The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) has been fined to pay about 40 thousand dollars (204 thousand reais) plus interest to a former believer who was coerced into making "donations" to obtain and guarantee a place in heaven.

Edir Macedo's church enticed the believer, a 53-year-old teacher, to make "contributions" taken from her salary of about $300 (1500 reais).

In the process, the Brazilian justice states that the victim joined IURD in 1999, and that since then she made all the contributions requested by the church. Between 2017 and 2018 she was coerced to make the largest donation in the name of a divine reward, through a contract.

The woman's public defender argued before the São Paulo state court that she had made "donations because she was convinced that only by sacrificing herself would she please God and have his blessing.

The church's lawyers allege absence of coercion and point out that the victim is of legal age and therefore has full consequence of her actions. Furthermore, they allege that the former believer signed a contract that does not provide for the return of the "donated goods".

"She knew about the rules of conduct and the ritual propagated," the IURD added.

Judge Carlos Botcher, however, affirmed that the victim was indeed a victim of coercion, "considering the psychological pressures undertaken by the members of the religious organization to make the offerings.

The UCKG can still appeal the decision.

Remember that the religious denomination is accused in Angola of taking more than 10 million dollars in tithes per month from the country.

The trial of four bishops of the UCKG is in its final stages and a decision should come out in the coming weeks.