In retrospect of the near-constant exposure of religion and their idolized celebrities, I figured it's about time someone brought up the topic:
When, and why, did religion become part of Popular Culture and extend from our mere dinnertime (or possibly more intimate activities, for us witches) rituals to our t.v. viewing and political infrastructure? Somehow, this big battle of God vs.Scientology (while together thwarting the existance of Buddhism (sp?) and many other zen-based cultures and beliefs) became more than a mid-mass conversation and an outright war.

Personally, I'm sick of hearing Pop stars-gone-preachers telling me to believe in their own system of faith. What the hell are they going to do if I don't? Kick me out of their fan-club?
If I had the nerve to sign-up in the first place, I'd've probably deserved something like that:
But I didn't, so who cares? XD

Anyways, what I'm looking for in this thread is your concepts and ideas on the idiology of Religion in our Popular Culture and it's effect upon our lives as a whole:
Be it in the workplace, home, school, or strip-clubs: Speak your mind.

Religion doesn't have much of an effect here in Ireland, at least around where I live. I found out a girl my age who I'm friends with and she lives like 4 doors down was a protestant, I didn't care, she's still my friend. I hate it up in the north of Ireland the way they are always fighting because of religion and stuff. I know it's not just religion, but it mostly is. (Note: Protestants live in the north and so do Catholics, they hate each other.)

Anyway, that's about it from me on this. *slaps you and walks away*

I have a far to practical mentality to believe deeply in any Religion, although as strange as it might sound I wish I did. What troubles me is death, it's something I think about a lot, especially when I go to sleep since I don't have anything to do except think and the answers I get from a purely Scientific view aren't at all comforting. I don't like to think that I will just cease to exist when I die. But, I can't bring myself to believe in God as such or even an afterlife, I wish I did but I'm far too knowedgable about practical matters to do so.

As for religion, the only Religion I really approve of is Buddhism, because it's really the only non-militant Religion and passive Religion worldwide. Christianity, Islam and other conversion religions in the end break their own teachings to aqquire more converts, the Crusades and the current wave of Terrorism clearly demonstrate my point. I have a set of moral and ethical views which are slowly formulating, but it doesn't consitute as a religious belief, rather a world view.

America is a very religious country and if you live there, it goes part of the way to explaining your complaints. No offence, but it goes against the grain when anyone says "God Bless America", as if God is not permitted to bless anyone else and America is somehow inately superior. Pop Idols and Icons no doubt use it as a marketing tool and in the Capatalist society of the West, it's not altogether surprising either.

I think its become popular to be religios because ppl let go of it for so long... its being seen as a fad like retro. It saddens me. Im not really into being of one religion, they all have their goods and bads but i havent found one that is in my range of beleifs. (no matter how much studing i do)

It does look like a bit of a fad, doesn't it? I feel the same way. Of course, I'm a somewhat religious person myself, so it saddens me for different reason. On an educated guess, I'd say less than half of the people being so outspoken about religion all of a sudden are adherent to what they're saying they believe in a very big way.

Religion isnt as much a part of ordinary every day life as it was years back, and its effects on decisions definetly seems to be fading away.
What i really hate is those stubborn people who shove their religion down your throat, saying that THEIR religion is right, fuck yours.
I mean, a friend of mine was friends with this protestant, whom shoved her beliefs down her throats constantly. Saying things like, 'well your going to hell so there.' at random times, and ultimately they stopped being friends as my friend wouldnt convert. Simply for that.
She went and complained to her wiccan friend about how she was treated. And do you know what she got told? Fuck this bitch that lost you over religion. Her religion means fuck all. Now wiccan on the other had is like no other religion, it gives a better perspective etc etc`..
She started forcing HER beliefs down her throat.
Damn it all. Leave people to their beliefs. I mean, i aint christian no more but as my friend is i advise her to pray when she feels overwhelmed with problems. Cos i know it will make her feel better.
We all have our own philosophy. No one wants another shoved on them.