The Minimal Counterintuitiveness Hypothesis (MCI) explains the appeal of religious beliefs by claiming they use concepts that mildly violate natural expectations. This paper argues that MCI is hypercognitivist, ignoring the role of emotions and feelings. While MCI may account for some religious beliefs, it fails to explain beliefs arising from mystical experiences, where affective states are central to their adherence.
Empathy is central to religious experience in the Brazilian Umbanda religion, a syncretic faith blending African spiritual practices, Catholicism, and Kardecist spiritism. In Umbanda rituals, mediums embody spirits of old slaves (pretos velhos), creating profound empathic exchanges that facilitate communal healing and personal transformation. The article argues, through predictive processing theory and embodied cognition, that these empathic interactions are deeply rooted in participants' physical and social embodiments, not merely psychological. This perspective shows how Umbanda serves as both a spiritual practice and a socio-cultural mechanism helping individuals navigate personal and collective life challenges, exemplifying how religion can be a powerful conduit for social cohesion and personal introspection.