Why doesn't the Church do something to stop Hillsong?

[Domiy]

For those of you not aware, there is an ever-growing group of churches who go by the name of Hillsong. Apparently they started out in Australia and have spread around the world. They’re the closest resemblance of a ‘cult’ that you typically hear about it. They guise under the Catholic/Christian faith, but practice it purely for the profit sake, and from what I hear, their preaching and teachings are terribly wrong.

Many people are commonly falling trap to their brainwashing techniques. We’ve known many people who have started attending their services regularly, and they come back quite different to the way they used to be. They display a great sense of Pride in themselves “You are not as Holy as us because we are Hillsong” is the kind of attitude their people display (although not in those exact words). The worst part is that it’s purely a money scam. The originator is a multi-million-air, and it’s hard not to be when the Church services stress the importance of giving more and more money to the collection plate (even going as far to imply that the more you give, the better you are in God’s eyes). So much so that they even have specially designed collection plates with weighted holes at the bottom; throwing in coins causing them to fall straight out, so you’re forced to throw in notes instead.

Can’t the Catholic Church do something, legally or otherwise about it? At the very least, you’d expect they’d be warning people to take caution with such groups. Anyone heard anything about this and where they stand?

 

[Skye_Ariel]

I never heard of them before, but there are so many false churches out there this group just sounds like another one that pooped up. The Church does warn us to look out for all of those kinds of groups.

 

[Zimm3r]

There is a band called Hillsong but that is all I know, and just to point out aren’t people different after such a change whether from theism to atheism or theism to atheism or whatever; people change…

 

[snowflakeinlove]

There is a band called Hillsong but that is all I know, and just to point out aren’t people different after such a change whether from theism to atheism or theism to atheism or whatever; people change…

I think the band is affiliated with the church the OP is talking about.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

The days of the Church being able to stop a heretical cult are long over by at least 300 plus years!
Holy Mother Church has much experience with these things and has found to leave them alone because all of them die out sooner or later. She has learned that to come out publicly against them just gives these cults more ammunition with which to attract new members.

 

[Daizies]

I hate to break it to you, but there are a lot of churches out there like Hillsong, and some even worse. Although I gotta say the collection plate is a new one on me - I know a few churches I used to go to would LOVE to get some of those for themselves. But they did have their own interac machine to take debit and credit cards for your “tithe” …

Honestly though, if the various protestant groups cannot even control their own members (never mind groups from a different denomination), there is no reason to think that the Catholic Church can control them either. That and if the Catholic Church came out against them, many people would join hillsong - because if the Catholics say its bad, it has to be good (I grew up being taught this sort of mentality so I KNOW it will happen)

 

[po18guy]

If the Church could shut heresy down, Hillsong would be number 30,001 on the list of law suits. Since the reformation, Pandora’s box has been dynamited open. Heretical teachings have literally gone viral. Yet, they have no staying power, because they have no roots. They are like the seed sown on rocky soil that springs up at once, but when the heat of the sun shines on it, it withers. Take a look and decide for yourself:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillsong_Church

hillsong.com/ **

** note that it is “.com” and not “.org”

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Can you explain the brainwashing techniques the use?

I see the term “brainwashing,” thrown around a lot, but having taken a seminar at a Catholic Conference on the technique of “brainwashing,” most accusations about it’s use are false.

Jim

 

[SecretGarden]

If you are talking about Hillsong United all I can say is: give me a break. Their music speaks about Christ. Many Catholic and Protestant churches sing their music during their services and masses. Plus many listen on their various electronic devices. The theme of all of their music is Christ. One can’t get more family friendly music then them. If someone is transformed by their music in a positive spiritually way, all the better. We need more Catholics to get excited about their faith. If more people were excited, our churches would be filling verses closing down.

 

[Domiy]

If you are talking about Hillsong United all I can say is: give me a break. Their music speaks about Christ. Many Catholic and Protestant churches sing their music during their services and masses. Plus many listen on their various electronic devices. The theme of all of their music is Christ. One can’t get more family friendly music then them. If someone is transformed by their music in a positive spiritually way, all the better. We need more Catholics to get excited about their faith. If more people were excited, our churches would be filling verses closing down.

So, that’s all it takes for a good church and a good believer in Christ? Enjoying some upbeat happy music? Dude!

I admit, Hillsong United do have some good songs, and I don’t deny that most members of their church believe in Christ, but it’s quite clear that the actual organization and church teachings itself are not aligned with Christ. Having credit card machines and ATM’s inside the church, prohibiting the donation of coins over notes, and quite frankly from what I’ve heard they won’t even let you attend services and their activities if you don’t donate regularly. If that doesn’t smell of money-making scam I don’t know what does.

