Chapter 3 of my upcoming book, The Divine Commodity, explores the connection between religion and branding. In the chapter I quote Douglas Atkins, author of The Culting of Brands: Turn Your Customers Into True Believers, who says, “Brands are the new religion…They supply our modern metaphysics, imbuing the world with significance…. Brands function as complete meaning systems.”

Now there is more research that shows some brands do in fact have the same impact on the brain as religion. Martin Lindstrom is the author of Buyology. He says:

“Apple is (as we’ve proven using neuroscience)…a religion. Not only that–it is a religion based on its communities. Without its core communities, Apple would die–it is already facing strong pressure as the brand simply is becoming too broad (losing) its magic. What’s holding it…

From ABC News:

Worship has a new look now that the Bible, God and church have become commodities. From the Bible Bar to Holy bottled water, to quench your spiritual hunger and thrust, some marketers are selling religious merchandise in the hopes of spreading their faith.

Religion banks big bucks with consumer items.But this 21st century way of approaching the relationship between God and man is not what some are used to. The thought that consumers can buy a bobblehead Jesus to act as a co-pilot, or attend Florida’s Holy Land theme park when they’re looking to blend faith and vacation, troubles critics.

“Turning everything religious into a little plastic toy can cheapen religion, trivialize it,” said Beliefnet.com editor in chief, Steve Waldman. “The other danger is that people will think…