Why Does Fake News So Often Succeed?
No, this is not a political article, although it easily could be. CNN has had to issue apologies and fire people over so many bogus stories that some are suggesting they change their name to FNN (Fake News Network). One has admitted that they have no evidence in the overworked "Trump-Russia Collusion" story, but they keep promoting it because their ratings and revenues are up. While not admirable, it does provide insight into why Fake News succeeds. The same premise holds true for Fake Spiritual News. People believe any fake news because: 1) It is so close to the truth that it seems to be credible; or 2) Many people would like for it to be true.
The story considered below seems to be genuine because of the first reason. Obviously, no one desires that it be so, but it is so close to what actually exists that it fools us into thinking it is legitimate. The headline is:
"Church To Cease All References To God In Effort To Boost Attendance"
One's first reaction is probably, "Oh, surely not." But then one thinks about what "churches" have already done to boost attendance. They've had luaus and hula dancing, given away pina coladas (non-alcoholic), and who knows how many other zany gimmicks all designed to increase attendance. If companies are printing gender-neutral versions of the Scriptures, does the headline above sound so far-fetched?
Included in the fake article is a picture of what could be a church building, although a sign is absent. The only name given to this religious group is the Journey Church, which sounds like many other modern names. Many are just as willing to try a fly-by-night outfit as they are a group with name recognition because, after all, "We are all trying to go to the same place"; "Doctrine doesn't matter"; and "One church is as good as another." None of these are Biblical concepts, but what they lack in Scriptural authority, they make up for in popular appeal. Below is the first fake paragraph.
Explaining that their dwindling attendance had to be dealt with "by any means necessary," the leadership of the Journey Church announced Monday that they are ceasing all reference to God in their Sunday services, small groups, outreach efforts, and printed materials, effective immediately.
If it were true, one wonders to whom they would pray and whom their songs would honor? How would that work? "Kneel at the cross; someone will meet you there." "Come let us all unite to sing, love, love, love." "When All the Good Singers Get Home." Songs about heaven might work—but not any about the Judgment. No one wants to hear about that.
The last sentence in the fake article says:
Instead of "God talk," the church plans to offer Sunday messages focused on more relevant issues, like self-improvement, sports, movies, health, and positive thinking.
Sounds like it would appeal to a lot of the population, doesn't it? Nobody wants to hear anything about such antiquated concepts as sin, which is so outdated. People don't choose to do wrong. They are simply weak or a product of their environment. Maybe they were born that way and just cannot help being what they are. Everybody knows that the Bible will not change anyone's thinking—not like the power of positive thinking. Psychology is what people need to improve themselves. They should eliminate free radicals from their physical bodies and fill their minds with positive, "You can do it," precepts. Come on, keeping commandments is so "old school." People don't want to experience fear; they want to embrace what is joyful.
"God talk" includes such archaic concepts as sin and repentance. Why, a person might think that human beings were flawed. Okay, some are, but most are just fun-loving souls who don't want to be tied down to moral precepts that would make them feel guilty about drinking, dancing, immodest clothing, vulgar movies, and so on. Who wants to constantly worry about one's speech? Nobody cares about profanity any more. Avoiding euphemisms of God's name is really boring. Nobody really cares except for some religious fanatics left over from the Puritan era.
Why not come to a church that is totally free from making any judgments whatsoever? There must be a Scripture somewhere that says, "If it feels good, do it." As long as members love and affirm one another, everyone will feel good about themselves. And how much easier is it to be evangelistic in such a wonderful atmosphere? The motto could be, "Whatever you think, feel, or practice is all right with us." Replace religion with humanism; that's the idea.
Seriously, however, how many churches have moved away from the Scriptures in that direction, even though they might not be so brutally honest about it? How many—even among "religious" people—are searching for God and truth? Truth matters in every aspect of life—from mathematics to science to literature to history. Why does it not matter with respect to the origin of the world, our relationship to our Creator, the purpose for our existence, and our ultimate dwelling place? Truth seems to matter more in a trivia contest than it does as it pertains to life. Is there something wrong with our priorities? Are we listening more to the devil than to God?
But what makes the story seem most real follows:
"We're a church, and like any other business, we have a bottom line. We've got to get more giving units in here, and to do that, we are going to give customers what they want—which is not God."
These words came in connection with a statement by the "pastor" regarding a debt they had acquired just five years previously that was not going to pay itself off. This is the part of the fake news article that lends it the most credibility. For so many religious groups, it's all about money. A quick check of the "televangelists" will find that most of them plead for money: "We're doing so much good with this program; please help keep us on the air."
Local churches also hit up their members and visitors with outrageous appeals. Allegedly, one church in Fort Wayne, Indiana (unless this is fake news, also), counted the collection and announced that it wasn't enough. After counting the second offering, they locked the doors and said no one could leave until they reached their goal. One group broadcasting from the Orlando area also experienced a shortfall of funds. The "pastor" told the crowd: "God has informed me that there is someone who wants to give a $100 bill this morning who has not yet done so." A half-dozen people ponied up. These people are simply out to raise money, and they have no scruples.
Another woman was told by a local group that she needed to be baptized so that they could put her on their tithing list. And that's all that "members" of a religious group are at times—giving units. Probably no one has ever called them that (at least, publicly), but it certainly is typical of the thinking of certain "churches." How often do such leaders "launch out on faith" when it comes to spending money on a facility but then hound members to pay for it?
How many actually regard overseeing a church as a business? If so, their members become customers, and the way to keep customers is to give them what they want. One group in Pittsburgh was having "Las Vegas Nights" as a fundraiser 40 years ago. Yes, they were allowed to have slot machines and various forms of gambling—not to mention lots of beer. It proved to be a very popular event (radio publicity was free).
The fake religious news story under consideration came from the Babylon Bee, which is a satirical religious website. The one we looked at here was from June 15, 2016. They did an excellent job with this one in making it seem genuine. They always have items posted, however; for June 27th it was: "Man Searching Bible For Part Where It Says Only Americans Are Made In God's Image." For June 23, one could read: "New Chick-Fil-A Miraculously Constructed In Six Literal Days." These, however, do not quite have the ring of authenticity that the one about boosting church attendance does. It pays to check out all news stories—particularly those in the regular news media. Now, however, be sure to verify religious news items, also.