[Pumpkin]

I have a question that I have been wanting to ask for a long time about something I find deeply disturbing.

On occasion I have tuned into some of the Christian channels on satellite and have been really offended by some of the false teachings I have seen and am wondering about how these channels are generally recieved in America (as that is where these channels are largely based).

Firstly, many of the preachers lack modesty and humility. Secondly, they appear to be making lots of money from doing this (they have to make a living, but anything in excess of actual need seems a bit nasty), thirdly, in particular the prosperity preachers are in direct contravention to the Bible.

How come there isn't some sort of public outrage against this sort of abuse of God? And are these preachers actually of Satan, as we read that they will be wolves in sheeps clothing?

It scares me that there are millions of susceptible and vulnerable people who are going to be taken in by this misrepresentation of God.

What do the ministers here think?

[DrFrank]

There are false teachings presented in many churches as well.Some of the ministers with mass media ministries present teachings that are not given in local churches.In fact I am Exhibit A for that point.I started attending a church as a child but I never became a real Christian until age 23 when I followed Oral Robert's teaching to pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Something really interesting happened to me yesterday.I heard from a Muslim man living in Bangladesh where it is either dangerous or next to impossible to become a Christian depending upon the fanaticism of your relatives.This man wanted help to become a Christian.The Holy Spirit told me to give him a link to Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network's website.That man sure was lucky that God intervened because I personally would never want to hook anyone up with Pat Robertson's extremist political opinions. Obviously God sees the valuable spiritual side of this and other evangelists that many of us do not.With very few exceptions,even with all their human faults,most television ministers create amazing evangelistic victories.

[Pumpkin]

Thanks Dr Frank, for your reply. Yes I agree that many can be drawn to the path by the mass media in a good way. And I am sure many can view stuff which is rubbish and discern for ourselves especially if it clearly contradicts the words we have read, and charlatans exsist in every "profession". I do fear for the vulnerable who seek out God in times of crisis, get asked to pay via Visa or Amex for what should be given freely and basically get sucked down the wrong path.

It strikes me that when Jesus sent out his disciples and told them to take no money, just seek out worthy hosts, he never imagined people would peddle his words for excessive financial reward in the Joyce Myers style.

Do you think it is wrong for people to cash in on faith?

I'm throwing this into the main forum also to see what people feel.

[Amadeus]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin

Do you think it is wrong for people to cash in on faith?

I'm throwing this into the main forum also to see what people feel.

Material possessions or money in themselves are not sin. On the other hand, anything that get between us and God is sin.

Jesus told the young rich man [Matt 19] to sell all that he had and give it to the poor, but it was asking too much.

We should remember the words of Jesus here:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 6:33

Remember that "all these things" includes everything that we need in the eyes of God. This may include sufficient food for our bodies to survive, but the focus per the same verse should be what we are to seek first. This natural life at best will last but a short time [70 years, more or less, for most] so we had better keep our eyes on Him while we can.

If we cannot live without an abundance of world riches or the desire for an abundance of worldly riches, we are already in trouble with God.

[Pumpkin]

Why was Jesus asking too much?

It bothers me greatly that some people spend on a car what could feed a whole village of people for many years.

A simple choice of expenditure could mean the difference of life and death for a great many of Gods children, so personally, I feel that if we love God we would never chose for example to spend a couple of thousand pounds on a status symbol when we could give the gift of life to many of Gods children, particularly as their desperate condition is often a result of corrupt governance (as in Zimbabwe).

If you Google miniature-earth you will see a life changing video, about 3 mins long. Once this has been seen lifes meaning changes forever.

[Amadeus]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin

Why was Jesus asking too much?

It bothers me greatly that some people spend on a car what could feed a whole village of people for many years.

A simple choice of expenditure could mean the difference of life and death for a great many of Gods children, so personally, I feel that if we love God we would never chose for example to spend a couple of thousand pounds on a status symbol when we could give the gift of life to many of Gods children, particularly as their desperate condition is often a result of corrupt governance (as in Zimbabwe).

If you Google miniature-earth you will see a life changing video, about 3 mins long. Once this has been seen lifes meaning changes forever.

Many people have a limit as to how much they are willing to give! It may be the difference in amounts of money, but it is usually also measurable in how much of our heart we are willing to give back to God. He gave all of it to us to use, but our selfishness holds too often back to similarly giving what He freely gave to us to others who also are in need.

"...Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee... Acts 3:6

..........

[serenity]

The only man I have ever listened to from a television standpoint is Billy Graham. He is a wonderful honest speaker. I believe he truly knows what God expects of him.

I watch EWTN



http://www.ewtn.com/

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Originally Posted by CatholicCrusader

I watch EWTN



http://www.ewtn.com/

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Of course you do!

What other station would any Catholic watch?

I watched about 5 seconds of a program there once, saw enough of what I could never possibly agree with and quickly turned it to something I could agree with.