Do televangelists give Christianity a bad name?

Question

- by claiming miraculous healing powers that they cannot deliver.
- by false predictions (eg. Iraq war will end in 2006)
- by taking money from their, often, poor followers to live a rich, pompous extravagant lifestyle.

Do you believe in televangelism?

Answer 1

Not all, but many televangelists do give mainstream Christianity a bad name.

Especially those who make claims like the ones you illustrate.

Answer 2

I don't believe in Televangelism in the way it's used in America.

Your three observations are 100% correct.

However, I would like to offer this concept:

Televangelism would be more acceptable if it were a true alternative for invalid people, or folks who can't travel to church, temple or their mosque to participate in services. Share the spiritual word with their brothers and sisters just don't ask for ANY money - THAT would be the honest way to provide televangelism to the believers.

Otherwise, it's a scam; a TV show only, not much different than an Infomercial.

They don't give it a "bad name" but they definitely don't represent it in a good way.

Answer 3

Some may, others may not.

I do not relate to the culture of televangelism. Likewise, I don't really associate this practice with Christianity. Anytime someone claims to represent an ideology yet lives contrary to such an ideology, it does that ideology a disservice. This is no different than our entertainment media which will often put cross necklaces on strippers, criminals, etc.

Many years ago, my (often times incorrect) perception of these people led to me stereotyping them as bad. Many years later, I would say that some televangelists have their place, whereas others are a charlatans.

Answer 4

To your original question, yes, often unfortunately they do.

I believe that Jesus intended the gospel to be spread through sincere face-to-face ministry and local congregations for the most part. There are practical applications for televangelism--remote areas, shut ins, etc. but the temptation for corruption when it becomes a "business" like this is almost always overwhelming.

I would like to believe that at least some of these folks started out with sincere godly intentions and somehow it snowballed later on. But I'm pretty sure some of them were out to make a buck all along. I compare them to the "moneychangers in the temple" that Christ got so mad about.

I believe that a congregation could have a TV ministry as one of its outreach programs, but it should be supported (and controlled) by that local congregation with much prayer and spiritual discernment. The purpose of this TV ministry should primarily be to reach those who would/could not attend the worship services (prison, shut-ins, hospitals, etc.) and NOT to make money. I can also see how a church using this avenue of ministry might be able to have more access to the media (since they are a paying customer) in order to be a positive influence in the community. For instance, a local/regional TV station might interview a television pastor about local issues with religious aspects (abortion, etc.) when doing a story, or the local newspaper might run a column from such a pastor.

Your bullet points are well taken. It is unfortunate that people look to human Christians for their example of what Christianity is rather than keeping the focus on Jesus Christ.
No human is worthy of that position, and all will fail at some point--we have to keep Christ as our focus and example to follow and believe!

Answer 5

I have been a faithful Christian for 20 years, but I have never wanted to watch the electronic church. Why? Because most of them serve their own pockets than the Lord. I know Christian friends who have tithed to receive a prayer and a hankerchief, or to support poverty stricken people abroad. The only one I trust is Billy Grahams Crusade. Money is the root of all evil. Many televangelists have taken the dive such as God Bless her Tammy Faye and her husband, Oral Robert's Son, Swaggert (adultery), and so forth. We, Christians are to forgive them. However, people outside the Christian circle would say, "See, and they're suppose to be Christians." It is a big turn off, and rightly so. As far as healings and predictions the Bible says to test the spirit because many come in sheep's clothing. Predictions can be found in the Book of Revelations.

Answer 6

I completely agree! They are a rip-off! Earlier today, I heard on the news that a Congressman (I forget his name!) is calling for an investigation into how the money is spent by the televangelists. As I'm sure you know, the monies of religious organizations are tax-exempt, and if it is determined by an investigation that these televangelists are using their religious institutions to make profits and live lavish lifestyles, they may very well lose their tax-exempt status.:)

Answer 7

Yes, they are an embarrasment to us. I cringe when I see them. Our church is nothing like that at all. I have to believe that these crazy people on TV are not genuine Christians, because if they were they would not be so greedy, ridiculous, power-hungry, and stupid. There are a few exceptions, such as people who are just televising their own regular services and ask for a small contribution to help cover the cost of broadcasting the service, but most of them are just plain bad.

Answer 8

Let me first say that I'm very proud to be a Christian, and no, I won't take it back.

That being said, riches have a tendency to create corruption. Unfortunately, a lot of televangelists are extraordinarily wealthy. Any minister of the gospel should be familiar about what Jesus said about the wealthy:

"It will be easier to walk a camel through the head of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

In other words, you should be very suspicious of a minister of gospel who is a multi-millionaire.

In sum, the answer to your question is YES. Televangelists often give the rest of us a bad name.

Answer 9

Most of them are. Some of them are ok. John Hagee seems ok to me.

you can tell those crazy televangies by what they say eg. the more money you give the bigger the miricale you will receive.

Answer 10

I am a minister's daughter, and my father has tithed all his life......giving his 10% to the church and much more, even as a minister he always gave to the church........As far as the televangelists go I do think they are all about money....
Send in for this booklet, and well pray for you....This and that..
Never truly thought they were honest, always had my doubt's ..Especially after the Baker's incident


Blessings Lady Morrigan [e-mail]