Churches like this, they tend (or pretend) to focus a lot on doing good works, spreading the gospel, creating cheerfulness in Christ etc, but they lack any sort of spiritual guidance or knowledge. Most members see it as a nice friendly hangout to feel good instead of actually connecting with Christ spiritually.

*Can you explain the brainwashing techniques the use?

I see the term “brainwashing,” thrown around a lot, but having taken a seminar at a Catholic Conference on the technique of “brainwashing,” most accusations about it’s use are false.

Jim
*

I wouldn’t exactly know, but with all those people blindly throwing their money away and not noticing the inconsistencies (and as said their perceived sense of difference after joining), it’s obvious that something is going on between them. Probably the work of the devil, or just very good psychological manipulation mixed with creating a need based around guilt and hope.

 

[agnes_therese]

Do you have some facts to back up your charges against Hillsong, or is this just gossip?
Exactly what “brainwashing techniques” do they use?

For those of you not aware, there is an ever-growing group of churches who go by the name of Hillsong. Apparently they started out in Australia and have spread around the world. They’re the closest resemblance of a ‘cult’ that you typically hear about it. They guise under the Catholic/Christian faith, but practice it purely for the profit sake, and from what I hear, their preaching and teachings are terribly wrong.

Many people are commonly falling trap to their brainwashing techniques. We’ve known many people who have started attending their services regularly, and they come back quite different to the way they used to be. They display a great sense of Pride in themselves “You are not as Holy as us because we are Hillsong” is the kind of attitude their people display (although not in those exact words). The worst part is that it’s purely a money scam. The originator is a multi-million-air, and it’s hard not to be when the Church services stress the importance of giving more and more money to the collection plate (even going as far to imply that the more you give, the better you are in God’s eyes). So much so that they even have specially designed collection plates with weighted holes at the bottom; throwing in coins causing them to fall straight out, so you’re forced to throw in notes instead.

Can’t the Catholic Church do something, legally or otherwise about it? At the very least, you’d expect they’d be warning people to take caution with such groups. Anyone heard anything about this and where they stand?

 

[psalm27]

I just got off the phone with my dad who said his friend is a member of the Hillsong church in Australia. He said he was currently in an argument with him because his friend is killing abortionists. My dad’s trying to convince him that this is not what God calls us to do.

His friend is encouraged by the Hillsong church to continue doing this, so we really need to pray for them.

 

[agnes_therese]

Hmm, can’t find any news stories about abortionists killed in Australia.

I just got off the phone with my dad who said his friend is a member of the Hillsong church in Australia. He said he was currently in an argument with him because his friend is killing abortionists. My dad’s trying to convince him that this is not what God calls us to do.

His friend is encouraged by the Hillsong church to continue doing this, so we really need to pray for them.

 

[Domiy]

Hmm, can’t find any news stories about abortionists killed in Australia.

With money, everything is possible.

They’ve also managed to keep their other criticism and controversy out of excessive media spotlight as well. Not surprising. These guys are pretty big. They own their own Christian radio station, which I have to admit I listen to for the good songs and Christian talk once in a while but their disposable power and position is alarming nonetheless.

 

[agnes_therese]

With money, everything is possible.

They’ve also managed to keep their other criticism and controversy out of excessive media spotlight as well. Not surprising. These guys are pretty big. They own their own Christian radio station, which I have to admit I listen to for the good songs and Christian talk once in a while but their disposable power and position is alarming nonetheless.

They’re keeping murders of abortion providers completely out of the news? Right. We didn’t land on the moon, either, it was all faked.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

I just got off the phone with my dad who said his friend is a member of the Hillsong church in Australia. He said he was currently in an argument with him because his friend is killing abortionists. My dad’s trying to convince him that this is not what God calls us to do.

His friend is encouraged by the Hillsong church to continue doing this, so we really need to pray for them.

This is a bit over the top. The references below were the only items of anti-abortionist violence I could find on Wikipedia, and they’re 11 and 3 years old.

Australia

July 16, 2001: Steven Rogers, a security guard at a clinic in Melbourne, Australia was shot in the chest and killed by Peter James Knight. Knight was charged and was sentenced to life in prison on November 19, 2002.[41]

January 6, 2009: A firebombing using Molotov cocktails was attempted at a medical clinic in Mosman Park, Western Australia. Faulty construction of the bombs limited damage to a single external burnt area, though if successful damage would have been severe. It is believed that the inviduals who made the attack were responsible for graffiti “baby killers” on the site, indicating a pro-life reason for the attack. The site turned out to in fact not be an abortion clinic, though the attackers most likely were not aware of this.[42]

To be honest, I find some of the assertions about Hillsong to be a bit bizarre. I think they’re the anti-protestant equivalent of Jack Chick.

