The Temple Is Also a Place for Politics: A Study Based on the “Juventude Pelo Brasil” Rallies During the 2022 Elections

This paper is a multiple case study aimed at understanding how Jair Bolsonaro (Liberal Party), the incumbent candidate for re-election, was presented in electoral events held within evangelical churches during the second round of the 2022 presidential elections. To this end, the research analysed three events from the “Juventude Pelo Brasil” rallies, organised by influencer and federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira. The goal was to secure additional votes from northeastern voters in the second round for Bolsonaro, who was trailing his main opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Worker’s Party), in all states of the region during the first round of voting. Through an analysis of the rallies held in various northeastern cities, this study also explores whether disinformation-based rhetoric was present in the speeches delivered during these events and for what purposes. The analysis focuses on the speeches made by Nikolas Ferreira at the events in Imperatriz (Maranhão), Fortaleza (Ceará), and Salvador (Bahia) in October 2022. These rallies were broadcast in their entirety on YouTube, providing us with access to the content. Each of Ferreira’s speeches lasts between 21 and 31 minutes. For the study, we employed the descriptive qualitative method of content analysis based on the videos made available on the platform above. The results indicate that the primary strategy for shaping Bolsonaro’s image in evangelical churches involved deconstructing the image of political opponents. The election was framed as an ideological confrontation, with Bolsonaro positioned as the central figure in the battle against what was portrayed as a greater evil. Additionally, Ferreira, in an effort to mobilise his supporters, exploited the Bible, turning the act of voting into a moral crusade. He suggested that voting for another candidate would be contrary to religious principles, further contributing to the spread of disinformation on these issues.