Guadalajara is the center of a powerful Protestant religious movement called the Church «Light of the world» (La Luz del Mundo). Of course, you can scornfully grimace and call it a sect, but these are 5 million followers (1.5 million of them live in Mexico) and temples surpassing Mormons in architectural splendor. It all began with the fact that in 1926, 28-year-old Mexican Eusebio Joaquin Gonzalez declared himself a prophet and created a small community. Such a handsome, in general, was a guy, something in between Nikolai Rastorguev from «Lube» and the Garrincha footballer. Christians and especially Christians followed him, and in 1954 «Light of the world» was already a fairly powerful organization capable of acquiring a land plot in Guadalajara and practically crushing the entire area.
Then the church entered the international arena, recruited adherents throughout Latin America and Oceania, and turned into a powerful financial corporation. Now it is led by a son «prophet», Samuel Joaquin Flores, who, like his father, is also not devoid of masculine and universal charisma. People from different parts of the world, including India, often come here. Doctrine «Light of the world» is based on the denial of the Trinity and the Gospel (the Bible and a small psalter written personally by Joaquin are recognized), tightly controls the activities of community members, is strict with women and by all indications can be attributed to totalitarian sects. An important element is the personality of the leader, without which an ordinary person «unable to reach Christ».
In August, every follower of the movement is obliged to make a pilgrimage to the main temple. Unlike Muslims, who only need to visit Mecca at least once in their lives, they need to come here annually. All this results in crowded gatherings, adding «good life» the Guadalajara police and the authorities. But money to the city treasury from the sectarians, apparently, is coming regularly, and therefore the authorities are loyal. And many Catholics respect «svetomirovtsy» for their sobriety, non-smoking, hard work and anti-illiteracy campaigns. The Jewish seven-branched candlestick is used as the main symbol of the church. Its shape is partly repeated by the main temple. «Light of the World», located near the metro station «Tetlan» (final 2nd line). It is a stunning modern construction, 60 x 90 m ellipse, with pyramidal walls (architect Leopoldo Fernandez Font, 1983-90). Inside there are luxurious stained glass windows and white marble. In addition to «Light of the world», the Tetlan area is interesting except for the green area called the Ibero-American Solidarity Park.
