richard2

Just wondering, but ... which people? And how do you know that they are faking religious belief?

Rymmie1981

richard2,

Most of the preachers on TBN once had to make the telethon rounds for local markets across the US. One of the largest local markets was TV38 in Chicago. My church was there every year with my pastor preaching and our choir singing. My pastor would act as a kind of MC along with the station owner. At times, I would work the green room where the preachers would wait for their turn in front of the camera.

Most would be talking to each other about how their church was growing. There would be lots of praising and praying. Some, though, would make derogatory comments about the people they were going to preach to in a few moments. Of course, there were usually only two or three preachers at a time in the green room, so we aren't talking about a massive number of people. There are a few who are only in it for the money, not for the Jeebus. It's been a while since I worked in a green room, or even watched TBN, but the worst hypocrites, as far I know, are Mark Chirrona and Creflo Dollar.

Mark Chirrona just thinks that Christianity is beneficial as a support structure for one's psyche. Creflo Dollar is just running a lucrative business with the minimal amount of effort. And EVERYONE is in it for the money.

In short, my estimation of most of TBN, and Paul by extension, is from personal experience. I am truly tempted sometimes to start preaching health and wealth because of how much money there is to be made in it. But, I wouldn't feel right taking an old lady's Social Security check for my own(God's) benefit. But, Jesus, and Paul, would.

richard2

Rymmie,

Thanks.

What I find humorous is how educated men like Dr. Creflo Dollar and others that boast doctorates employ street slang and double-negatives in their sermons to be more appealing. "If you ain't got no peace, you ain't got Jesus."

Rymmie1981

I happened to watch the episode.. I mean..um...message that your Creflo quote comes from. He said something to the effect that if you don't have money, you don't have peace. If you don't peace, you don't have Jesus. You won't get money if you don't give to Creflo Dollor ministries. That was the last time I seriously watched TBN. It was a major part of my deconversion.

Paul would be really proud. He quoted Jesus as saying that it is more blessed to give than to recieve, but Jesus never says that in the entire set of the Gospels.

Doctor X

richard2:

Welcome to the forums . . . two drink minimum.

You may be interested in James Randi's The Faith Healers, available the regular way, or through his web-site--www.randi.org where he will autograph it for you if you ask.

--J.D.

JoyJuice

My all time favorite is Ken Copeland. One episode he was explaining to his listeners how, after the Rapture, they WILL be able to come back to earth and keep all their materialistic possessions.

Still trying to figure out why one would need to claim personal possessions in the Kingdom of God?

Didn't know whether to laugh at him, or cry for the fools who fall for this tripe.

Amaleq13

I can't get enough of the religious channels on my satellite. Not long ago, the knuckleheads on TBN (the show with the gaudy gold furniture and the woman with the various colored wigs) were going on and on about how great heaven would be because the houses were gem-encrusted and the streets were made of gold.

The purity of their idiocy is almost like art.

Postcard73

This thread was split off from a discussion about Paul in BC&H. I think it would be better off in M&PC, so I'm moving it.

Scott (Postcard73)
BC&H Moderator

richard2

Rymmie,

You have to love his logic. But, this is funny. Jesus was a poor carpenter. According to Creflo "Dollar" (coincidence?) then, the Prince of Peace was not all that peaceful. Let us not also forget the many religious who take the vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Ask them if they have peace. The majority of them will answer in the affirmative.

Doctor X,

Thanks. I enjoy your posts.

alkech,

I wonder on what scripture verse Mr. Copeland bases that particular view.

Amaleq13

Gem-encrusted houses in Heaven? I don't recall gem-encrusted houses being mentioned in scripture. What if they arrive in Heaven and discover that the Kingdom of Heaven consists of teepees?

Amaleq13

It was bizarre. They sounded like little children. I kept expecting them to mention a mountain made of ice cream.