Have you ever wondered how it is that for every preacher with a certain belief there are people that share that belief and fill his 'church' building?
Every denomination has people to pack the pews. Every religion has people that follow it. Every cult has members.
Every preacher has a 'flock'. Every preacher has listeners. TV evangalists have people sitting in their homes, glued to their TV's listening to what they're teaching.
Whether those teachings are Biblically right or wrong...they listen. They line up to support their favorite preacher. They send him money. They stand up for him when anyone speaks against him. They let him teach them the ways of 'God.' They let Him lead them because they think they need a leader. They let Him guide them. They often put their entire faith in Him. They follow him.
The same thing happens in every 'church' building in the world every time the doors open to deliver a message.
Why?
Because for every belief behind the message there are people supporting the belief and agreeing with it. A preacher wouldn't stand in front of an empty room week after week and continue to deliver a sermon to no one. They need someone there that believes as he does so he can teach and instruct them in the ways of the gospel according to how he sees it.
Those beliefs keep those people coming back week after week. They ensure the preacher continues to come up with new sermons. He is teaching his 'flock' according to their beliefs.
These beliefs don't exist without people that believe in them. And it isn't limited to religion or Christianity. For every type of movie, video game, or book on the store shelf there's a following of people waiting to buy them. They often line up, excited to see it when it first releases, they line up to buy it when it becomes available for sale. Pre-buying months in advance has become normal for books, movies, and video games.
The entertainment industry exists for the sole purpose of entertaining. They're there because they've discovered that entertaining people is a multi billion dollar industry. And it's an industry that needs not worry about it's future. Their jobs are secure. People will always want to be entertained. They will keep buying movies. Keep buying books. Keep buying video games. Because they're fun. Because they give them a way to pass the time. They fill empty hours. They make them feel good. And a million other reasons why people keep turning to these things.
But what of American Christianity? How many church buildings can you walk into and not see that the services are set up to entertain? The music is, in many 'churches', very similar to a concert or a performance. If you pick up a bulletin or 'church' calendar you will see a list of things for the coming week or month aimed at keeping the members busy. They are aimed at 'serving' the members. They're there to 'teach' the members. Barbecue anyone? We have that. Movie night? We have that. Men's group? We have that. Women's group? We have that. Children's programs? We have that. Babysitting so mom and dad can have a date night? We have that. Singles night? We have that. Divorce support? We have that. You name it it can probably be found in one 'church' building or another.
But beyond that...what of the preaching? What of the message being delivered by the preacher? Does the preacher get up there and talk about the truths of Scripture? Does he tell you that you're a sinner? Does he tell you that unless you repent and believe you will go to hell? Does he tell you that you aren't saved even though you said a prayer that doesn't exist in Scripture?
Or is he entertaining the congregation?
Is he telling them things they want to hear? Is he telling them things that make them feel better?
Is it Christianity?
Or is it another entertainment industry?
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