So, What‘s Jesus Christ’s Facebook Following Like These Days?
- Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:33pm by
Billy Hallowell
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In a media landscape that is dominated by Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and other celebrity personalities, the notion that Jesus Christ could have a Facebook following that is more engaged than any other is an intriguing one.
But much to the dismay of new media consultants who push fervently to spawn interaction for their clients, this is exactly what’s happening.
Jesus Daily, a “church/religious organization” Facebook page with more than 8.4 million “likes,” is run by a diet doctor who lives in North Carolina. Dr. Aaron Tabor launched the page back in 2009 after he turned to the social media platform to help promote a diet book he had written.
Tabor, whose father was a preacher, has been posting Biblical principles four or five times each day. The result? A dedicated fan base that the world’s top brands, sports teams and celebrity personalities would salivate over.
While 8.4 million is hardly the largest fan base in terms of hard numbers, Jesus Daily has the most interactive group around. The Times has more on the intrigue surrounding this intriguing find:
What is new is that millions of people are also turning to Facebook pages, like the Jesus Daily, created by people unaffiliated with a religious leader or a specific house of worship. With 8.2 million fans, the Jesus Daily counted 3.4 million interactions last week, compared with about 630,000 interactions among Justin Bieber’s 35 million fans, the AllFacebook.com analysis shows. The Bible Facebook page, run by the United Bible Societies in Reading, England, has eight million fans and also beat Mr. Bieber with about a million interactions.
Dr. Aaron Tabor
Considering the mass magnitude of the celebrity power of Beiber, Gaga and others like them, it’s intriguing that Jesus Christ has a following that is so bustling with commentary, discussion and “likes.”
For many churches and houses of worship, the power of the social media complex is just being discovered. Perhaps Tabor can be an inspiration to the people and institutions who have yet to harness this power.
Recently, Pope Benedict addressed the power and caution the religious should heed when using Facebook:
Although Pope Benedict acknowledged in a recent statement that social networks offered “a great opportunity,” he warned Roman Catholics that “virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives.”
In the end, this is certainly an anomaly, although it does showcase the idea that people respond most actively in the online space to the emotions, ideals and life tenets that they personally relate to.
(h/t CNN)
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Comments (87)
independentvoteril
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:35pmIf I remember the bible JESUS said to go WHERE the sinners are.. would that NOT be the FACEBOOK PAGE?? To get to the word to the people you MUST go where the people are.. which is why many parishes have preachers who can play basketball.. musical instruments etc.. so WHY is it so far fetched to think that they can reach people by having a FACEBOOK page..Only problem here I see are those that will set up a page to push propaganda or fraud..
Report Post »webpreacher
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:12pmDear INDEPENDENTVOTERIL, You are wrong in your theology on so many levels. First of all, would you go into a Porn Shop or movie, there are sinners there, how about a bar-room, or a strip club would you enter in there. A place of gambling, or how about a Rock Concert, there are sinners there. How about a orgy party would you enter in there, and how would you do if you go into any of these lustful sinful places where in there is the presents of Satan’s demons? Jesus preached in the streets, in the synagogues, in homes. The Bible (God’s Word) teaches us that sinners came to Jesus, where He was preaching, teaching, and healing. While it is true, as is recorded in Luke 16:15, that “FOLLOWERS” of Christ are to go INTO THE WORLD, and preach to all Nation, the gospel of Jesus, unto the saving of the Lost Soul. It is clearly seen also we are to separate ourselves from the things of this World, the ways of this world, to keep ourselves from Satan’s snares, to the devices of this present evil World, We have Churches, where in the Word of God is preached, we have the ministry of visitation, house to house, door knocking. FACEBOOK is devilish, there is much immorality, it is a place of gossip, wickedness, it is of the World, and not of God. I do not have a FACEBOOK account, nor do I desire one. While it is with good intention the account exist, and no doubt even some might be saved, I would that Men of God preach the Word in the street, in the Church, in the home, as it is in Script
Report Post »holy ghostbuster
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:30pmI wonder how the doc’s diet book is selling? The funny thing is that there are probably some Christians out there who think Jesus is really behind the page, because they will believe anything. Does Moses have a FB page?
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:49pmhow so?
Report Post »chigger
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:32pm@Ghostbuster: What an idiot you are. How bout interacting face to face with some Christians and find out what we really are about? You might be surprised how many in your world believe in Christ.
Report Post »chigger
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:39pmJB: he wont answer you. he’s one of those people who like to get on the Blaze “Faith” section and call Christians names. Its makes him feel better to call others names.
Report Post »dortalina
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:32amHolyghostbuster: You said Christians will believe anything. I am a Christian and I don’t even believe you!
