The unpleasant result of prioritizing truth over popularity is that I am frequently forced to defend people with whom I disagree. Case in point, Ellen DeGeneres. I’d love to grab a bucket of popcorn and watch her empire burn to ashes. But what I want to do and what I should do are rarely synchronized. It requires super-human willpower to resist the instinct to celebrate Ellen’s getting her comeuppance. Which means I’m getting super-human assistance in writing this loathsome article.

I am fully aware that it will make me unpopular to suggest that Ellen DeGeneres is a victim of abusive religion. I’ll be told she is a hypocrite. She built her career by falsely portraying herself as a “kind person.” That makes her a perpetrator, not a victim. I’ll be told that Ellen lied to her fans. She is not the person she pretends to be in front of the cameras. That is absolutely true – and totally irrelevant.

The disillusionment crashing down on Ellen is not her fault. It’s yours. If you are shocked to learn Ellen is a different person than she portrays to the public, then sit down because I’m going to whack you in the head with the reality stick. Almost everything you see on television is fake.

The people on television are “acting.” They are pretending to be someone (or something) they are not. The character “Ellen DeGeneres” (played by Ellen DeGeneres) does not exist. She is a work of fiction. Also, “Thor” (played by Chris Hemsworth) does not exist. So prepare to be disappointed when you find out that Chris Hemsworth can’t lift cars or fly through the air by whirling a hammer like a propeller.

Expecting Ellen DeGeneres to be like “Ellen DeGeneres” is like expecting Chris Hemsworth to be like “Thor.” Ellen portrayed the “Goddess of Kindness” on television. Her powers of compassion eclipsed those of mere mortals. Legions of social justice warriors could not equal the caring strength in one of Ellen’s little fingers. It’s fun to watch the show but it’s important to remember – it’s just a show.

Ellen’s downfall is not unique. It happens all the time. I’ve lost count of the super-hero pastors whose “ministries” collapsed when their hypocrisy was discovered. The collapse was a good thing! When false religion is removed, it leaves a space where the truth can be planted.

The same is true for Ellen. Her hypocrisy is revealed. Her “ministry” is in tatters. The “woke church” that made her a god is no longer willing to worship at her alter. The false religion is removed. There is a space in Ellen’s life where the truth can be planted.

I believe Ellen deserves to hear the truth. And I’m not going to wait around and see if somebody else speaks up.

“I believe in God. I think that God is everywhere. Every morning I look outside, and I say, “Hi, God.” Because I think that the trees are God. I think that our whole experience is God.”

– Ellen DeGeneres (who plays “Ellen DeGeneres” on the talk show, “Ellen.”)

Dear Ellen,

I don’t know you personally and I have no desire to appear on your show. Couple that with the fact that my obscurity almost guarantees you’ll never even know I exist and I must acknowledge that this letter costs me nothing. I’m not risking anything in writing to you. I have nothing to lose. Which means this letter is not “brave” or “heroic.” I know you’ve created an environment where the people near you could suffer dire consequences for speaking the truth. I am not one of those people.

Your religion is toxic. It’s a poisonous mixture of pride and ignorance. Your concept of “God” is an ancient falsehood called, “Pantheism.” You believe creation is the Creator. It is a preposterous concept. No creature can create itself. Every tree that you call “God” came from another tree that lived before it. But where did the “first tree” come from? The true God is the source of all the trees outside your window.

Embedded in your religion is the notion that you are “god.” You said so when you claimed, “Our whole experience is god.” Your show is a church that worships your “kindness.” But you are not worthy of worship. You didn’t create yourself. You didn’t give rise to “your whole experience.” You didn’t even create the “kindness” you claim to possess in abundance.

Every good and perfect gift comes from the real God. He does not share His glory with mankind. Why should He? Every breath you take was given to you by God. Every heartbeat comes from God. The kindness that you radiate is borrowed from the kindness God demonstrated when He woke you up this morning.

I’m hopeful that your spectacular disaster will drive you to seek God. It is the most important thing you will ever do. For what it’s worth, I’ve been a fan for many years. You’re funny. (That’s another gift from God, by the way.) It makes me sad to see you suffer. There is healing and life in Jesus Christ. I hope you ditch your bad religion and find the good one.