Did Justin Bieber just join a cult? Justin Bieber is currently holed up at Rancho Mirage for the next two weeks with his celebrity pastor Carl Lentz. Lentz is the same pastor that baptized the Biebs earlier this year in NYC when rumors began circulating that Justin was turning over a new leaf and attending church with his on-again off-again girlfriend Selena Gomez. According to TMZ Justin has, “exiled himself from friends, alcohol, weed and everything else that doesn’t involve the good Lord.”
At first glance Justin’s recent soul searching is almost admirable. If anyone needs Jesus in their lives, it’s him. I’ll be the first to admit I know little to nothing about religion, but I do know how to use Google. And, I’m pretty sure when most people go to church on Sunday it doesn’t look like a Rolling Stones concert. Carl Lentz is a pastor at Hillsong Church, which originated in Australia in the 1980’s, but has been spreading like rapid fire across the globe and recruiting new members left and right.
So, is Justin Bieber’s new church a cult? Well, in hopes of avoiding thousands of crazed letters from devoted and brainwashed followers – you can decide that for yourself.
But, here are some interesting facts about Hillsong. The organization is raking in over $50 Million a year in donations, which it requires from its followers. The church practices “tithing,” and orders their members to give 10% of their annual income to donations, regardless of how poor or rich you are. On top of their donations the organization also takes federal grants and doesn’t pay taxes. Where does the money go? Well a measly $1 or $2 Million goes to charity, and the rest is used to build state of the art “churches” which look more like arenas and concert halls and line the founders’ pockets.
On top of Hillsong’s questionable finances and profits, one of the original founders, Frank Houston, father of pastor Bryan Houston was caught up in a child molestation scandal. The church was even accused of stacking votes and cheating during a season of Australian American Idol. Websites and internet crusades have even been started to try and stop the powerful Hillsong Church, and protesters have even compared the church to the illuminati. A simple Google search of Hillsong and Carl Lentz will absolutely blow your mind.
If Hillsong is as dangerous as the Internet and video below says it is, we are all in serious trouble. Right now Justin Bieber is hulled up at a resort with Lentz learning how to spread the Hillsong word. Imagine how many young, brainwashed Beliebers will be joining the church, and sending 10% of their allowances to Australia. On second thought, imagine the damage that Hillsong can do with 10% of Bieber’s annual income. Ironically, Justin Bieber finding religion might just be the worst thing to ever happen to his fans, their parents and the rest of America.
