Are television evangelists true to their words?

Question

After having realized that the majority of television evangelists are frauds, and individuals involved in illegal high-income crime rings (Pat Robertson of the 700 club has dictator friends and is an active participant in the blood diamond trade in the Congo), are there any tele-evangelists that are actually true to their word? Are these people genuine christians, or are they just atheists posing as Christians? One thing for certain is that they rip a lot of faithful people off, and to me that tells me that they certainly do not believe in their advertised beliefs. The demand for political power among the religious right is also a big issue among these guys - could it be all to establish a tyrannical theocracy where they are in power of everything not out of belief, but out of bigotry and xenophobia? This begs the question, are Fred Phelps and G W Bush, true to their supposed beliefs, or are they just trying to enslave us out of life's gifts through theocracy and oppressive doctrin

Answer 1

There is ONLY One person I would Trust who is on Television and that is the Reverend Billy Graham... I do think many that are out there are lining their pockets. Should you call the Billy Graham Crusade they actually send you Free Books in the mail just for asking....Also the Sumaritians Purse by Franklin Graham is another GOOD and Honest place to give....They are NOT using good people and they are True Godly Christians... Good Question.....

Answer 2

Certainly there are bad evangilists as well as good ones. Sorry to say there are probably more bad ones. However, there are some who I really like. One is Charles Stanley, and Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, John Hagee, Bayless Conley to name a few. I don't take much stock in the 700 club, or others who are constantly begging for money. I look for the truth. The Bible says to test them, and that simply means test them against the Word of God. If they are not preaching the total word of God, then, turn the page! The same goes for a Pastor in a church. There are a lot of "wolves in sheep's clothing" out there. But, then Jesus said there would be. Just "keep watch"

Answer 3

They are the modern day equivalent of "Snake Oil" salesmen who used to wander around selling "cures for everything" to suckers. All they want is the money and they will use any tactic, no matter how shabby, to get it. I am not a Christian - I am agnostic...with my options open. However, I have read the Bible in it's historic content - as well as the Talmud and am trying to make my way through the highlights of the Koran. I believe understanding our fellow inhabitants in this world is important for peace. Anyway, reading the teachings of Jesus, the one thing he stressed over and over was to give what you have to the ones that have not. He encourages Simon Peter to "leave all of his worldy goods behind to become a fisher of men". He had nothing of his own. He owned nothing. He was an earnest man who believed he was doing what his conscious (or his father, if you believe) said to do. He must have had a tremendous and profound effect on the people of his day - because here it is, 2000 years later and his teachings are still profoundly effective upon others. I can't help but think that if he were alive today, doing what he did so well, he would "throw the money lenders out of the temple" once again. I believe he would tell most self-proclaimed Christians to give away what they have and follow him - give what you have to those who have not. I think he would be ashamed of those who have spoken in his name over the centuries...and especially those today who live like kings and steal from those who don't have enough to begin with.

Answer 4

Some are genuine some are not....Ernest Angely is the real deal....don't tell me he isn't....I have done much investigating....This man has been on many 40 day "water only fasts" crying out to God to be able to reach more people...He lives in a very humble setting,not lavishly at all and even hocked his wedding ring in after the death of his wife and gave the money to the church.

EDIT Pollyana mentioned Charles Stanley...who also is genuine...a very Godly man..

I also knew personally a world renown figure,by the name of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand...who authored many books,including that of "Tortured for Christ"....One could not read very far into this book without tears and the understanding that this was indeed a man of God.

Answer 5

In short, everyone who calls themselves Christian are not all truly Christian. Actions speak louder than words. A true Christian walks and operates in love, mercy, and forgiveness. They are stern when they need to be and will defend godly righteousness but not to the point of mass killings through war unless they themselves are being attacked. There's so much more but if you think about what I've just posted and weigh that against the "religious right" who claim to have a godly goal in their agenda's...you get the idea.

Answer 6

No,not most ofthem & I am a christian.
They have found a way to make their own designs on life happen & not God's.They also get very rich from poor stupid ppl who should be reading the bible & not looking to a mere man to save them!
Poor President Bush is doing the best he can & is a good moral man,but not even he can fight the head Goombas in charge when it comes right down to it!
The televangalists are right about one thing,God doesn't want us to be poor & unhappy,but He does expect us to work for a living & be content in the situation we are in,or to the degree He has blessed us.
Everything passes away,even the earth,but God's laws are steadfast.No one has ever found a way that is better at govorning or taking care of it's ppl than God's way
God expected good,moral men to be in charge of the land,but unfortunately,greed,lust & weak wills have broken through.So therefore we are lost already,unless we start doing the right thing & turn back to our true leader!

Answer 7

You are talking about fundamentalist Christians,not Christians of the mainstream or majority type. I don't know whether or not tv evangelists are typical of fundamentalists - I would think not - but I personally (I'm Unitarian) think not much has changes since Sinclair Lewis wrote "Elmer Gantry". Tv evangelism is just a video version of the old revival curcuit,and I think that field was always dominated by charlatons and hypocrites. That has always been it's reputation.

Answer 8

Paul was arrested (in bible) for being a con artist

the Centurion who knabbed him said "aren't you that guy who posed as an Egyptian and led people out into the wilderness to join that cult"? after Paul was found to be performing the very act and rituals for Jews that he advocated that others did not have to do to join his coined religion of Christianity he invented

Answer 9

I think like with anyone power goes to the head. I personally have an issue with most televangelists, I think they are too showy. But I also believe that you can't label them all as frauds. I really don't think any of this is a ploy to enslave us. It's more about money!

Answer 10

I believe Charles Stanley to be a humble man full of God's grace and a wonderful ministry.