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on September 7, 2011 at 1:36pm“Some Christians will believe Jesus is actually behind the facebook page?”
Who would those be? Your friends from the “short bus” you rode in grade school? Your roommates in your group home?
Report Post »ducker44
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 4:23amI am sure Jesus is behind the Facebook page. Who do you think is behind the Dr. Tabor making the page? It could also be the Jesus helped Mark Zuckerburg create Facebook to share the news about Christianity. Not many people know that Harvard was built by the church as a Christian College.
Report Post »Banned on the Blaze
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 7:29pmHey dumbassessssssss, Jesus would not use twitbook or flitter! Jesus would not pimp himself to such a level. The account your seeing is a Mexican named Jesus (hey-zuse) trying to get your SS number.
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:07pmUntil Jesus Christ comes back and asks for a Facebook page in his name there should not be one period. No one should be allowed to set up a page using my name without my consent nor should they without his. He already has a forum, it’s called church, and several pages called the Holy Bible. If he had needed Facebook he would have created it and used it.
Report Post »dortalina
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:35amBANNED ON THE BLAZE. You should be banned. Your post is ridiculous beyond the pale.
Report Post »Worldsapart
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:47amBanned,
Report Post »Jesus wouldn’t pimp Himself to such a level? Oh yeah, I forgot about all those miracles He did to prove that He was God.
SovereignSoul
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 6:45pmWould Jesus call people dumbassessssssss?
Report Post »StandOnYourTwoFeet
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 7:06pmMankind cannot become healthy unless there is the realization that we’re ill and, as a species, we are very, very sick…having spread the cancers of fear and anger what we carry within our collective conscious, manifesting these diseases in our outer world for all to see. Our outer world is but a mirror of our inner world. And, we are a world of pretenders, a great majority ignoring the pain brought about by unjustness in the world in which we live. Most often, we deal with what we see and hear through apathy and anesthetizing ourselves with our addictions! It is through awareness and understanding that humanity can purify the individual and collective hearts and minds, necessary components to bring about peace on this planet. The great purification spoken about in Native American prophecy can be as kind and gentle as humanity wishes it to be. We can either wake up and do the internal work on ourselves, manifesting peace…or continue harboring the fear and anger, manifesting war. It’s as simple as that…and it’s our choice! It is our actions (or lack of them) that are determining this very minute the type of world in which we CHOOSE to live. If humanity removes the “sheeple” robe it has so comfortably worn and becomes part of “we the people” instead of “we the sheeple”, we can manifest peace instead of war. It is OUR CHOICE and this IS OUR COUNTRY…ISN’T IT?…ALL OF US!!!! Stand Together or Fall Divided!!
Report Post »webpreacher
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 4:36pmHello, STANDONYOURTWOFEET, Well, that certainly sounds good, and while most will agree with what sounds good, and it is I suppose with good intentions, there is a problem ! There has not been peace with mankind, nor rest of his labors, since Genesis 3, and there never will be while Satan reigns, and rules this present EVIL world. The only rest or peace to come into any one’s life, is when they willingly choose to surrender their life to Christ Jesus. He alone is the only peach one can find, and in Him alone is there rest, apart from this, there is no peace, no rest, no joy (real joy), no comfort, and NO HOPE. There will be NO peace for this World until Jesus comes and reigns on David’s Throne in Jerusalem, and Satan is cast,bound and chained into the bottomless pit. Jesus is coming, first to take up out of this present EVIL world His Faithful FOLLOWERS, “The Born Again”, regenerated Saints, for a Season. Then after the Tribulation period, a season of 7 years, King Jesus Returns a second time, to conquer the antichrist, and all his followers, where in He will reign one thousand years over all the earth. What you are putting forth here, is humanism, man’s way , God tells us in His Holy Word, it is the ways of destruction. Man can never bring about peace, he does not really want peace, he has been at war, in turmoil, at each others throat since the fall in Genesis 3.Its the sin nature of man, the hardness of his heart, Only Jesus can change a man’s way, for the right way
Report Post »conservativewoman
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 6:59pmA facebook site discussing Jesus is bad, but it is okay to get on the Blaze and condemn other Christian groups not your own. Really?
Report Post »webpreacher
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 12:43pmWhere is the condemnation ? Who is condemning who..you might want to re-consider before pointing your finger ! Face-book is so vastly different, first of all, is purely a “Social Network”, a place of connection only with others, for Social reasons. The Blaze is a News Media / informational Site, You don’t have to reply and or respond but there are News Stories you can read, and its not a Radical LEFT media source ! Face-book is a radical LEFTIST web site, Mark Zuckerberg is a stout Liberal Leftist, Obamanite to the core, I would have nothing to do with his “Face-book” rhetoric, nor is Pro gay marriage agenda / Socialistic ways !
