Religious People: What do you think of televangelists?

[AmbitV]

Assuming you are a religious person that believes religion should be spread, how do you feel about televangelists?

They make tons of money, yet they are spreading the word of God, in many cases to those who wouldn't go to church otherwise. Is their wealth thus justified by the good deeds they are doing?

Tele-Evangelist Lifestyles

 

[Riprorin]

I spend Sunday mornings at my local church so I don't watch televangelists very often. I have watched Billy Graham a few times though.

I suppose they're like people in any profession. Some are good and some are bad.

 

[rickn]

I'm not religious person, but i've listened to many and I think most are phonies. The only one that is actually insightful and has a deep understanding of spirituality is Dr. Robert Schuller. He's actually worthy of a TV time slot.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I spend Sunday mornings at my local church so I don't watch televangelists very often. I have watched Billy Graham a few times though.

I suppose they're like people in any profession. Some are good and some are bad.

You're wrong. They're all bad.

 

[Riprorin]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I spend Sunday mornings at my local church so I don't watch televangelists very often. I have watched Billy Graham a few times though.

I suppose they're like people in any profession. Some are good and some are bad.

You're wrong. They're all bad.

Okay.

 

[Kadarin]

In my opinion, they are for the most part attention whores on a grand scale. And let's not forget the antics of Jimmy Swaggart or Jim Bakker...

 

[randym431]

Get your religion from the Bible, not a satellite.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: AmbitV
Topic Title: Religious People: What do you think of televangelists?

They are speakers of God's word of course.

 

[Darkhawk28]

Surprisingly enough, Billy Graham is a life-long DEMOCRAT.

 

[nageov3t]

some are good and some are bad.

if they're not using their wealth to help the poor and improvrished, though, that would be pretty immoral / not in keeping with the teachings of Jesus.

 

[judasmachine]

Anyone watch that Jack Van Impe? I watch it for comedy's sake. Hal Lindsey and his sky is falling "news briefs" are hilarious. And Jack's wife looks like a painted corpse.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

scum

 

[Miramonti]

I used to loathe them but hold them in higher regard now than the true christian fakes such as leaders like george bush and other politicians who profess decisions based off of values and guidance from the bible, but are more interested in feeding greed and power for themselves.

Tele-evangelists preach, pray, and receive donations, big deal. Some people really stand by certain evangelists, who is to prove their personal experiences wrong.

On the other hand I find preachers likePat Robertson, his son, and a few others repulsive, who arrogantly and ignorantly involve themselves in political opinions when they should just stfu.

I don't know if Billy Graham is considered a televangelist at this point, but I have a lot of respect for him and the way he keeps his focus on his faith and not all the brainless, heartless and deceptive babble that other fakes exercise towards their listeners.


/EDIT: Joyce Meyers imo is the greediest f'n 'christian' biatch that exists on this planet.

 

[Riprorin]

This is interesting:

Televangelists Get Kudos
Study: TV preachers don't talk about money all that much.
by Rob Moll | posted 02/17/2005 09:00 a.m.

Televangelists devote less time to fundraising than commercial television does airing commercials. That is the latest finding of Stephen Winzenburg, a communications professor at Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa. He just released his eighth independently funded survey of religious programs.

On average, televangelists use 17 percent of their airtime fundraising and promoting their programs, while commercial television devotes 28 percent.

Winzenburg has been studying television ministries for 25 years and takes televangelists to task for some practices (like refusing to reveal financial statements), but his studies have consistently found that fundraising is a different matter. "The criticism so often is that TV preachers spend so much time asking for money," Winzenburg said. "To be honest, they don't."

The programs of Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, and Paul Crouch were among the least focused on financial appeals, spending less than 2 percent of airtime fundraising.

Leaders at Trinity Broadcasting Network, after being scrutinized by national media last year (CT, November 2004, p.19), were pleased with the results. Winzenburg said his study only surveyed Crouch's Praise the Lord, not the network's full lineup. TBN, for example, has two weeklong fundraising telethons per year. The network's total time spent fundraising is between 4 percent and 6 percent of airtime.

Winzenburg also noted that TBN did not provide adequate financial statements when asked, even after the network requested an endorsement from him.

Televangelists Get Kudos - Study: TV preachers don't talk about money all that much

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
This is interesting:

Televangelists Get Kudos
Study: TV preachers don't talk about money all that much.
by Rob Moll | posted 02/17/2005 09:00 a.m.

Televangelists devote less time to fundraising than commercial television does airing commercials. That is the latest finding of Stephen Winzenburg, a communications professor at Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa. He just released his eighth independently funded survey of religious programs.

On average, televangelists use 17 percent of their airtime fundraising and promoting their programs, while commercial television devotes 28 percent.

Winzenburg has been studying television ministries for 25 years and takes televangelists to task for some practices (like refusing to reveal financial statements), but his studies have consistently found that fundraising is a different matter. "The criticism so often is that TV preachers spend so much time asking for money," Winzenburg said. "To be honest, they don't."

The programs of Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, and Paul Crouch were among the least focused on financial appeals, spending less than 2 percent of airtime fundraising.

Leaders at Trinity Broadcasting Network, after being scrutinized by national media last year (CT, November 2004, p.19), were pleased with the results. Winzenburg said his study only surveyed Crouch's Praise the Lord, not the network's full lineup. TBN, for example, has two weeklong fundraising telethons per year. The network's total time spent fundraising is between 4 percent and 6 percent of airtime.

