Hillsong spreads its tentacles
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Some Australians make it big overseas. Think Ken Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis, a creationist organisation that operates The Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter in the US. Think Rupert Murdoch. Think Brian Houston.
Actually Brian Houston was born in New Zealand but his Hillsong empire began and continues in Sydney. It now operates branches in the US, the UK, Europe and Asia. With phenomenally successful music and media businesses under its belt, Hillsong pulls in around $100m a year, all tax free. This month, Schwarz media's The Monthly has a wonderfully evocative description of the ecstasy induced by one of Brian Houston's Hillsong extravaganzas ...
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"Defining Brian Houston as a pastor is like calling Rupert Murdoch a newspaper publisher. Houston and Murdoch are two unprodigal sons from the lucky country who revolutionised their fathers’ vocations, fuelled by visions of a global empire that could shape the beliefs of those who consume their seductive products."
"The bells and whistles alone,” says [Lyle] Shelton, “are not enough. You can get that at a U2 concert. Combine that with the work of God. That supernatural dimension that can’t be explained in human terms. That to me is the X factor. That’s the real secret of their success."
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“What I am deeply concerned about,” [Kevin] Rudd tells me, “is the level of active business, political and theological manipulation by many of those in power, who know precisely what they are doing. ... If you want to see the future that the Pentecostal movement seeks for Australia, then look at what happens under Trump’s America today.”
"Houston’s relationship with the Morrisons left such a distinct impression that Scott acknowledged him as a personal mentor. 'Australia is not a secular country,” he said, shortly after name-dropping Houston. 'It is a free country. This is a nation where you have the freedom to follow any belief system you choose. Secularism is just one.
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So what?
It's important to understand the psychology behind movements like the Pentecostalist Hillsong. Because among other things, they want to capture the hearts and minds of our youth. And turn them into proselytising evangelists for their cause, who see it as their God-given duty to infiltrate political parties and control public policy. As Kevin Rudd said, if you want to see the future for Australia under Pentecostalism, look to Trump's America.
Please add your voice to a petition to stop Hillsong infiltrating Australian schools.
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These religious movements divide Australians into the true believers and the "yet-to-be-saved". They divide our schools and divide us as a nation. Don't let them divide us! Sign up to our campaign here. And get at least one other to sign up too!
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