 

[GreatergoodGod]

Being a former pentecostal myself, I can see how hillsong can be viewed as a cult. Those sort of churhes can have a performance drive and money does get preached about a lot. But really this is a reflection on our western culture. On the other extreme I have been to a church where people claimed to see gold dust on their hands.

 

[CB_Catholic]

While I can’t speak for Hillsong, I can speak for the Catholic Church, which teaches that slander and gossip are sins, possibly mortal. Before anyone goes around accusing them of brainwashing, money-grubbing, and worst of all, murdering abortionists, they better have their facts straight and be able to prove it, and prove these people are a cult, murderers,or whatever else they are being accused of.

Remember what Jesus said: the manner in which you judge will be how you are judged. So if you are falsely accusing and judging, you are in a lot of trouble. The shame is on you if you are guilty of this.

They are not exempt from our showing a little Christian charity either. God loves them as much as He loves Catholics, and anyone who loves the Lord with His whole heart is pleasing to Him, Protestant or Catholic.

 

[Domiy]

While I can’t speak for Hillsong, I can speak for the Catholic Church, which teaches that slander and gossip are sins, possibly mortal. Before anyone goes around accusing them of brainwashing, money-grubbing, and worst of all, murdering abortionists, they better have their facts straight and be able to prove it, and prove these people are a cult, murderers,or whatever else they are being accused of.

Remember what Jesus said: the manner in which you judge will be how you are judged. So if you are falsely accusing and judging, you are in a lot of trouble. The shame is on you if you are guilty of this.

They are not exempt from our showing a little Christian charity either. God loves them as much as He loves Catholics, and anyone who loves the Lord with His whole heart is pleasing to Him, Protestant or Catholic.

So what exactly constitutes proof or concrete evidence? You can’t expect me to hire lawyers and detectives to get to the bottom of it. I’m not engaged in lawsuit, I’m simply going by what I’ve heard, and what I’ve heard comes from popular news, people that have been in Hillsong before, and by simple observation. I find that to be pretty strong sources.

If you see a man killing someone, you know he’s doing wrong. I’m not a lawyer or a cop, so technically I wouldn’t have any evidence to prove what I saw, but the more interesting question here is why would I lie? What do I have to gain by discrediting Hillsong? Only the health and goodness of my faith and it’s reputation, and of course my people.

I’m not condemning them to Hell, or even saying they should be shut down, but what I am saying is that their teachings and actions are quite contrary to that of the Christian faith which they claim to follow, so Church action is a wise idea. At the very least, I’d warn people to stay away and not be fooled by their persuasion.

There’s a big difference between rightfully judging (rebuking sin) and talking slander. On that note, what exactly constitutes slander or gossip by the Church’s standards? If you call someone fat or goofy behind their back when in fact they are fat or goofy, as harsh as these words are, it is the truth. In no way am I any better than someone who’s fat or goofy, I’m still a sinner with my own faults, but I’m simply observing and telling how I see it. While people may not like the fact that they’re a certain way, the harsh reality is that it’s their burden, and pointing that out to people, while in no way beneficial, is not exactly wrong either seeing as it’s not false or mislead deception, it’s the truth. As long as you don’t bring it down to the point of “I’m better than them” or “they’re terrible human beings”, it’s hardly deemed as judgement. Jesus pointed out peoples wrongs and impurities many times. “This man is a leper”, “this man is blind”, “this woman is a sinner”, “Judas betrayed me”, “they sound trumpets before they give charity to be seen”, “they disgruntle their faces so they appear to be fasting” etc. Of course, anyone could’ve also asked Jesus at that time “Oh, what proof do you have of this?” But the reality is that he has no gain or motive to lie about such things, so they listened.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

While I can’t speak for Hillsong, I can speak for the Catholic Church, which teaches that slander and gossip are sins, possibly mortal. Before anyone goes around accusing them of brainwashing, money-grubbing, and worst of all, murdering abortionists, they better have their facts straight and be able to prove it, and prove these people are a cult, murderers,or whatever else they are being accused of.

Remember what Jesus said: the manner in which you judge will be how you are judged. So if you are falsely accusing and judging, you are in a lot of trouble. The shame is on you if you are guilty of this.

They are not exempt from our showing a little Christian charity either. God loves them as much as He loves Catholics, and anyone who loves the Lord with His whole heart is pleasing to Him, Protestant or Catholic.

Amen!