I don't mean to bash religion at all here. But I do mean to even the playing level a little in a topic that can be quite sensitive. I regard this as an example of how religion, which can be the vehicle to much compassion and extraordinary feats of humanitarianism, can also be the unsuspecting vehicle to a corruption, be it of will, spirit or Satan's doing.
This example is particularly significant because it lies at the center of the single largest and most active Christian network in Australia. But when you think about it, it's not really that much different from, say, spamming to get extra AP.
not surprising.. stuff like this is easy to see why it happens.. people are always looking for a miracle, and everyone knows that so they prey on them.. he should be ashamed..
I hate seeing T.V. evangelist pray on elderly shutins, always asking them for money. It's a horrible thing to do and if the evangelists were anything close to being real "men of god" they would enver do such things.
An Evangelical preacher being full of it isn't that surprising. What is surprising to me is that Evangelicalism is that prominent in Australia! Who knew?
I would, however, like to point out that traditional Evangelicalism, while a relatively early development on the Christian timeline, has had little to do with conning people out of their money until the past few decades. When this movement first started during the Second Great Awakening in the U.S. it was about an emotional attachment to god and becoming overwhelmed by the holy spirit. People would actually go to these "campouts" for a week or so and just be with god or whatever. These actions are not a reflection on religion per se, but perhaps those who comprise certain aspects of religion. Or, maybe this is a great case for people waking up a realizing that this is all there is and rather than throw money away on an imaginary friend, they should put it to a more tangible use.
Listman, Thats a great way to put it! Because thats what I basically do but I didn't ever describe it one specific way. Ya, organizations are hard for me to believe in because they are capable of being extremely corrupt.
My mum is very religious and attends the Greek church in Bayswater at least once a week. The couple of times ive been there were alrtie but its just not for me. The priests only seem to be welcoming when you give £ to the church. For a religion that is entirely spiritual regular donations seem a little wrong to me.
I also saw a film called Jesus Camp( i think that was the name). It was about kids attending church schools in the summer in America. The teacher/priests there told the kids so many horribly ignorant and prejudiced things like all gays, blacks and jews were evil and that sex before marriage meant you would go to hell and things like that. Because of the documentary the police investigated the people working there and they were all convicted of offenses which acoording to them would mean they went to hell. For example the no sex before marriage thing, one of the priests regualarly used prostitutes and sometimes abused the children. I think these organised religious groups demand such blind obedience from their followers that the people in charge seem to think they can demand anything. Having said that i am not against organised religion in all its forms as one of my best frineds works as a priest in Knightsbridge, but Evangelicalism especially seems to have many flaws.
I've always said the church and organized religion is corrupt. This is why I don't attend church. No, not every church is corrupt. Yes, there are those that are really just in place for people who want to worship.
I can't believe that you'd make such a blatant stereotype about churches. At least you admitted "there are those that are really just in place for people who want to worship". However, Christians are WAY less likely to be corrupt than Athiests. Anyway, sorry, but I really don't like when people generalize.
@Shark - the church is a corrupt organization. It has been since the middle ages. Originally, the Protestant churches were created to break away from this corruption in the Catholic church, but in this day some of them are just as bad.
I will not worship mammon. I worship Christ. I don't need to pay money to do that (considering I have none what with college, this is a good thing).
I can't believe that you'd make such a blatant stereotype about churches. At least you admitted "there are those that are really just in place for people who want to worship". However, Christians are WAY less likely to be corrupt than Athiests. Anyway, sorry, but I really don't like when people generalize.