Report Post »Your Can not compare Face-book with the Blaze, to do so, is to expose your own ignorance. and you’ve got yourself to blame,for that !!!! PERIOD.
stockpicker
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 6:51pm1 John 4:1
Report Post »Taxpayer550
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 5:32pmJohn 15:13
Report Post »“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
Beowulf_Agate
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 5:14pmI saw the image they are using
Report Post »That’s not the messiah….that Cesare Borgia pretending to be Christ
Johnny916
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 5:36pmWhat do you mean? I’m not a Christian so, I do not understand.
Report Post »chigger
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:38pm@Johnny — Borgia was a French nobleman. he’s just saying he looks like a portrait of Borgia. No one knows what Jesus looked like.
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:48pmWe don‘t have Polaroids of Jesus’s face, so for now we use what we have. Until we view him, face to face in all of his glory, we will have no idea what he looks like. But we do know what he taught, and who he died for. He is risen.
Report Post »Bernard
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:48pmOutside of the obvious need for spiritual sustenance during such hard times, there maybe an element among these fans in that they are awakening to a burgeoning sectarian war between Islam and Christianity.
Report Post »chigger
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:49pm@Bernard — maybe they just like sharing with like minded people? Maybe its a comfort and a blessing to those who read it and those who share their faith with each other. No need to make it into something outrageous.
Report Post »EcceCrucemDomini
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:47pmAdepto Er Perfectus!
Report Post »Country
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:45pmMatthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Jesus don’t need a facebook page. He give us the Word and if we love Him, we would the Word and not follow some man of facebook who is using His name.
Report Post »Country
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:47pmIf we love Him, we would learn the Word.
Report Post »ghost-of-elvis
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:51pmagreed
Report Post »Blazin Glory
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 6:54pmWell, your first mistake would be thinking that the page actually belongs to the real Jesus.
Report Post »Your second mistake is thinking that this person is trying to make you believe he is the real Jesus.
What have you personally done to get 8 million people to notice Jesus ??? HMMMM ?
Thats what I thought.
Beats bribing kids with candy and games, like most church’s do.
Country
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 10:24am@Blazin Glory I won’t argue with you about churches giving candy, but does this “facebook Jesus” really teach the Word or give an inspirational speech like most so-called preachers? I’m not going to click on the site, but I doubt if any meat is being taught. What good is another inspiration speech when “Christians” are not ready for the end days as Christ teaches?
Report Post »Josie
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:19pmBecause of the publicity I suppose, now the site Photo section is being filled with pornography. Heads up if you check it out.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:28pmI for one, would have nothing to do with this. the thought of it makes me cringe.
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” – King James Version (KJV)
People should be very careful in what they do. I do not want Jesus on my facebook, on my T-shirt, on my bumper sticker. He is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. His name is not some play thing to throw around nilly willy like.
If true christians want to display Jesus, they will do it by the example they set, not by gimics and such. their actions, speech (fruit) will display Jesus, and christianity.
Report Post »DeeInHouston
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 6:15pmJosie, why post the blatant lie? I just visited the page, and it contains Bible verses, encouraging words, and beautiful pictures of Christ from around the world. It’s social media. You can be scared of it, or you can get with the 21st century. There’s nothing wrong with spreading a Christian message through a FB page. Who cares how people hear the message as long as they hear it??
Report Post »freedomofspeech
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:19pmthose that are for God can not be against him. You go Jesus, prince of peace:)
Report Post »chigger
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:44pmWay to go Freedom!
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:55pmOK , Facebook does have it’s place, the Pope is correct as well.
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:59pmExcuse: … its …..
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:03pmPretty pictures by the way. I drew a representation once. I don’t think any picture though, can compare to His Mercies.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:15pmTrying to market God…ummm…if you want to know Jesus, read his word, not someone else’s interpretation of it, especially facebook. I think the good doctor means well.
Report Post »wordweaver
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:50pmOf course, folks, you are free to open your Bible any time and read it, meditate on it, and draw strength for everyday living from it. It’s that thick book up there on the bookshelf, maybe gathering dust. You don’t really need Facebook or an App for that. But if this Facebook page helps you meet the Lord every day, then I guess it’s OK.
Report Post »ALibertarianCitizen
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:01pmI actually follow many Christian pages on facebook to give me random and meaningful scriptures. I don’t know exactly how many, but it absolutely helps bring God into my daily routine and is a right there in your face reminder. As well as with the scriptures there are a few religious leaders who post videos and will talk with you. It’s like church and fellowship except without the faces and actually in person help. I’ve learned many new entities in the word, and have had interesting discussions. It’s not bad at all, and much more helpful for reaching the “social media” generation that I am a part of.
