i haven't read through all of this thread but i feel the need to comment on the negativity that's being directed towards the "cultish" Hillsong.
I'm relatively familiar with Hillsong here in London, my sister went through a pretty dramatic time in her life about 18 months ago and came out of it a reborn Christian with Hillsong as her church of choice.
Despite not being particuarly religious myself i've visited Hillsong on many occasions and think the wrap it's been given in the press and by the comments on here from people who are unfamiliar with it is unfair.
Hillsong are an incredible church INCREDIBLE!
there is not a church in the world today thats been as succesful in bring young people to the word of God as Hillsong has and from a Christian point of view I don't see how that can be a bad thing?
Hillsong do not stand on the street preaching, they do not force religion down the throat of strangers, they do not knock door to door trying to convert people.
their success lies solely in their presentation of Christianity - the first time i went to Hillsong i was dumbstruck, in awe even. it's like going to a concert (albeit one i myself don't seem to know the words to!) - everyone is on their feet signing bouncing clapping, HAVING FUN! the 30 year old pastor came on and gave a sermon which started with a comment on his new shoes - a flashy pair of red Puma's, got everyone laughing and then went into a basic sermon on material objects etc etc.
young people have never had this opportunity in a church before, other churches are boring, dull and repetative in comparision.
compared to every other church i've been to Hillsong is a breath of fresh air - if i didn't have so many personal walls blocking my own path to faith, Hillsong is the church I'd be attending and worshipping at without a doubt!
everyone is friendly, helpful, chatty, concerned for others etc etc. which is probably exactly why it has developed this cultish reputation - think about it, if you're in the street and someone random comes up witha huge smile on their face and starts a conversation with you "hey, how you doing, what's your name?" you're gonna get a little creeped out and run away correct?
well Hillsong is just like that, they're all friendly almost to a fault, they all want to know who you are, what you're doing here, how are you today, is there anything they can help with. I mean one week some guy sent in his prayer where his car had broken completely, he needed it for work but he couldnt afford a new one. next week, the church and its members gave him a car. i kid not.
thats what these people are like, they want to help, they want everyone to feel the joy they feel in Jesus Christ and believe me, these people love Him like i have never seen anywhere!
and yes, from an outsiders point of view its daunting to see all these young people so deeply immersed in their religion, there are no half measures at Hillsong - you cant' attend there regularly if you're half interested in Christ or if you're still deciding, its just too full-on for that.
personally it was difficult initially to try adjust to the changes in my sister when she became deeply religious because like the church she became very full-on initially. it was a very very difficult time, but she's mellowed a bit now
she is however a changed person and for the better by a million times. obviously a lot is to do with her new found faith but i feel none of that would have been achievable without Hillsong, she would never have got to where she is now without the support and stable structure that Hillsong and the members, her friends there offered her. these group meeting you refer to are a support system, filled with people who are friendly and supportive and helpful. its a chance to get to learn the word of God as well as meet new people, make new friends and be in a room where everyone there cares about you and your path with God.
as for the whole "if you dont believe in Jesus and give your life to him you're damned to hell" thing? correct me if i'm wrong but isnt that what all churches teach. i mean from every church i've been to from sunday school up i was taught that if you do not repent your sins and give yourself to God you will go to hell when you die. now i'm not saying a believe it myself but since when is that a new thing and what makes Hillsong bad for saying what every other church has been preaching for so long? is it because they say it with smiles on their face and play some pretty cool music at the same time that makes it cult like? (by the way, the close each sermon with "Beautiful Day")
see thats what bugs me, because a church has found new and enticing ways to attract younger worshippers they're now a cult. thats such bull.
so you're friends had never touched a bible, they went to Hillsong and something there opened they're eyes and now they're religious. I'm sorry, what's wrong with that again?????
and as for the whole converting everyone, i thought that was in the bible too? Isn't that part of your duty as a a Christian, to bring others to the word of God?
the only difference i can see is that i've never seen people so eager to share the love and joy and general happiness they feel and get from Jesus Christ as the members of Hillsong are, so maybe it comes on a bit strong for some people. but as i say, this is a full-on church and while its' not everyone's cup of tea, i dont see anything inherently wrong with that.
well thats my bit anyway
Mind you I havent been there in ages. I hope its still there. 
Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by MLK.
I imagine (and this is not authoritative, or from the Bible) that if God had created Man with the inability to Sin or the inability to choose whether or not to worship him, then that isn't really adoration we're showing at all, we'd just be puppets. If I had to pay Michelle Pfeiffer to love me, it would lack the satisfaction that her free love would provide.
