The radical social media pastor who goes against traditionalism

For some people he may seem like a very controversial evangelical pastor on social media, due to his videos and posts that spark reflection on the main religious leaders and their very archaic ways of thinking due to their interpretation of biblical texts.

The truth of all this is that the lawyer and pastor from Minas Gerais Fillipe Gibran, 35 years old, married to Graciele, father of Reuben and the Caetano, raises the banner of a simple and revolutionary spirituality by discussing themes that many fail to bring to light.

Examples of this are his various videos that denounce machismo, LGBTphobia, racism and misogyny in the fundamentalist way of reading the sacred scriptures for Christians.

Current explanations

With a bold and very direct language, most of his videos provide explanations of ancient texts with more “up-to-date” applications for our daily lives.

Some of these explanations, often even with a hint of humor (which I personally really like), make it easier to understand biblical passages that for some may seem quite confusing and distant from our modern context in which we live.

In addition to making several accusations against politicians, leaders and people who do not value social justice, class and gender equality, manipulating the Bible for selfish benefits.

Jesus was Ultra Radical. I don’t consider myself controversial, I consider myself radical like him” he comments Gibran.

Rebellion of Love

And Gibran really is the guy who uses his networks to say what many people want; but he doesn’t have the courage.

And this causes his “haters” to leave the virtual world and end up affecting his personal life, as he had to move house due to six death threats he received and also experienced a hostile event when he received an arrest warrant at his door. a church just for leafleting against labor reform.

But nothing stops this human rights activist, who knows well how challenging and threatening it is to be a black, evangelical and left-wing man in such a prejudiced and increasingly extremist Brazil.

Focused on providing information in a didactic and simplified way, he launched the delicious “ABC do Crente” on his podcast ‘O Reino em Pessoa’ together with Agnes Alencar and Pamella Campos, and this media format produced and scripted by them is so light that it makes you marathon for hours at a time.

I am violent against speech! I’m not violent towards people.”

Experiences of Black Consciousness

Colorism never made him aware of racism; As he was a light-skinned black man, he only really experienced it through his family. Something that is extremely memorable to him is the few times people came to ask him as a child if his mother was his nanny.

Turning bitter episodes like this into something positive, the son of middle-class civil servants who studied at good schools really intends to leave his mark of transformation on the world; starting with raising your children, trying to show them through your own weaknesses how to become a more supportive, fraternal and generous human. A complete demonstration that example teaches more than a beautiful speech.

And he continually continues his work in this world marked by hatred, in order to bring refuge in the revolutionary and necessary idea of ​​loving, welcoming and comforting others. A true visible and tangible sign of the compassion taught by Jesus who always welcomed tired, oppressed and spare people.

To see his work visit: @fillipegibran

Artur Vieira is a Christian, gay and journalist who has worked with the LGBT+ public since 2013 on the internet with the profile @devoltaaoreino.