A new religious movement in Brazil is replacing scripture with algorithms. The Universal Church of the Digital Age, founded by former tech executive Marcos Silva, has amassed over 500,000 followers since its launch in February 2024. Services are streamed on WhatsApp and TikTok, with AI-generated sermons that promise prosperity and healing in exchange for 'digital tithes'.

But as the movement grows, so do concerns about exploitation. The church targets the most vulnerable: slum dwellers in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where unemployment is at 14% and inflation has eroded purchasing power. Followers are encouraged to donate up to 30% of their income to 'activate God's algorithms'. Those who cannot afford to pay are labelled 'low faith users' and blocked from premium content.

'I lost my job at the factory last month,' said Maria dos Santos, 42, a former follower from the favela of Paraisópolis. 'The AI told me my faith was weak because I couldn't afford the R$500 donation. I felt ashamed. I sold my fridge to pay.'

Labour rights groups have called for an investigation into the church's financial practices. 'This is not a church, it's a pyramid scheme dressed in piety,' said Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the National Union of Unemployed Workers. 'They are preying on people who can barely afford food. It's a scandal.'

The church's CEO, Silva, dismissed criticisms in a statement: 'We are using technology to bring God to the masses. Our AI is trained on scripture and financial success models. Those who donate see real returns in their lives. It's not exploitation, it's investment.'

But economists warn that the movement is exacerbating inequality. A study by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro found that 60% of followers have taken on debt to maintain their 'faith level'. The average donation is R$150 per month, equivalent to 10% of the minimum wage.

'This is a symptom of a deeper crisis,' said Dr. Ana Oliveira, an economist specialising in labour markets. 'When the state fails to provide safety nets, people turn to anything that offers hope, even if it's an algorithm that demands your last centavo.'

The Brazilian government has yet to comment, but the Ministry of Finance is reportedly reviewing the church's tax status. For now, thousands continue to log on, seeking salvation in a digital god that charges by the prayer.