Scott Latta
@scottlatta.bsky.social
Writing from Portland about Christofascism, rivers, etc. My new book, GODS OF THE SMOKE MACHINE, is out now!
“Scott Latta” -The New York Times, 2016
“Scott Latta” -The New York Times, 2016
Pinned
Scott Latta
@scottlatta.bsky.social
· Jul 3
I’ve spent the past 18 months diving into the world of megachurches — meeting those who have been trampled, abused, and left behind. Every story was different, but one dynamic was consistent: power. My book, GODS OF THE SMOKE MACHINE, publishes in October. a.co/d/dqrbS9e
"Girl in Silver Sea," Joaquin Sorolla, 1909
December 23, 2025 at 6:45 PM
"Girl in Silver Sea," Joaquin Sorolla, 1909
"Sioux Seed Player," Oscar Howe, 1974
December 19, 2025 at 5:50 PM
"Sioux Seed Player," Oscar Howe, 1974
Why are megachurches growing? Because sitting in one actually alters your brain.
A thread!
substack.com/home/post/p-...
A thread!
substack.com/home/post/p-...
How a Megachurch Service Alters Your Brain
That guitar solo isn't just shredding your eardrum; it's spiking your oxytocin!
substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Why are megachurches growing? Because sitting in one actually alters your brain.
A thread!
substack.com/home/post/p-...
A thread!
substack.com/home/post/p-...
"Morgenturen" ("The Morning Ride"), Erik Henningsen, 1907
December 17, 2025 at 7:16 PM
"Morgenturen" ("The Morning Ride"), Erik Henningsen, 1907
One of his best
Pasiphaé: Chant de Minos (Les Crétois), 1943–44, published 1944
https://botfrens.com/collections/48/contents/1141618
https://botfrens.com/collections/48/contents/1141618
December 17, 2025 at 1:19 AM
One of his best
Reposted by Scott Latta
Sketchbook - 1889
https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/15711
https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/15711
December 16, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Sketchbook - 1889
https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/15711
https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/15711
So many people told me they were drawn into their megachurch but couldn't quite explain why. Well, researchers figured it out years ago. Megachurch services are orchestrated to produce a chemical spike in your brain that makes you feel loved.
scottlatta.substack.com/p/how-a-mega...
scottlatta.substack.com/p/how-a-mega...
How a Megachurch Service Alters Your Brain
That guitar solo isn't just shredding your eardrum; it's spiking your oxytocin!
scottlatta.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:03 PM
So many people told me they were drawn into their megachurch but couldn't quite explain why. Well, researchers figured it out years ago. Megachurch services are orchestrated to produce a chemical spike in your brain that makes you feel loved.
scottlatta.substack.com/p/how-a-mega...
scottlatta.substack.com/p/how-a-mega...
"Cat," Rinjirō Hasegawa, 1966
December 12, 2025 at 8:43 PM
"Cat," Rinjirō Hasegawa, 1966
Julie and her team have been doing vital reporting on abuse inside churches for years. I'm honored that she's offering the book—it's such an important cause!
'Gods of the Smoke Machine' by journalist @scottlatta.bsky.social exposes the hidden trauma, power abuses, and political influence inside America’s megachurches.
Your support of The Roys Report helps fuel the reporting that informed this book and advances the cause of truth and accountability.
Your support of The Roys Report helps fuel the reporting that informed this book and advances the cause of truth and accountability.
December 11, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Julie and her team have been doing vital reporting on abuse inside churches for years. I'm honored that she's offering the book—it's such an important cause!
"Sea Level," Helen Frankenthaler, 1976
December 11, 2025 at 9:36 PM
"Sea Level," Helen Frankenthaler, 1976
If anyone is willing to go to Prestonwood's Christmas show and throw a bunch of copies of my book on stage, let me know and I will personally send you a box
obsessed with @lonlozzin.bsky.social look behind the scenes at Prestonwood Baptist Church’s annual extravaganza "The Gift of Christmas," featuring three camels, two zebras, 1,200 cast members (including angels and a Santa who fly in on wires), and so much more www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/...
Behind the Scenes at America's Most Extreme Christmas Pageant
Prestonwood Baptist Church’s 'The Gift of Christmas' features pyrotechnics, lasers, elves on trapezes, peacocks, and a flying Santa. Oh, and a nativity.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:18 PM
If anyone is willing to go to Prestonwood's Christmas show and throw a bunch of copies of my book on stage, let me know and I will personally send you a box
"La Serre," Maria Filopoulou, 1996
December 10, 2025 at 6:58 PM
"La Serre," Maria Filopoulou, 1996
"Some media reports have suggested there may be a religious revival taking place among young adults ... But our recent polls show no clear evidence that this kind of nationwide religious resurgence is underway."
Are young adults experiencing a religious revival? Our data says no. 🧵👇
Full analysis here:
Full analysis here:
Religion Holds Steady in America
Analysis of our polls and other data shows no clear evidence of a religious revival among young adults. Read more about religiousness by age and gender.
www.pewresearch.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
"Some media reports have suggested there may be a religious revival taking place among young adults ... But our recent polls show no clear evidence that this kind of nationwide religious resurgence is underway."
