Eating For Free Hillsong, Corporate Christianity, and the Neoliberalization of Jesus (Part 4)
What does the Australian ministry, a charismatic Evengalical church, neoliberal tech companies, and the state of late-capitalism all have in common? Yes girls and gays, it's the end of our ongoing mini-series / extensive deep-dive covering the wild and disturbing world of the newly emerging megachurch: Hillsong. Starting as an independent Pentecostal branch off the long-standing Australian institution, Hillsong spread across multiple countries and continents bringing in now over a 100,000 members each week, plus half a million online, watching and engaging in their radical and new-wave form of religious and spiritual practice. As we finish our investigation, we realize the greater social, political, and economic implications of the prosperity gospel, and how it is now influencing western institutions and governments across the world. We read from two fantastic listener-letters that go into these shocking details, as well as adding context to why churches like these exist in the first place. If you have any information or further research to send along, don't be afraid to contact us as we'll be following up on this subject in the near future as more comes out. It's been a wild ride, thanks for joining us!
Eating For Free is a bi-weekly gossip podcast reporting from the edge of the internet! We're a new wave of celebrity reporters at a time when pop culture is increasingly chaotic and media lacks the ability or moral direction to make sense of this capitalist nightmare!
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Links:
- Scott Morrison calls for 'more love' as he prays for Australia at Hillsong conference (The Guardian)
- Australian politics doesn't need a Christian lobby (ABC AU)
- Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017
- Zoe Church: Hollywood's Latest Religious Obsession (Refinery29)
- Chad Veach (Instagram)
- This Preacher Would Be Happy to Share Your Bowl of Açaí (NYT)
- PushPay (Wiki)
- A preacher for Trump's America: Joel Osteen and the prosperity gospel (Financial Times)
- Popular Millennial Media Outlet Blasts L.A. Church for Practicing Basic Christian Beliefs (Faithwire)
- Hollywood's Holy Hipster Scene (VanityFair)