Religions of the Stars: What Hollywood Believes and How It Affects You [Paperback]

Richard Abanes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2009

Today's culture is saturated with news about celebrities and their beliefs. Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, and Madonna all promote their own brand of spirituality. What do they really believe, and does it line up with what the Bible teaches? This book answers these questions, appealing to those curious about the religions of the rich and famous while holding up their beliefs to the light of the gospel. Concerned parents will also gain insight into the religious influences their kids may be exposed to in the media.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... fair but forceful, giving Scripture-based rebuttals to contrast how each worldview opposes the central theology of Christianity..." -- DeWayne Hamby, Charisma

From the Back Cover

A Fascinating Look at What Celebrities Believe You've probably heard that Tom Cruise is a Scientologist and Madonna follows the teachings of the Kabbalah. And you know that Oprah Winfrey is very spiritual. But what does it all mean? And more important, how does it affect you? Why is Scientology such a controversial religion? What does the Kabbalah teach? Which faiths are embraced by Richard Gere, Marie Osmond, Ashton Kutcher, and many other celebrities? How does Christianity line up with the popular religions of Hollywood? Inside this book you'll find the answers to these questions and more. You'll also discover how today's Hollywood spirituality affects the movies and television programs you see, as well as how your children might be influenced by the way these religions are portrayed in the media. Richard Abanes--former Broadway performer and television/film actor--blends his knowledge of the entertainment industry and his expertise in the area of world religions and cults in this intriguing examination of the religious beliefs embraced by various Hollywood stars.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House; Original edition (July 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764206486
• ISBN-13: 978-0764206481
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,069,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating look at the religions of the rich and famous, August 11, 2009

By 

Christina Lockstein "Christy's Book Blog" (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Religions of the Stars: What Hollywood Believes and How It Affects You (Paperback)

Religions of the Stars by Richard Abanes is a well-rounded thoughtful look at the religions of celebrities and how they compare to Christianity. I've read other books that are a bit similar, but Abanes takes an original approach is addressing the specific adherents of these beliefs, while never attacking or condescending. From the Church of Oprah to Scientology to Mormonism (who knew that both Napoleon Dynamite and Izzy Stevens were both Mormon?!?), Abanes presents the history and core beliefs of each religion. I appreciated his objective discussions without the snide comments of many other books in this genre. At the end of each chapter are a few paragraphs on how Christians can discuss Jesus with believers of that specific religion, but this book isn't just for Christians. Anyone looking for deeper insight into why some many celebrities congregate to New Spirituality or Kabbalah will gain understanding here.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What Are You Learning from What You're Watching?, August 6, 2009

By 

Joe (West Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Religions of the Stars: What Hollywood Believes and How It Affects You (Paperback)

I've "met" Richard Abanes on my many travels through the various travels through the "internet" world. World. His book, Religion of the Stars is a survey at what Hollywood actors believe and how it affects us.
This book is meticulously researched and offers a wide breath of what is going on in Hollywood. So often I've heard someone say, "Well, I heard so and so is a Christian." Abanes systematically shows what the major religious views of many of the leading voices in Hollywood and compares them to the Scriptures.
Essentially, this book is a primer on worldviews. Abanes does a skillful job of showing how a person's worldview will affect their actions and what they are teaching through their productions. This is what matters to you according to the author. We have to understand what is being taught by what we watch. If you were wondering what Kabbalah actually believes or where you might see Wiccan working its way into what you are watching, this book is a great jumping off point. Do you know that there's a better than average chance that you and your kids might be learning some of the things the Buddha is teaching? Pick up this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and enlightening, October 29, 2010

By 

Kim D. Smith "Delta Girl" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Religions of the Stars: What Hollywood Believes and How It Affects You (Paperback)

I bought this book as a research tool for a class that I teach on Cults and World Religions. It provided me with the information that I needed on how Hollywood subtly and not so subtly puts religious views into movies without our knowledge.

Great book.