“The Reports of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated” – Religion (2025)
The topic’s been discussed for decades, at least here in the U.S., but I imagine it’s happening worldwide. Church pews are emptying. Belief in a higher power is fading. And with it, our collective ethics and values. I won’t argue that last part as I think there’s truth to it.
But make no mistake: religion isn’t dead.
Nay! It’s stronger than ever. We just no longer recognize it.
In the traditional sense, the data doesn’t lie. Fewer people attend church. Some still show up for holiday services, punching that heaven card just in case. Like soul insurance; you wanna ensure you can file that claim at the end of the road.
But if you’re paying attention, you’ll see it…..religion is alive and well.
Thriving.
Pulsing through the very fabric of society (I think the cool kids say this).
And we have technology to thank.
An Army of Idols, Baptized by Binary
The pews aren’t empty. They’ve just been replaced.
Tablets. Smartphones. Monitors. Smart Watches.
And the “sermons” being preached? They’re highly specialized, curated for each individual, down to the hashtag. The church is no longer a centralized building. It’s a swap meet of micro-religions, each vying for your time, your loyalty, and your tithe.
Social Media: The New Temple
Twitter (X, I guess). TikTok. Facebook. LinkedIn. Snapchat.
These are the sacred grounds of the modern age.
They offer everything a religion needs:
- A soapbox to preach from
- A congregation of the like-minded
- A chosen voice to follow
- A doctrine to defend
And just like the churches of old, those with the biggest congregations are the ones who have the power.
Think about how many people have been injured, arrested, or killed, in pursuit of more followers.
Follow Me, My Child
Outside of social media… what else calls them followers?
Religion. That’s it.
And the term influencer? That’s just a modern-day prophet with a ring light. Hmm, a ring-light prophet yep that’s what I’m calling them from now on. RLP for short.
Someone anointed not by the divine, but by the algorithm. Which arguably has its own unique divinity. Influencers pray to the algorithm divinity to send it more followers.
Criticize the prophet, and watch what happens.
People get doxxed. Harassed. Threatened.
Not because they were wrong, but because they blasphemed.
Even reasoned critiques get swallowed by the mob and regurgitated as heresy.
You don’t challenge the prophet, unless you’re prepared to feel the wrath of their followers.
Blind Faith in the Feed
We Trust without validation. It’s weird to actually say that out loud, but it’s true – in both religion and social media. We trust the person delivering the word implicitly. We follow their advice, try their strategies because they know what they’re talking about. We also seem to assume the same level of trust for a social influencer.
Hell, I’ve been caught watching a video providing financial or diet advice, and thinking hey this person’s making sense. Then thinking to myself, you know nothing about this person. Then I’ll say, well yeah, but you don’t know anything about your financial advisor. Then I’ll say, well at least he’s employed by [insert financial firm], so that’s something. Then I stop, because my wife is staring at me from across the room with that “yeah I married that” face.
I’ve also seen:
How many people take financial advice from the RLP?
How many mimic bizarre trends for a fleeting mention?
How many are willing to sacrifice everything, jobs, relationships, sanity, for the RLP?
That’s not fandom. That’s devotion.
And religion is the only thing I know that commands that kind of loyalty.
I’ve seen videos promoting everything from rational to outright delusional strategies, and many emulate the most successful ones. Hell, most are just trying to one-up the absurdity, all for the adoration, all for the chance to spread their word.
Repackaged and Streamlined
Religion isn’t dead.
It’s just been rebranded.
Redesigned into a sleeker, more addictive product.
Pews and hymns have been replaced by screens and monitors.
The collection plate has been replaced by Patreon and PayPal.
No need to knock on doors, just go viral.
All Praise the Algorithm
Even the spiritual journey has been outsourced to the algorithm.
Worried you won’t find your people? Don’t be.
The feed will sort you into the right tribe.
It will ensure you’re outraging alongside folks just like you.
The Faithful Remain steadfast
Don’t get me wrong, there are still millions devoted to their chosen religion or their chosen iteration (I’m in IT) of a standard religion. They dust off those Sears best, attend church in and fill those pews religiously (pun intended). However, many of us, and I’m one of them, don’t attend church on a fixed schedule, and don’t prescribe to a certain methodology to prove my faith. I don’t judge either. I believe how you benefit society is more telling than how often you show up for church service.
Let us Pray
Religion is stronger than ever.
It just doesn’t wear a collar or carry a Bible anymore.
But it still asks for your time.
Your faith/devotion – (subscribe)
Your sacrifice. – (buy my course)
Your soul. – (like – to appease the algorithm)
Your donations – (Patreon, etc)
And it’s collecting…daily.
OK real Talk
The gap that religion has left is being filled by social media and arguably technology in general (AI). These platforms unlock the same feelings for similar purposes as a traditional religion: which is to influence you. Where it diverges is the intent. Where religions typically encourage kindness and respect for each other (calm down I said typically, not definitely), social media want you to do pretty much anything, and most are geared toward making a profit for someone (typically the influencer and/or the sponsor). I’m not saying social media is inherently evil, but it certainly shouldn’t be trusted at face value. If you’re getting on there to see someone do something stupid, have at it and enjoy. But, if you are using it to make life changing decisions, be smart and for <insert diety here>’s sake, do your own research. The quicker you can get right, the quicker you could be in financial ruin.
