Wednesday, October 18, 2006

televangelists

OK folks, I LOVE good preaching.  I really do.  I've been know to record sermons from Trinity Broadcasting, even though I don't care for the couple that run the station.  I enjoy positive-thinking preachers.

You want to know what turns me off, as far as religion goes?

Preachers asking for money.

I was willing to give Jim Bakker another chance, after reading his book, "I Was Wrong".

Until, on my recent visit to Branson, I caught him on TV selling pieces of rock from the actual place where Jesus' cross was placed.

Spare me.  Geesh.  Do you think I was born yesterday?

I have read the Bible through many times, but I've never seen, anywhere, that Jesus or His apostles begged for money in any way, shape, or form.  Nor did they try to sell pieces of the Holy Land.

OK, so Paul said to set aside an offering on the First Day of the Week.  But He wasn't selling rocks in a fancy box. 

God forgive me if I'm wrong. 

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree about the money part. That is one thing I like about Cowboy Fellowship there is a large milk can by the door but nothing is mentioned about money. As for the preachers I really like Joel Osteen but was disappointed in his book "Your Best Life Now" as it seems to me he repeats himself too much. I got it for Christmas and have only read about a forth of it. Paula

Anonymous said...

Well if you are wrong....so are a lot of folks...including me...sell the Lord and his Word....fine with me...but not the other stuff...Idon't need it....thanks for sharing this with all of us...you are not alone for sure....Hugs from KY...Ora

Anonymous said...

I agree with you.  Thanks for sharing this.
Pam

Anonymous said...

The disicples didnt ask for money because people fed them and let freely stay in their homes..they didnt have buidlings that needed electricity or rent..so they lived as nomads which is different than today because people want the comfort of warm buildings and not a tent without electricity...but the bible DOES talk about tithing...so the church building was in some ways prophetic

I too agree that I do get a bit turned off with the money thing being thrown out there all the time....I know they need money to pay for the buidlings but let me share one story with you...I remember one time learning about a church I had went too years ago...I was surprised with its 3,000 members that tithing was very little...someone I knew who worked there had mentioned it to me...by the time you pay for salaries since the staff needs to be available for an 8 hour shift and also have families to feed, and then pay for the building, water for toilets, and etc....I stopped judging...cause I just dont know all the facts for each church or situation..

but I will agree with you that its a turn off to hear the dollar figure all the time....its something I try to keep in perspective even when it bothers me...now the story of selling stones where Jesus was buried?.....I dont agree...-Raven

Anonymous said...

You are NOT wrong.

Thanks for that.

Anonymous said...

The sad part of all that is that there are folks buying those rocks.  'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

I love good positive preaching too. That lady that run's trinity reminds me of tammy faye baker with the make up and eye lashes things going on.


I don't think your wrong.

take care  :-)




Anonymous said...

I think you are EXACTLY right!

and that is exactly what turns a lot of people off (including me <g>) of organized religion. And especially those with huge ornate churches. If I remember right doesn't it say somewhere in your bible about "Wherever two or more gather in my name...." Doesn't sound to me like you need a building at all, let alone a big fancy one! Just my 2 cents....
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind
http://adventuresofaneclecticmind.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Begging is a turn-off and what does that say about God's provision?  There are some preachers that ask for help to stay on the air and do it in a dignified way and there are some that just plain beg and trick and sell.  

Anonymous said...

I so agree with you!

Anonymous said...

I just want to add my two cents:  In 1 Cor. 16: 1-4, Paul talks about the collection for God's people, about setting aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that wehn Paul came no collelctions would have to be made.  Paul would give letters of introduction to the men the Corinthians approved of and send them to Jerusalem with their gifts.
 In other parts of the scripture, Malachi, for instance, God said to bring the tithes into the storehouse.
 Giving is mentioned in several places in scripture.  God loves cheerful givers.  I agree with you Mo about Jim Bakker selling rocks from where Jesus' cross stood.  I read a tract one time about "The Selling of Jesus" by Michael Green, but don't know where it is now.  If every Christian would give one tenth of their gross income, none of the true men of God would have to ask, much less beg, for one dime.  The church would have all it needs.
 Since we're limited 2000 characters, I may have gone over, but have more to say on the subject

Anonymous said...

St. John 19:24......stes that the soldiers that crucified our Lord, sold his clothes off his body.....Sort of sounds like what Jim Baker is doing.
So sad...
love ya,
carlene

Anonymous said...

someone has to pay for the lights and electrcity. Connie from Long Island

Anonymous said...

Hello~
Couldn't agree with you more about good preaching. And the asking for money thing? Wrong, just wrong. To me a good preacher who receives support doesn't ever have to "ask", it's just given.

Gayla

Anonymous said...

The North American Securities Administrators Association says:

Between 1984 and 1989, about $450 million was stolen in religion-related scams.  In its latest count - from 1998 to 2001 - the toll had risen to $2 billion. Rip-offs have only become more common since.

Jim Baker must be working on a second term in prison. It seems he didn't learn enough on his first.