Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

Abanes provides a serious and helpful introduction and overview of the various religions, east and west, old and modern, that Hollywood personalities belong to. He provides a good social setting for the rise of religious fervor among the Hollywood crowd, negating the common popular view that Hollywood and the entertainment are irreligious or antireligious.

Fuller covers the main religions found among the acting and entertainment community. The most dominant by far is Scientology, and Abanes allots the largest portion of his book to this phenomenon that will strike most readers as science fiction. the well-documented coverage of Scientology amounts to a low-key, reasoned exposé. Readers will learn much detail and objective information about the other faiths of the stars.

Also covered are Mormonism, Wicca and other neo-pagan religions, "Oprah's New Spirituality" mixing aspects of several religious concepts and practices with Christian associations, and Kabbala, especially the cultic variation developed by Philip Berg decried by orthodox Kabballists.

One more is covered in good stead. In his discussion of Buddhism in California, Abanes as expected provides a good historical perspective on how Buddhism migrated into California in the 1800s with Chinese workers and immigrants. He outlines the general sects now found in two broad categories.

Abanes provides clear information distinguishing the major varieties of Buddhism and explains difference in character between Asian and American attitudes and practices in modern western Buddhism.

He closes each section with a good comparison of the similarities and differences between the religion in focus and traditional or mainline Christianity, with the evangelical color he seems to favor. I appreciated Abanes' even tone, even in describing areas he greatly disagreed with, as an evangelical Christian. He attempts to fairly represent the faith in focus, but is not stinting in presenting what he finds negative or destructive.

His comparison with Christianity is generally enlightening and helpful, though he tends to the reductionist rationalism that plagues evangelical quarters with what is often termed fundamentalism. He takes a scholarly approach, and he maintained a tone of reason and fairness. In fact he expressly attempts to address common misconceptions and misunderstandings of these new religions of which the majority of Americans are ignorant.

I found his last section, the conclusion of his discussion of Magick, to be the weakest. Here he attempts to draw a concluding perspective of warning for Christians. He expressed this tone of warning in his criticisms of the esoterism of the Kabbala movement. But summarizing his opposition to occultism in Wicca and related "Magick" paganism, Abanes becomes even stronger in tone.

Abanes sounds a little high-strung here, at the end of his polemic against paganism. He seems unaware that he himself speaks primarily out of a modern scientific perspective more than a traditional biblical perspective. His defenses of God's opposition to Magick emphasize the point of view of modern empiricism and the preference to "facts" and information over personal religious experience.

Here he seems to confuse reasons why God is "so opposed to occult spirituality" with the modern commitments to scientific reductionism about empirical and materialistic knowledge. He refers here to the "faulty information about the world, our lives, other people and the future" that is promulgated by Astrology and such.

So far so good, though this is a modern-culture (not traditional Christian) information-oriented focus. But the problem is, he provides this as the first reason why GOD is opposed to occult spirituality. This reason could conceivably be accepted as the polemic it is meant to be. But he then goes on to cite as a support that "no scientific evidence exists to prove that magick works."

I actually agree with this, but wonder why he references scientific evidence as a reason why God is (or should be) opposed to occultism. What does God care about the modern rationalist point of view? (He projects the western scientific worldview on God. God may not be opposed to it, but it certainly is not the perspective we see in the biblical texts!)

Surely God has better perspectives than modern western materialistic "science" and its attendant rationalist reduction as a way of thinking! Especially about morality and the meaning of life! What he provides, on the other hand, are good solid rational reasons why a modern reflective person of the scientific, empirical mindset might rightly reject occultism.

But let's not confuse empirical reductionist concepts of truth with God's objective truth of the Absolute reality and Truth of the universe. It is positive and good that what Abanes provides here is a very helpful, corrective for willy-nilly acceptance of any new thing that comes along, and especially the me-oriented power manipulation approach of Magick and occultism.

Abanes' language here seems to counter the premise of faith in God, when he primarily uses secular information-oriented concepts of Truth and knowledge, leaving the biblical base that still today most cultures of the world feel comfortable with -- the concrete-relational focus on relational knowledge, reconciliation and covenant faithfulness.

Despite the weak ending, this book is a positive contribution to understanding some of the confusing mish-mash that is offered to troubled souls in our time. Readers will learn a lot about the stars and about religions being practiced in the United States. They will gain a more positive and fair assessment, also, of these misunderstood faiths.

Religions of the Stars is 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.

Norman L. Geisler, Distinguished Professor of Theology and Apologetics and co-founder of Veritos Evangelical Seminary said, "This book is a long-overdue and illuminating look at the various faiths being espoused by today's most influential celebrities." Todd Wilken, Radio talk show host wrote, "Albanes employs a researcher's skill, examining our celebrated people and their religious beliefs. Then he applies the apologist's art, gently evaluating those beliefs in light of the Christian faith."

We need to be aware of how today's Hollywood spirituality affects the movies and televison programs we see, as well as how our 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 pop culture in this intriguing examination of the religious beliefs embraced by various Hollywood stars.

I found this book interesting and informative. Even though I am older and my children are grown, I still have a concern for others. I recommend this book for all young families.

