Tent Revivals
The image of the preacher promising salvation while pocketing contributions as depicted in Leap of Faith isn’t far from the truth for Jonas Nightingale’s real life counterparts. But just as many preachers were committed to doing well through the tent revival circuit. One example was The Reverend Billy Graham who was sincere in his religious efforts and used the audience he built through his tent revivals to create a legitimate religious group.
After the 1960s, as society was changing, tent revivals dwindled as the crowds began to subside. While the attendees preferred to attend religious services in air conditioned churches rather than hot, dirty tents, preachers found they were ble to reach even larger audiences through the use of television. While tent revivals still take place today, they are mainly held in the deep south, far smaller in scale and not the spectacle they once were.
The image of the preacher promising salvation while pocketing contributions as depicted in Leap of Faith isn’t far from the truth for Jonas Nightingale’s real life counterparts. But just as many preachers were committed to doing well through the tent revival circuit. One example was The Reverend Billy Graham who was sincere in his religious efforts and used the audience he built through his tent revivals to create a legitimate religious group.
After the 1960s, as society was changing, tent revivals dwindled as the crowds began to subside. While the attendees preferred to attend religious services in air conditioned churches rather than hot, dirty tents, preachers found they were ble to reach even larger audiences through the use of television. While tent revivals still take place today, they are mainly held in the deep south, far smaller in scale and not the spectacle they once were.
