The Battle Among the Gods

The Battle Among the Gods explores the evolving relationship between religion and national identity in Brazil, tracing its roots from the messianic figure of Antônio Conselheiro and the Canudos community, through the transformative era of Liberation Theology, to the contemporary rise of evangelical influence and far-right politics. Grounded in two key intellectual traditions: Brazilian critical thought (Antônio Candido, Roberto Schwarz, Paulo Arantes) and Latin American Liberation Theology (Hugo Assmann, Pablo Richard, Franz Hinkelammert), this book offers a unique analytical synthesis. It interrogates how literary, theological, and political forms shape and reflect the experience of spiritual conflict in a fractured society. As Brazil becomes a global focal point for the interplay of faith and authoritarianism, this book provides essential insight into how religious movements help construct political identities and agendas. It reveals the shared roots between progressive and reactionary religious politics, offering a critical lens on the global resurgence of spiritually framed far-right ideologies. This title is an essential read for scholars of political theology, Latin American studies, religious studies, and contemporary politics, The Battle Among the Gods reframes our understanding of religion’s role in the modern political imagination, both in Brazil and beyond.