If you believe in God but you find the seriousness of academic and spiritual study boring and you’re the kind of six-foot dude who wears flip-flops and and likes Mambo and is broadly in favor of peace and shanti shanti and likes Christ’s vibe, then the Bola de Neve church may interest you. Created in 2000, this Christian surfing church comes from Brazil and has more than 100 temples in the country. Inevitably this church is drifting to the douche meccas: Sydney and California.
It’s a church for cool young trendy people with Facebook pages and the like. People aged between 20 and 35 years old who are usually students, artists, adventurers, or extreme sportsmen. The church sponsors skate contests and reggae and punk gigs, and recruits its kindling at the beach. In the church, palm trees and drawings of dolphins are decorating the walls, but the surf board is THE ultimate sacred object.
On the website, you can order a Bola de Neve cap or you can listen to the new song of “Christianfari.” We spoke to a parishioner, Manoel Mattos, who is a 30-year-old Brazilian living in Sydney.
VICE: Hi. Why did you join Bola de Neve Church?
Manoel Mattos: I’ve tried different religions and now I found one that fills my emptiness. It’s hard to understand if you don’t believe in God, but I’m sure it works.
Did you become religious because of Bola de Neve church, or have you always been?
I’ve looked for God for many years. I just prefer to be a Jesus follower instead of religious. If you check the history, many conflicts were caused by religious people with concepts created by them, not by God.
What is the Bola de Neve church about?
Bola de Neve Church is a Pentecostal Church focused on young people. The idea was to attract teenagers and young people to church by using a simple language and putting the formalities aside. And of course, it’s free.
Why is this sect about surfing? Was Jesus a surfer?
It’s not just about surf. It’s because one long board was used as a pulpit in the first service when the church was just a small group.
Actually I think Jesus was the first surfer without a surfboard, considering he walked on the water. Nine-time champion Kelly Slater wouldn’t have any chance against Jesus.
Who are the people who are involved in the Bola de Neve Church?
Basically the main attendants are between 18 to 35, but we have youngsters and older people. Actually families come to the church, the only difference is that the children bring their parents and not the other way round.
I saw on the website that Bola de Neve church sponsors skate contests and organizes concerts. Do you go to this events? Are they fun? Do people get drunk?
I used to go when I was living in Brazil. Using sport and music is a good way to approach the young people. There’s no alcohol or drugs in our events; once you have Jesus in your life you don’t need them to have fun. If you need to have some booze or take some drugs to enjoy your life it’s because you are missing something and need some help. If you don’t have peace and don’t feel naturally free, don’t waste your time anymore, my advice is that you should read the Bible. I’m sure you’ll find the answers you’ve been looking for.
Do you all bring your surfboards to church?
We don’t bring surfboards to the church. Actually there’s no space. We have to sit on the floor.
Would you say that Jesus is a cool dude?
Yeah, he’s a very cool dude. He came to the Earth around 2000 years ago and still attracting people.
but jesus didn’t need a board. he was the original barefoot surfer.
I wish there was an underwater scene on at the alter at all churchs, so the priest looks like he’s under the sea.
isn’t rastafarianism basically reggae for jesus?
@Yancy, no, Rastafarianism is not a Christian religion. Their Messiah is Halie Selassie, former
Emperor of Ethiopia. There’s even an early version of “Get Up, Stand Up” in which Bob sings “We’re sick and tired of the bulllshit game, you die and go to heaven under Jesus name, if you know what life is worth, you will get yours on earth.” Read up on the Rastafarian religion, it’s a trip.
A poster with Jesus surfing a shark would be way more powerful imagery. He’d seem way more powerful and badass. It also opens up the possibility of bringing over a few more extreme attitude dudes who like drinking mountain dew and aggressive sports, but are straddling the religious fence because they don’t want to look like pussies.
Sounds like the most boring surfers around. At least the normal ones knows how to have a good time.
WAKE UP!
sounds pretty harmless and well intentioned to me. leave it to the US to change that maybe.
In Florida, we have a huge underwater Jesus, looking up at the water’s surface, arms extended to heaven. It’s true! I even had a picture taken with Him. I guess all the scuba gear messed up my perspective, cuz you can’t see his face, and it kinda looks like he’s giving me a blow job, but it’s Jesus, I swear. Beat that, Brazil.
Reggae for Jesus and Jesus surfing all kinds of waves! Amazing.
Jesus surfers suck. They pollute San Diego, the North Shore, anywhere with lots of stupid white people. You know the big surf camp in Panama, the one with no electricity where people are basically prisoners for a week? The asshole that runs it is a big Christian fag.
I have an ex-friend who is now a Jesus surfer because he killed his personality with heroin and meth. He was much less annoying when he was a junkie.
was jesus missing something? I thought he used to get drunk with hookers and tax collectors all the time? didnt he get everyone all fucked up at a wedding or some shit?