Within the documentary series, There is one category that has long been in vogue: stories about religious sects. Just do some memoir and remember the Wild and wild country (Netflix), which chronicles spiritual leader Osho’s controversial foray into the United States.
or the most recent Behind the Veil: Surviving in the Light of the World Church (HBO), which explores the allegations of sexual abuse that have fallen on the leaders of that Mexican Christian church.
This Tuesday, January 17, HBO Max will debut The Hillsong scandalsa docuseries that delves into the recent controversies surrounding Hillsong, a veritable empire of faith, with more than 150 thousand members worldwidewhich attracts the rich and famous faithful.
Through four episodes, This production collects testimonies from former pastors and the woman who reported having an affair with one of the church leaders. She is the stylist Ranin Karim, who has publicly confessed her relationship with pastor Carl Lentz, which led to her ruin.
Lentz was one of the church’s leading figures in the United States and, until then, a spiritual advisor to celebrities. He had a relationship with Ranin for five months, even though he was married.
Also weighing on Hillsong’s reputation are allegations of exploitation, various types of abuse and silent pacts on shady deals: Former pastors and Hillsong members also speak on camerarevealing stories of corruption and aggression.
The series shows the history of Hillsong and how it became an international religious brand and luxury that attracted celebrities, especially in the United States.
The production also analyzes the facts behind the headlines that highlighted the scandals linked to the name of the Church, and clarifies the fine line that exists between culture, business and faith.
The charismatic church of Bieber and Kevin Durant
Founded by New Zealand pastor Brian Houston and his wife Bobbie, in Sydney, Australia in 1983, Hillsong was at the forefront of modern Christianity.
He had managed to establish a rapidly expanding community that attracted young people and the urban population with energetic preachers and ceremonies with cheerful atmospheres.
Hillsong’s secret was to translate the experience of charismatic churches, those that emphasize miracles and personal encounters with the Holy Spirit.
Justin Bieber -Carl Lentz’s personal friend-, Selena Gomez and NBA star Kevin Durant were some of the celebrities who attended his cults; one of the Church’s praise bands won a Grammy Award and the Church has generated a large number of hymns that other smaller Churches have used as a foundation to replicate their Instagram-friendly sound, style, and aesthetic.
But as much of the controversy exposed by the documentary series has begun to come to light, Hillsong Church presence in the United States is in full decline.
The centers that remain are in the Northeast and in California, which means this Hillsong no longer has a significant presence throughout the North American country.
Source: Clarin