Report Post »M100Spiral
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:41pmI am impressed! I visited the site and will probably frequent it often. I sincerely like it!!!
Report Post »I am a Christian who believes in the “Power of Prayer and Fasting.” During this Great Recession, I became underemployed and lost 1/3 of my income. I still have not overcome the psychological and emotional trauma of becoming underemployed, despite the fact, the Lord helped me pay off a school loan and a car loan during the last two years with far less income. Nowadays, I have many moments of gratitude and appreciation, for example, I am glad to be working (with the same company for close to seven years), I am glad to have a home, I am glad all my bills are paid, I am glad to have food to eat, etc, etc.
I still pray and fast often, but I have some issues with the Lord. I unfortunately still want my income to be restored, as does everyone else who has become underemployed. The site has the potential to help me heal from this recession.
Dr. Tabor might have been trying to sell a diet book, but I have a feeling this website is far more fulfilling for him than selling that book!!!
mikenleeds
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:25pmi love the page and i think it s a good tool for out reach in such a sin filled world
Report Post »HawkEyeTx
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:05pmI too am “In Like Flint”.
Report Post »SovereignSoul
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 6:52pmIn like Flint
Used by morons who are either too stupid, young, or lazy to make themselves aware of the original meaning of the phrase “In like FLYNN.” Originated from the actor ERROL FLYNN, who was an early twentieth century actor well known for being a ladies man.
Next time you hear someone say ‘in like flint’ slap them unless they’re talking about the 1967 movie by the same title.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=In%20like%20flint
Report Post »rocky creek
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:02pmPraying that people come back to God. We need Him to direct our paths. We have made horrible mistakes trying to do it on our own.
Report Post »Arcangel Michael
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:00pmJesus, I trust in You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eym833fy8Uc
http://thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/chaplethistory.php
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:02pmI would have nothing to do with this. the thought of it makes me cringe.
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” – King James Version (KJV)
People should be very careful in what they do. I do not want Jesus on my facebook, on my T-shirt, on my bumper sticker. He is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. His name is not some play thing to throw around nilly willy like.
bioengineer
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:07pm@rangerp, ditto, very well said.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:54pmHad to look at the site…….was not familiar with it. I can fully understand why they have 8.2M fans–just hope they don’t have 8.2M people with unrealistic expectations! Saw lots and lots and lots of things there about what Jesus does………did NOT see anything about how we are to walk and live to receive those blessings. Obedience to how we are told to live brings God/Jesus’ blessings. Can’t live like the devil and expect them.
Report Post »jarheadone
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:58pmLets double the amount following Jesus. American values are based on our belief in Jesus, in God we Trust isn’t on our currency because we lack faith. We need more faith in these trying days.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:55pmAnd people think that Jesus is irrelevant….. Ha!! He is the holy of holies and the Great I Am.
Report Post »The truth will always prevail.
shakenblake5432
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:51pmVery interesting. I am a Christian and I actually do follow this page on facebook, although I had no idea how many fans the page has and the level of discussion going on here. I do agree with the Pope about not allowing ourselves to become too absorbed in the social networking area that we gradually lose our ability and desire to communicate with people in person. That is honestly a struggle I have had and thankfully, I’m growing more and realizing how dangerous this can be. We have to be able to communicate with people around us, not just on a computer screen. While facebook and twitter do help us unite, it is how we act in person that really shapes us.
Report Post »db321
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:59pmI did not know that Jesus had a Facebook page – I sure hope the server does not go down – I need my savor’s protection 24/7.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:00pm“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” – King James Version (KJV)
People should be very careful in what they do. I do not want Jesus on my facebook, on my T-shirt, on my bumper sticker. He is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. His name is not some play thing to throw around nilly willy like.
poverty.sucks
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:01pmThe Pope fears social media because you may find the words of the Gospel contradicting Roman Catholic teachings.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:11pmPriesthood can be obtained in a Roman Catholic church without ever studying a single chapter in the Holy Bible.
Report Post »DeeInHouston
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 6:03pmYou can quit copying and pasting, RangerP. We got your opinion the first time. Geez.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:16pm@DeeInHouston
There are a few things worth saying more than once.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:49pmWords of Christ and of our father God is consistant over anything else. The Truth speaks volumes. For example, in the Book of Mormons, no person, place or event has been historically or archeologically verfied.
Report Post »ghost-of-elvis
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:57pmprobably because it was written by a false prophet, and a liar as well. the book of mormon, of course
Report Post »squeaker
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 7:58pm@ghost-of-elvis – I agree about the book of mormon – written by a false prophet…
Report Post »lonewolf57
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:48pmGreat story/post,Blaze. What a contrast to the hate filled Jimmy Hoffa Jr.types of the World.
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