Now I have always been interested in different religions even though I am a Christian. I wonder what other people believe and why? And of course some of them can be pretty far fetched in my opinion. Now why would I want to read this particular book. Well I have read before about Scientology and Kabbalah and was surprised that people actually bought into these beliefs. This is two of the religions discussed in the book by Richard Abanes.

Other religions are Wicca, Mormons, Buddhist and New Age Beliefs. Again I have read about many of these but still wanted to explore further. "Religions of the Stars" is broken down by each belief system and a major star that is a proponent of that religion. For example I always assumed that Oprah Winfrey was a Christian. Here I learn quite different. She practices New Age beliefs and they are quite different from my own. I was surprised to find that some people think that they control their own salvation. Now I agree we have choices in our personal beliefs but I don't think I have the ability to "save" myself.

I have had family and friends before that are from different ideologies. Learning more about Mormons, Wicca and Buddhism from them. Here in "Religion of the Stars" I was able to explore even more. The book was written in plain language that I could understand. Differences were pointed out in how each religion and Christianity differed. And how many mirrored the same beliefs and teachings too.

Most surprising was the religions of Scientology and Kabbalah. Amazing that people can really be reasoning and still "purchase" these religions. Yes, purchase is the right words. In order to advance in these religions you have to pay for each step up. Yeah! Odd in my opinion. Also there are sci-fi stories to explain our origins in Scientology. Yeah, we came from outer space. Well some people believe this. In Kabbalah a simple red string bracelet can keep evil from you. Hey, I have several different colors of string...does it have to be red?

If these things surprise you then take the time to read "Religion of the Stars" and judge for yourself. I know it was very enlightening for me.

Religions of the Stars: What Hollywood Believes and How It Affects You by Richard Abanes is a good survey and introduction on 6 of the major religions that are big in Hollywood. The 6 religions looked at are 1) Oprah's New Spirituality (New Age), 2) Mormonism, 3) Hinduism, 4) Scientology, 5)Kabbalah, and 6) Wicca/witchcraft.

Abanes' book as I said was a good introduction/overview of the 6 religions compared to Christianity. It is a quick read. I do wish Abanes had spent a little more time explaining on how to witness to friends who are connected to the various faiths. This book can be a good help or can cause a parent to flip out over all the stuff happening in Hollywood. The one thing over all especially with children and teens there has to be open communication between them and talk about this stuff.

There are other books that cover this topic in a more in depth way. For a survey of the related faiths involved it is a great book. For a more in depth look I would suggest you look else where.

I don't get why people are rating this book below five stars, but it is my opinion that Abanes told the truth, and sometimes people can't handle the truth.Richard Abanes has written a very informative and yet "polite" book for those who are just dying to know what in the world these entertainers believe.

First, let me tell you that I was hooked on the book because I do have a natural curiousity for knowing why people believe in certain things. I had my nose in the book just highlighting key witnessing points and I was even startled by what I read. So much so that often times I went: "This actor/actress/singer is nuts!! They believe what?"

So, here are a few things you will learn in Richard Abanes new book:

*Oprah and the New Age Movement- people actually think they are little Jesus's running around!

*Mormon's in the Movieland- Yeah, good people those Mormons, but you will learn why most of them believe we are gods ourselves.

*Buddha in Tinseltown- Buddha had the right idea, deny thyself from temptations...other than that it differs from Christianity greatly!

*Scientology- Tom Cruise is one of my favorite actors, but following L. Ron Hubbard, a man who lied, cheated, and was a phony is not someone I admire and follow.

*Kabbalah- Madonna is the forerunner of the red ribbon..but do we undertand the depth of Kabbalah?

*Magick- Harry Potter is a great series actually, but teens and moms are learning witchcraft and at an alarming rate.

I learned much about all of these religions and Abanes wrote it clearly and wth backup facts. It may seem he criticized our brilliant stars, but all he did was explain their belief, asked questions, and left scripture of hope in the end.

Loved it!

[...]

This is a very interesting book. It covers some of the main religions and some stars that belive in them. It then goes on to tell the differece between them and what the Bible says. It is written from a Christian viewpoint. It says how some of the beliefs have made it into TV programs. It is a good book to read.

Bethany House has done it again. First "The Karma of Jesus" and now "Religions of the Stars." In "The Karma of Jesus" author Mark Herringshaw took the time discuss the God's grace in comparison to Eastern Religions. In "Religions of the Stars" author Richard Abanes looks at the buffet of "religions" in Hollywood. In both books the authors attempts were to educate on other religions. Abanes takes this opportunity to respectfully present foundational information about each "religion." I think he does a good job at presenting the basic beliefs of each "religion." This book is very helpful for Christians to have a working understanding of Oprah's New Spirituality, Mormonism, Buddha, Scientology, Kabbalah, and the Occult. The belief systems that have been promoted by influential celebrities have been been slowly eroding away how Christianity is viewed and understood. Even though Abanes is respectful in his presentation of these "religions" his book helps us to understand how different they are and how they can affect us as Christians living in America. I recommend this book to all Christians.