Televangelists, knowingly lying?

Alright, I am creating this thread presupposed on the notion that most (of not all) televangelists are wrong, having said that, I don't think it would help the thread if people came here and attacked the premise as opposed to the actual topic of discussion. So...

Do you think that televangelists believe what they are saying on T.V.? Is the profit-seeking motive inherent in telethons (and the like) mutually exclusive with true spiritual discovery?


Edited for subject clarity.

[edit on 28-5-2005 by CaptainJailew]

i would think that it would have a lot to do with the profit they make. i noticed its really similar to motivational seminars. both come on at 3am (well here at least) both give somewhat common sense tactics on how to live, and both at the end of the program have a number to call to buy "inside information" on how to implement their strategies. In the end they make thier money from it.

I find that the majority of them are in it just for the money. At the same time, there are some of which I feel that may be legit. I'd sure like to have the money these guy fleece from the unsuspecting public all in the name of God. Crime does pay. Non-Profit, taxfree, and rolling in it.

``

'They' might be motivated at the beginning by high minded, spiritual, ideals...
such as being an aid, comfort to the shutins and hospitalized and
those who are homebound.

but, unfortunately, a steady erosion of 'Their' high-mindedness happens.
As rationalizations and mission purpose are swayed by the (eventually)
more important 'bottom line' and a need to amass wealth
(to be able to Spread-the-Word, to all-the-world...rationalization #1A**)
(Sponser-a-child....heart-tug # 2)
(Feed-the-needy...guilt-trip # 3)
( the list goes on, on, on, on, on.......)

The thing is...these organizations are essentially 'self-governing',

until the law is broken.

Originally posted by CaptainJailew
Do you think that televangelists believe what they are saying on T.V.?

That's a loaded question. We have no way of knowing what
percentage are in it for the money (which is VERY good), what
percentage, sincerely and without agenda, believe what they
are saying, and what percentage are brainwashed cultists.

Much of Fundamentalism - be it Christian, Islamic, whatever,
is cultish in behavior and thought process. Many use the
Catholic church much the same as Hitler used the Jews. They
create an irrational pathological anti-Catholic obsession and
create a paranoia around it. This brings the fundies together
to 'fight the good fight' and 'convert' people. They have a
common enemy and thus are united.

So yes, I think that some actually believe they are doing God's
will. They are brainwashed. Others, well .... $$$ and the Bakers
come to mind.

www.globalpolicy.org...
www.bidstrup.com...
www.dimensional.com...
www.newreformation.org...
www.global-vision.org...

I remember back in the 80s when the televangelists were all over, I used to watch them because they actually sounded sincere.

Then I started to notice that from an hour show, they would spend 45 minutes asking for money.

So from preaching to influencing and asking people to send everything they have because the lord would triple the donations was a marked time frame in their faith televised programs.

I have not watch them since then so I don't know how good their influences have gotten.

I have noticed one show lately that stands out from the crowd. The show is called Tomorrow's World. I have been watching it once a week for a couple of months and have really enjoyed it. They never ask for money on the show or the website, and where I am at least it is shown without commercials.

Steve.

The sermon of the televangalists is nothing more then a well scripted sales pitch desguised as a religion. Often they are directed to people who are part of the bible belt and rarely question religion. Similar to how a 5 year old will never question any food with the name Candy, or cookie in it.

Boy, I though more peple would have Junp on this with both feet....

The ones that do there healing thing always and every day just run me crazy.. at this time in history it seans to me that they all Would be at the Hospitals and in the poor nighborhoods and on the Front lines in the war zones....

BUT NO,,,, You have to go to them and them you get rejected because you are not part of the show. Instead of healing people, there is to much action back stage and were you have to sign the papers say if it doesn't work, then you can not come back and sue for your money back, unless they are in a different City some place else and so forth....
These people are living in paradise on earth and they will never will see the gates of heaven..

There are some great teachers on TV and the Radio that are doing a great teching in the name of the lord and there are others that are teaching the word of the devil that looks like the real thing just to decived you and take you hard worked money away for there fortune and there greed...

But that is just the way I see then....

The one that has always amazed me is Peter Popoff. Busted as a fraud , I thought he was long gone from the scene. But lo and behold, he's still on the air and apparently still collecting money.

I think that someone who got up there and spread the Word without soliciting donations or advertising things for sale is more believable than not. Otherwise , I believe the lure of larger congregations and more money becomes the goal, at the expense of the original goal.

I can understand how you feel with all of the media attention they received when these TV evangelists finally did get cuaght cheating or stealing.

