"...since the 1990s, has been to present Scientology as a celebrity religion, although I'd say Kabbalah probably has more real celebrities. The irony is that we are a celeb-obsessed culture but also love to tear our celebrities down, and the Tom Cruise thing really backfired." Read more:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/...It seems everyone is armed with a connection to the internet... fairly easy to sniff-out hoaxes or deception today, if one is so inclined. There is also an abundance of weird stuff to keep one in-over-their-head if that too was one's bent. However my question today is fairly simple given the decline of such a prominent new religion in Scientology... could other false religions survived the information era, if they were starting out today?
Take for EXAMPLE Mormonism. It's roots are hidden somewhat beneath the surface,
but it doesn't take much "surfing" to find a tidal-wave of evidence for it's spurious origin. Some people take offense to opening up cans of worms on any given Sunday... I just think any religion should be able to hold up it's weight in truth; or at least provide some entertainment for the avid fishers of men.
What does it matter if a new religion pops up every 200 years or so with "divine" promise of countless virgins to inhabit planets or spiritual realms? Well, it matters nothing at all... unless it is poising as Christian in it's faith and tenants, in direct contradiction of the Bible; the source of the Judeo-Christian belief. And in doing so misleads sincere seekers down a path of misinformation and deception, all in the name of Jesus Christ...
too much of that going on. Check the evidence yourself...
"Mormonism Exposed
A discernment ministry to expose the deciet and lies from the leaders of Mormonism through the past 200 years - the cover ups - the erronious false heretical teachings - the damnable blasphemous doctrines - and to prove factually that the book of mormon and other scriptures they use are false to the core."
http://mormonismexposed.blogspot.com/200......if after one has considered the evidence out there on certain faiths, one has a better chance of surviving deception and misunderstanding. That is why I ask again... could Joseph Smith's tale of Mormonism survived today's information era? Well, it seems the truth hasn't been much of a detriment to the ever growing LDS Church... so what is it that causes some to be discerning between one "faith" over another?
Could it be that we are not "looking" for faith at all?
It may surprise some that "truth" is not the main reason many attend Church...
"Sociologists have theorized over the years that Americans may attend church because such behavior serves explicit social functions, i.e., the ability to socialize with other members of the community, making business contacts, developing friends, and maintaining one's presentation of self and status in the community. Those reasons may be accurate in some ways, but they are not explicitly acknowledged when churchgoers are asked to self-report on their reasons for their behavior."
http://www.gallup.com/poll/27124/just-wh......if one considers the exodus of all those leaving the "Church" ...social reasons top their list, it may not be admitted by those still attending, because those who still attend have a "higher purpose" than those who don't. IF one looks objectively at the sociologist appraisal to church attendance, one would have to admit they are on the money...
and speaking of which (money) seems to be the biggest matter of contention.
So who cares if someone "goes to church" anyway? I don't. It is obvious it does little to keep one grounded in Biblical truth... then why all the evangelism? The purpose set out in the Bible is not to make "church-goers" rather followers of Christ. Ours is a task to "introduce" if you will, people to the person of Jesus Christ. And have them experience first-hand His Spirit and love. Then they can better decide if they would like to follow Him. Everything hinges on truth. IF Jesus Christ is not real, or if His claims are not substantiated... then people will know the truth, either way first-hand knowledge is not the basis for religion, rather an honest relationship... with God.
Jesus said... "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24)"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)
You see peer pressure or other sociological influences can only benefit or persuade people to a point... then they will question the roots, the foundation, and the reasons why we do what we do... and then move on. An encounter with the God of the Bible is by far more honest, and this is the reoccurring picture of each instance of people coming to faith recorded in the Bible. People have the right to believe anything they choose, and many religions out there cater to ones feelings or social longings...
Christianity as presented in the Bible is established on truth...
the truth of the existence of Jesus Christ or not...
verifiable by anyone truly seeking truth.