My favorite books of the year! scottlatta.substack.com/p/my-favorit...
My Favorite Books of 2025
I’m wrapping up a week in Alabama, putting a bow on this little book project where the whole thing started.
scottlatta.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:05 PM
My favorite books of the year! scottlatta.substack.com/p/my-favorit...
Birmingham you were amazing! Thank you so much to John Archibald and the amazing folks at Burdock Book Collective, but especially everyone who came out!
December 5, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Birmingham you were amazing! Thank you so much to John Archibald and the amazing folks at Burdock Book Collective, but especially everyone who came out!
Reposted by Scott Latta
Fascinating book. Come talk about it.
Hey #Birmingham! Come discuss megachurch abuse with me and @johnarchibald.bsky.social tonight at Burdock Book Collective!!
bhamnow.com/bhamn-event/...
bhamnow.com/bhamn-event/...
December 4, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Fascinating book. Come talk about it.
Hey #Birmingham! Come discuss megachurch abuse with me and @johnarchibald.bsky.social tonight at Burdock Book Collective!!
bhamnow.com/bhamn-event/...
bhamnow.com/bhamn-event/...
December 4, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Hey #Birmingham! Come discuss megachurch abuse with me and @johnarchibald.bsky.social tonight at Burdock Book Collective!!
bhamnow.com/bhamn-event/...
bhamnow.com/bhamn-event/...
Thanks so much to Julie for being such a gracious host and for having me. The book truly couldn’t have been written without the years of dogged reporting she and her team have done on megachurch abuse. I had a great time!
We're LIVE right now with hundreds watching!
Tune in now to hear from Scott Latta, award-winning journalist and author of 'Gods of the Smoke Machine' as we discuss megachurch abuses - and how survivors are uniting for greater truth and transparency
www.youtube.com/watch?v=leWH...
Tune in now to hear from Scott Latta, award-winning journalist and author of 'Gods of the Smoke Machine' as we discuss megachurch abuses - and how survivors are uniting for greater truth and transparency
www.youtube.com/watch?v=leWH...
The Roys Report Livestream 7pm CST
YouTube video by Julie Roys
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Thanks so much to Julie for being such a gracious host and for having me. The book truly couldn’t have been written without the years of dogged reporting she and her team have done on megachurch abuse. I had a great time!
I'm so excited to go live with Julie! Come join us.
Megachurches promise inspiration and community — but often leave people powerless and wounded.
In a LIVE podcast tonight, journalist and author Scott Latta joins me to unpack the hidden costs behind this movement. Tune in at 7 PM Central (link below)
julieroys.com/podcast/gods...
In a LIVE podcast tonight, journalist and author Scott Latta joins me to unpack the hidden costs behind this movement. Tune in at 7 PM Central (link below)
julieroys.com/podcast/gods...
LIVE with Author of 'Gods of the Smoke Machine'
The author of ‘Gods of the Smoke Machine,’ exposing hidden megachurch abuses, speaks live with Julie Roys in a revealing conversation.
julieroys.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:41 AM
I'm so excited to go live with Julie! Come join us.
Hey #Tuscaloosa! Come join us tonight at
@enhbooks.bsky.social at 5:30 to talk about megachurch trauma! Everyone is allowed one shaker. ernestandhadleybooks.com/event/2025-1...
@enhbooks.bsky.social at 5:30 to talk about megachurch trauma! Everyone is allowed one shaker. ernestandhadleybooks.com/event/2025-1...
December 2, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Hey #Tuscaloosa! Come join us tonight at
@enhbooks.bsky.social at 5:30 to talk about megachurch trauma! Everyone is allowed one shaker. ernestandhadleybooks.com/event/2025-1...
@enhbooks.bsky.social at 5:30 to talk about megachurch trauma! Everyone is allowed one shaker. ernestandhadleybooks.com/event/2025-1...
"Scenes of July 1830," Léon Cogniet, 1830
November 26, 2025 at 6:38 PM
"Scenes of July 1830," Léon Cogniet, 1830
"Thelonious Monk," Boris Chaliapin, 1964
November 25, 2025 at 9:56 PM
"Thelonious Monk," Boris Chaliapin, 1964
Hey #Tuscaloosa and #Birmingham! I'm coming next week for events at @enhbooks.bsky.social and Burdock Book Collective. Come talk megachurch trauma with us!! scottlatta.com/events/
Events
If you are a bookstore, church, community center, or just interested in discussing the book, I’d love to come! You can reach out to me anytime here. Upcoming Events 10/17 — Corvallis Mus…
scottlatta.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Hey #Tuscaloosa and #Birmingham! I'm coming next week for events at @enhbooks.bsky.social and Burdock Book Collective. Come talk megachurch trauma with us!! scottlatta.com/events/
"The Song of the Lark," Jules Breton, 1884
November 22, 2025 at 10:15 PM
"The Song of the Lark," Jules Breton, 1884
"In Lieu of Keen Virtue," Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, 2017
November 21, 2025 at 5:27 PM
"In Lieu of Keen Virtue," Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, 2017