines the relationship between religion and issues more closely associated with religious doctrine, such as abortion, this project contributes to the literature on religion and politics, public opinion, and security policy by analyzing the connection between Evangelicalism and the formation of opinions on matters less directly related to religion.

Author

• Eva Rios, Brown University