Go to Religion in the Modern World
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- Go to The wealth of some bible thumping loonies
Add Robert Tilton to that list....all you have to do is touch the screen!
I guess these people feel that God blesses souls based on economic wealth, not on the wealth of character and soul.
Either that or they are waiting for the pope to start taking bids on "indulgences". It has happened before.
posted by
David1Spirit
on April 27, 2007 at 9:21 AM
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I also have personal experience
with an evangelist who shall remain nameless. He arrived in a limo. I was told not to speak to him or even look at him. While the camera was off he was a snarling, raging demon. The camera turned on and a beatific smile came upon his face while he told his "congregation" that if they didn't send him their money, his ministry would be shut down and he would no longer be allowed to spread God's word. The camera turned off and the raging demon was right back. It was truly frightening, though educating, to see a glimpse behind the mask. I wished I could have shown his off-camera behavior to all the little old ladies who send him their social security checks each month.
posted by
TVBlogger
on April 26, 2007 at 3:19 PM
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I am personally acquainted, Gome...
With Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. I can tell you from my own experience that Pat is a consummate businessman with virtually no scruples at all. Behind his smile is a hard-hearted, take-no-prisoners character who would as soon take your last dime as eat your lunch.
Jerry Falwell, on the other hand, is the "real thing." He really believes what he preaches. Yes, he is a good businessman, and he knows how to rake the money in, but he really does believe in what he puts out, and his life style is relatively modest, in that his organization pays him a salary (albeit a good one), and nothing more. All the rest of what comes in goes into "the Lord's work." The oversight in Falwell's organization seems pretty good, and the money seems to be spent for what is designated by the Board, and it doesn't go for Jerry. This means that the little old lady who wants to see "God's work" go forward can actually have her donation do what she intended in the Falwell organization; but if she gives it to Robertson, it will almost certainly NOT be used as she wishes.
I am not implying that being sincere justifies being a scoundrel, but only that Pat is one, whereas Jerry is not.
posted by
arGee
on April 26, 2007 at 8:25 AM
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Tonyzonit - some of the web sites are extremely well done and very
sophisticated.
I have to agree that the madness does not present itself front and center through the web sites, instead it comes shining through in the message and the reality how much money these guys make. Tax exempt of course. Jack Van Impe for example, has predicted the tribulation numerous times. Each and every instance coinciding with the release of a new set of tapes, books, literature and other paraphanalia. He made millions leading up to Y2K with a book that God told him to publish 18 months prior and to flog on his television show. His "walking in the path of Jesus" message looses a bit of its credibility when it is considered that Jesus never saw the need for a multi million dollar mansion as a place of residence.
posted by
gomedome
on April 26, 2007 at 7:06 AM
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Xeno-x - most of them are not speaking to me any more but I am sure they
are reading my posts.
This blog continues to hover around the top spot in the Religion and Spirituality category courtesy of 2 distinct groups of people. Regular readers and bible thumpers who wish I would set myself afire. Many of the latter group cannot bring themselves to even admit to others that they are reading my posts, quite often denying it to their religious friends. People are funny.
posted by
gomedome
on April 26, 2007 at 6:56 AM
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Kripayne - I have a bit of sympathy for those who send these guys money
Not so much in the fact that they are taken in the way they are but more in realizing that life must be tough for people that are so gullible.
posted by
gomedome
on April 26, 2007 at 6:48 AM
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Gome - those websites weren't as mad as I was hoping!
Interesting to have a look, though - thanks for the links. Swaggart's was my favourite, the one who talks abbout his personal 'great commission' from God. Come to think of it, Swaggart rhymes with 'braggart' and 'swag' means money. Coincidence, or divine providence?
posted by
Antonionioni
on April 26, 2007 at 6:22 AM
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darn you didn't get the resident Christian loonies hollering at you --
think you've lost your edge?
posted by
Xeno-x
on April 26, 2007 at 5:49 AM
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Health & Wealth Doctrines
do serious damage to the Christian message. You forgot Robert Tilton. In college we used to get real hoots out of watching him speak "in tongues" on television. We even called and let them send us his special "prayer cloth" (about a 2" square piece of cloth) and some "anointing" oil. I'm sure our lives would be so much better now if we had just sent him most of our money. On the other hand, I have a hard time bringing myself to feel sorry for those who do. Goes to show how desperate people can be to believe in something, though.
posted by
Kripayne
on April 25, 2007 at 11:16 PM
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