The second half of The Secrets of Hillsong explores the dark past of Hillsong’s early history and the eventual downfall of the global church. It details Frank Houston’s repeated sexual abuse of children and Brian Houston’s sexual harassment allegations and financial abuses. Mike and Merinda discuss these stories but also what these stories tell us about the structures that make a megachurch like Hillsong possible.
Content warning: this episode includes discussions of child sexual abuse.
Links:
Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel by Kate Bowler
Australian Royal Commission report on child sexual abuse
Compromising Positions: Sex Scandals, Politics, and American Christianity by Leslie Dorrough Smith
Our Cult Favorites:
• Mike: Dead Space (2023)
• Merinda: The Birmingham Bevy
Follow us on Instagram and X at @cultfavoritepod.
Production assistance from the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama.
Theme music produced with Udio.