Winzenburg also noted that TBN did not provide adequate financial statements when asked, even after the network requested an endorsement from him.

Televangelists Get Kudos - Study: TV preachers don't talk about money all that much

'Non-for-profit' televangelists can't be compared with 'for-profit' corporate entities, they are apples and oranges at best. With that said, 17% sounds very high considering they are a nonprofit, altho 2% is extremely low, but Graham and Falwell have such a significant donor/revenue base to already draw from.

Even so tho, its the fruits of what they do with the money that count. Does it go to building ministries or to the poor etc. or does it go to planes, automobiles, and huge homes for the preachers and secretaries. Even if they devoted 50% to fundraising, if it went to the poor or the church's/ministries legitimate mission statement, then I wouldn't have a problem with it, but if it went to their own w2's, then it would of course be intolerable.

 

[imported_KirbsAw]

I figure if my career as a rockstar doesn't work out I'll become tv evangelist. You can do anything you want and play "the devil made me do it" card. Not to mention all the chicks on the side and the tons of cash.

 

[glenn beck]

Originally posted by: judasmachine
Anyone watch that Jack Van Impe? I watch it for comedy's sake. Hal Lindsey and his sky is falling "news briefs" are hilarious. And Jack's wife looks like a painted corpse.

Actually I do, and not for comedy's sake.

 

[Kibbo]

Originally posted by: jjsole

'Non-for-profit' televangelists can't be compared with 'for-profit' corporate entities

Umm. . .wouldn't this support Rip's position that "some are good and some are bad?"

*Rip, dude, we may actually be on the same side on this one! I'm stunned!

Apart from that one point, however, I question the validity of your previous post. Comparing commercials to the appeals televangelists make during their regular broadcasts is a false analogy. Private broadcast corporations don't purport to have any purpose other than to make a profit. Televangelists do. It's the hypocracy of the "bad ones" that leads to distaste.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I suppose they're like people in any profession. Some are good and some are bad.

Wow. Not only was that a coherent and logical thought, not only was it his own thought, I actually agree with it.

 

[Zebo]

Is'nt it obvious? They are all hucksters and frauds. What do they do besides take money and buy million dollar gear for themselves? Tax free of course since the "church" owns the assets they control.

Any missons? Food banks? Hospitals? Orphanges? which orgs like the Cathloic Church has thousands thoughout the world while thier preists/sisters live an order of magnitude below the poverty line? I don't think so.

Scum is too good, that's just a common thief, these guys bring theft to a whole new level preying on poor, old, vulnerable to make themselves richer than the best CEOs.

Truly, I say unto you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. -Jesus

yet they are spreading the word of God

They are not spreading the word of god at all. They are spreading get saved quick get rich quick schemes. No different than the no-money down real-estate frauds you see on late night TV.

If anyone actually read the bible Jesus warned us about these guys:

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Matthew 7:15

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."
2 Peter 2:1-3

 

[MidasKnight]

I think full time religious leaders should be unpaid. Voluntary positions. Have the followers maybe provide basic needs from $$ donated to that church. But unless they have another income from non-religious means ( own a bussiness / regular work / etc ... they should not be wealthy from the offerings made to their churches.

 

[Last Rezort]

Con men, put into positions of power by corprate intrests, faith is NOT the main concern. these people are buisness men. Anyone ever hear of these people donating large amounts to charity?

 

[catnap1972]

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I suppose they're like people in any profession. Some are good and some are bad.

Wow. Not only was a coherent and logical thought, not only was it his own thought, I actually agree with it.

It's obvious Rip's account was hijacked...no mention of "teh evel liberuls trying to destroy god by desecrating his disciples (televangelists)"

 

[Riprorin]

Originally posted by: Last Rezort
Con men, put into positions of power by corprate intrests, faith is NOT the main concern. these people are buisness men. Anyone ever hear of these people donating large amounts to charity?

Do you frequently impugn the reputation of others without any facts?

Here's a comment from someone who's largely critical of Billy Graham:

"Yet, I always admired this man. I admired his honesty, his integrity and his sincerity. Scandal never touched his life. He managed the finances of his profession as few itinerant preachers have ever done. The Billy Graham Evangelical Association had a board of directors that oversaw the operations and paid their star evangelist a fixed monthly salary. Their books were regularly audited and were open to public inspection."

Billy Graham: A Man of Integrity for Yesterday's World

Christian's are exhorted by Christ not to be ostentatious in their giving:

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you."

If someone is puffing themselves by publically boasting about their generossity , they are not following the Lord's command.

 

[Darkhawk28]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

Originally posted by: Last Rezort
Con men, put into positions of power by corprate intrests, faith is NOT the main concern. these people are buisness men. Anyone ever hear of these people donating large amounts to charity?

Do you frequently impugn the reputation of others without any facts?

Here's a comment from someone who's largely critical of Billy Graham:

"Yet, I always admired this man. I admired his honesty, his integrity and his sincerity. Scandal never touched his life. He managed the finances of his profession as few itinerant preachers have ever done. The Billy Graham Evangelical Association had a board of directors that oversaw the operations and paid their star evangelist a fixed monthly salary. Their books were regularly audited and were open to public inspection."

Billy Graham: A Man of Integrity for Yesterday's World

Christian's are exhorted by Christ not to be ostentatious in their giving:

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you."

If someone is puffing themselves by publically boasting about their generossity , they are not following the Lord's command.

So you like Billy Graham I take it? You admire his life and his work?