Imagine a charismatic figure, worshiped by millions. From humble beginnings, he gains followers across America, and around the world. Huge crowds flock to see him.
After his death, his cult lives on. Dressed like him and imitating his voice and mannerisms, an entire priesthood grows up, even performing marriages and other sacraments. Despite his reported death, people report seeing him in various locations, and even credit him with miracle cures. His relics are treated as holy objects. (Saints’ fingerbones circulated in medieval Europe. For him it’s toenails and a wart removed by a dermatologist.) The faithful make pilgrimages to his former home, suggestively named Graceland.
Yes, I’m talking about Elvis. The cult of Elvis Presley lives on.
See. People worship him. But is it a religion?
Well, that depends, doesn’t it, on what a religion is.
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