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10/6/13

Draft #2

Faith

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10, King James Version)
The Religious Industry - composed of 14 major religion’s - make an estimated 98 billion dollars every year. It is estimated that 71 billion dollars in tax breaks are given to the industry. The religious industry lures its customer’s into church, by the millions, with the use of one name (Jesus), and one symbol (cross) told by a preacher. The religious ads appeal to reason, authority, and emotions to capture audiences all over the nation. The deceptive advertisements use by the religious industry, use a combination of ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade people into buying faith.

All 14 major religions use the cross symbol, and preach the name of “Jesus” to inflict its views onto people. The 3 major religious sub-groups (catholic, mainland protestant, and evangelical protestant) debate the role of Jesus and the cross. They strongly use it in ads because it will bring business into the industry, instead of just a sole company. How humble, right? Whatever a person chooses to believe, he/she has lingering thoughts of ethics, emotions, and is forced to reason with him/herself on sight of an advertisement. Is one hour a week worth eternal damnation? Is god really watching us? Would religion make me a better person? These are question’s a person will ask them self’s, after seeing a religious add. The combination of ethos, pathos, and logos can cause an atheist to re-evaluate his or her beliefs. The constant advertisements used are really effective towards those who are spiritually lost. Those who are lost are easily convinced because they respect those who are preaching, are scared about the possibilities, or find comfort in having faith.

The advertisements themselves are really simple. The ads include a 12 point cross with the option of a crucified man (INRI – often hovering over the head of “Jesus” - is an acronym, translated, means Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. The original Latin phrase is Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum (What does INRI Mean, the Sign on Top of Jesus' Cross."). Other ads like “got Jesus?” ask if the relationship between a person and the religious entity “Jesus” has been established or fulfilled. Often time, people in respected places speak or preach religion.

It’s easy to believe someone who seems honest, honorable, and smart. So it’s even easier to believe them, when they say, “you need to get in touch with god”. From all walks of life, it is easy to find an authority figure that preaches religion. It’s easier to believe them because they are respected. If a once-homeless person was to tell me “don’t do drugs, go to church” I would do my best to do so. I would not trust them with my property; however, I will follow any lifestyle advice they may give because they know first hand, what path to not take. People who preach religion are often viewed as morally strong, loyal, and fulfilled. It’s a very good tactic used by religious organizations to bring people into church. The originations put on the prettiest front.

Fear - amongst other emotions - is used to convince people. The religious groups say “If you don’t believe in god, you will spend an eternity in hell and damnation.” or “ If you don’t believe, god will smitten thou, so let him please have mercy”. The advertisement forces a person to ask he or herself “Are my actions in life worth an eternity of consequences after death?” Religious groups also imbed comfort into their advertisements. Ads like “got Jesus?” imply some sort of