But please do not through out the baby with the bath water so to speak.
What I mean by that is just because a few misguided people screwed up does'nt mean that the bible, christianity and God are not true or for real.

God takes care of everything just like he promised ! Everyone will get caught for there wrongs in time, whether you are a christian or not.

Mat 3:12 Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

On the flip side there are plenty of evangelists that are on TV that do a great job spreading the gospel while at the same time giving back to society as in counseling, education, health and developement, runaways, wives of domestic violence, pregnant teens, the homeless, starving and unhealthy diseased families from 3rd world countries etc..............................

You get the point. Don't let the few bad apples spoil the bunch !

One situation that probably only exacerbates the situation of so many "false prophets" out there for the profits (Note the turn of phrase here ). The way I see it, why should anybody donate their money to a religion just so a rich man can get even richer? After all, God has no use for money, does He?

I know how easy it is (at least in the USA) for people to get themselves set up for it: The first step requires only that the "holy man" in question needs to merely visit his (or her) local City Hall & pick up some paperwork...Then fill it out & send it in. Once the government processes the paperwork, that person becomes a legally sanctioned "priest" of whatever religion he wishes to claim. This gives him/her the legal authority to do "priestly" tasks, such as bestow blessings, conduct services, perform weddings & (of course) collect donations.

In the Navy (over a decade ago), I personally knew a person (& I've seen the documentation that proves it) who had become the high priest of "The Church of the Immaculate '57 Chevy". He doesn't actually do anything with his title, he did it merely to settle a bet he made with someone to prove how easy it is.

Considering how popular the "religion" of Jedism has become over the past couple of decades, I've half considered doing something like that myself...Just to be able to prove it to people I've known since I've gotten out of the Service.


[edit on 29-5-2005 by MidnightDStroyer]

I saw Sunday morn a preacher from our area on TV. He, of course, was unbending with the "truth". However, as he spoke of GOD's love not one smile crossed his faith.

I have discovered many of the TV evangelists and many making the noise suffer not only by their "my way or the highway" philosophy, but also suffer from what I call "White man's disease." Unfrotunately, some women are in on the act also.

Your presumption is that televangelists are wrong.
By stating it in such manner, it appears to be a blanket coverage.
This is an error.

There are televangelists that are simply out for a buck, the most notorious of these creatures were Robert Tilton and Jim Baker. There's another guy, I don't remember his name as I can't stomach him long enough to catch it; you might recognize him, the guy who throws the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit like a baseball pitcher - makes a real theatrical act out of it.

There are many that are very good people, there to teach and preach. One that comes to mind is a gentleman named John Cherry, a pastor of a AME Methodist church out of Virginia. Excellent preacher. John Haggee, while I don't agree with everything he says, is a preacher.

Point is, not all are out for the fleecing of God's sheep.

Your presumption is that televangelists are wrong.
By stating it in such manner, it appears to be a blanket coverage.
This is an error.

You are certainly correct Thomas. I have found one that truly teaches God's love, and actually attacks most of the others. I sure wish I knew his name. Sounds kinda country. Slick dark hair. He does teach God's love, and rebels against the teaching of fear.

Originally posted by madmanacrosswater


You are certainly correct Thomas. I have found one that truly teaches God's love, and actually attacks most of the others. I sure wish I knew his name. Sounds kinda country. Slick dark hair. He does teach God's love, and rebels against the teaching of fear.

It sounds like you may be referring to Joel Osteen.


Steve

[edit on 6/5/0505 by sntx]

It sounds like you may be referring to Joel Osteen.

No, that is not the gentleman. I would say he is in his early to mid 50s with glasses. He is not on the Trinity Network but the other one. I really like his teaching for he does GOD's love, and understands that one must start there.

Or are we too concerned about being 'hypnotized' into giving money.

Pray, train, study,
God bless.

Originally posted by CaptainJailew
Do you think that televangelists believe what they are saying on T.V.? Is the profit-seeking motive inherent in telethons (and the like) mutually exclusive with true spiritual discovery?

Only God knows the motive and mind of man. Having said that, I can say this.. as I child, I would see Pat Robertson and his show the 700 Club on. He looked like the biggest fraud I had ever seen. I was a kid, mind you. Now as an adult, I see him in an even worse light. Two words: political whore. I know that's strong, but..

The one (mass media) preacher I admire to nth degree is Charles Swindoll of Insight for Living. He has a dailey radio message that he delivers. Best stuff from the pulpit I've ever heard. I've listened to him for over 20 years now. The coolest thing about him, besides the fact that he teaches history/context before he lays the message on you, is that he was a MARINE before he was preacher.