What do football, iPhone and Harry Potter have in common? At first glance, nothing, but if you think about it – each has a colossal army of loyal fans who devote a lot of time to their favorite thing, know everything or almost everything about even the smallest details, and, most importantly, are ready to die on this hill for their beliefs.
In other words, the same characteristics that religion had for the vast majority of mankind just a couple of hundred years ago. Remember the Crusades, religious wars and other “charms” of the Middle Ages? Yes, now religious fanaticism has significantly decreased, but worship of new idols has definitely taken its place.
This was also noticed by the topic starter of one of the threads in the AskReddit community, who just a few days ago asked the question: “What is not a religion, but people treat it with the same attention?” And so, as of today, the thread already has over 34.8K upvotes and around 27.7K different and sometimes extremely pathetic comments.
Bored Panda made a list for you that includes the most interesting and popular elements of the original thread. Sports and brands, music legends and internet traditions – all that make people worship them so devotedly. So feel free to scroll to the very end (literally everything is interesting there!), mark what you definitely agree with and, of course, don’t forget to write your point of view straight in the comments!
More info: Reddit
#1
elon musk. he’s annoying, he’s not saving the world so please shut up about what a selfless person he is. he exploits his workers. stop being annoying fanboys. don’t worship billionaires
Image source: p0rkch0ps, JD Lasica
#2
The way Americans talk about their constitution is very reminiscent of religion.
They worship it, but they haven’t read it in a long time. Maybe never.
They insist that you should respect it, even if you’re not a member of the cult.
They tend to assume that a justification for every opinion they have is in there somewhere.
They treat the men who wrote it as if they’re prophets.
They can become sullen, withdrawn, or even hostile when you say it’s wrong and requires serious alteration.
Image source: Bizarre_Protuberance, fdecomite
#3
“Influencers”
Image source: Electrical_Fruit_851, Jean-Jacques Abalain
#4
Kardashians
Image source: PuppiPappi, Brett Levin
#5
Antivaxism
Image source: Few-Author-4971, Presidencia de la República Mexicana
#6
Apple fandom.
Image source: I_am_Tim_Cook, Kanesue
#7
Mommy groups. Started getting completely out of hand when my kids were teenagers. I’m a crunchy mom, I’m this kind of mom, or that kind of mom. Those people get rabid. How DARE YOU listen to advice given to you from a doctor about your individual child, MY group thinks “THIS”. Heresy! Blasphemy! We will CRUCIFY you!
They used to helpful, now they are f*****g cults.
Image source: SubstantialPressure3, English106
#8
Scientology
Image source: CatJudgement, isghoul
#9
Obsession with a famous person(s).
Image source: AscendedSpirit, hshq
#10
Workaholism / hustle culture.
Image source: trashpanda44224422, Brent Ozar
#11
Some MLM schemes.
Image source: battlelevel, Eduardo Francisco Vazquez Murillo
#12
Certain sports
Image source: worldly_bloke, M I K E M O R R I S
#13
Gender ideology (aka the pseudoscience surrounding transgenderism). I say this as a trans person. If you do not follow a woke belief system to the very letter you are treated like an apostate. The left used to be very areligious but it is all spiritual gender woo woo stuff now.
Image source: Manaxium, Mack Male
#14
Disney. Especially when you go down to Florida.
Image source: Alpha_Solid, Michael Rehfeldt
#15
Brands in general.
People praising Adidas, Apple, Hugo Boss, etc.
Image source: Spaceman_Beard, adifansnet
#16
Politics
#17
Fraternities and Sororities. Down to the recruitment/shunning culture
Image source: abhiwan_kenobi, Mike
#18
Crypto
Image source: avellinoblvd, QuoteInspector.com
#19
astrology zodiac signs
Image source: dohrn1i, morebyless
#20
Money
Image source: xavia83, 401(K) 2012
#21
College football
Image source: ham_wallet998, aaronisnotcool
#22
Homoeopathy
Image source: dangerus_dave, Dr Tricky
#23
Kpop
Image source: MixWeekly2771, twicetagram
#24
For many people, Coffee.
Don’t deny it.
Image source: plucky_dolphin, Camila Tamara Silva Sepúlveda
#25
Football! Biggest sport in the world, stadiums are genuinely awe-inspiring and the atmosphere created during a game is crazy.
(Edit) Okay okay… guys, I do mean FOOTBALL as that’s what the vast majority of the world calls it but to allow other cultures to understand… yes, “soccer” is the biggest sport in the world.
Image source: SurvivingWow, pbkwee
#26
Crossfit
Image source: LettuceGreedy9345, Big Titan
#27
iPhones, Tesla, Marvel
Image source: CleonII, Windell Oskay
#28
The idea of a nation.
Image source: CompetitiveSherbert7, LEGOFIIR
#29
Hot take: owning dogs
EDIT: owning specific breeds of dogs
Image source: baby_yoda_is_thick
#30
Harry Potter
Image source: StirlingBridge1297, Elen Nivrae
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