I'm not a Christian and have never been a regular church goer. I have watched quite a bit of evangelical tv. I think there are some very genuine evangelists, but I am equally convinced that there are a small percent of preachers who are doing it just for the money and have no real faith of their own. But, does this make a difference to the people that come to their churches?
2007-12-08 00:38:48 · 22 answers · asked by purplepeace59 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ever heard of Buddha?
I think his teachings have helped many people attain a healthy spiritual state. I am not a Buddhist but I cannot think of a bad thing about him.
2007-12-08 00:41:28 · answer #1 · answered by Link strikes back 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
i'm a christian who thinks that a smaller percentage of preachers are genuine and a larger percentage are doing it for the money.
the trouble is many christians follow a person or a leader instead of going to god first and in this way can become seduced by a person. a true christian realises than any power cannot come from a person but comes first from god so they need to be a discerning. many churches or evangelical organisations do not like christians to think for themselves and this is where the problem lies. Also many christians, like anyone else, are very vulnerable partiuclarly if sick or desperate, so people with influence prey on those people. if a persons relationship is based firstly on god, and only secondarily by any other influences such as church, then they are less likely to be 'brainwashed'. if you are doing things based on your relationship with god first you can usually tell very easily if something is wrong.
2007-12-08 00:43:08 · answer #2 · answered by Sarah J 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, why listen to any preacher if you do not believe in the preachings of God?
Spiritualism has to do with the belief that spirits exist. Although God is not a spirit, He is the Father of all humankind and creator of all that exists.
The problem with humans deciding, that their way of thinking about God is the correct way, is that His existence, or the manner in which He exists, is not dependent upon our beliefs.
It is our obligation to find out that He exists, then how He wants us to act in order to become like He is.
This only happens in the same way we acquire other facts: Studying the subject matter and putting it to the test. This would equal reading the scriptures and praying about their truthfulness and abiding by the rules listed in the scriptures to see if they really work.
2007-12-08 00:52:07 · answer #3 · answered by jamazing41 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I honestly and personally believe you don't have to follow a particular religion to be a spiritual person and can lead people towards a religious path. This is how Sikhism came about in that it wasn't intended to be a religion but in time it has transformed into one.
Check out this link for more information:
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aus8.UVNTWTvoT7VgfV.W4ohBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20071129134259AAjRcBZ&show=7#profile-info-0ATLWglBaa
I also believe that you can be anti-religion and still believe in God.
Atheists etc can be very spiritual and good people. I believe that people who don't follow any religion or spiritual path can be just as charitable, selfless, caring, sharing and decent people than those who do follow these paths.
It is about personality and what they believe.
2007-12-08 08:05:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A salesperson and the flock, people have to bite into what that salesperson is selling so the flock has to believe and want what is being sold, now the salesperson has to pretend as he has inside information and has to study and be as educated as the flock or better educated and stick to the product like glue, if you don't weaken you you win. Its obvious the answer is no you do not have to believe in god to lead the flock, because the flock so believes the preacher is wholesome.
2007-12-08 00:50:16 · answer #5 · answered by man of ape 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People follow their own paths, and can see other people following theirs.
If the person appears to be spiritually connected to the world, then one may feel that particular individual may have some sort of clue as to where he is going.
Which is why it's important to follow your own path and not pay attention to how other people follow theirs - because the only person who can truly know which way to go is the person walking that path.
Thank you for your thought-provoking question.
P.S: If i were to be included in your analogy, i would be the guy walking around with his eyes closed.
When it comes to matters of the faith, even the blind man can walk his path.
edit; of course, if a man was blind he wouldn't be able to use the internet unless he had someone to read the words to him.
And no, i'm not blind. :D
2007-12-08 00:44:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian - if you define "Christian" as a lover of God.
I have not watched a lot of evangelical tv over the past few years, but I think I would totally agree with your assessment.
That is the really awesome cool thing about God - he knows who are really his! He knows those whose hearts are really about getting to know him. So ... someone could sit in the pews of those churches and be loving and following God to the best of their ability and God knows!
Christianity is a personal relationship with God - it is definitely affected by our surroundings, the teaching we sit under, etc. but it is about a growing getting-to-know God for myself. It is not about my relationship to the God only through my preacher and what he teaches and how he lives.
About those preachers though - there are men in every field of study with pure hearts, men with corrupt hearts, and men with flawed hearts. Unfortunately just because a man stands behind a pulpit, it does not mean he is free of love of money, or has no problems with lust or whatever. It would be nice if only pure hearted men stood there, but in our society, I imagine it is not as common as we would like to think it is.
So ... to answer your question, yes, it has to effect the people who sit in the pew of those churches. (Your environment always affects you to some measure.) But there can still be people of faith there. There can still be people who are loving God to the best of their ability. And he knows exactly who they are.
2007-12-08 00:56:16 · answer #7 · answered by Dreamin' In Colour 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. I looked in the dictionary and saw that 'religious' is "pious, devout, godly". This implies being religious does not mean you have to believe in God. So anyone doing good spiritually must be admired. (The end justifies the means).
Strangely look up 'religion' and it says people believing in a God.
2007-12-08 08:38:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that if people comes to God via a minister that is not Godly, then they will receive a corrupted message and not fully understand their responsibilities to themselves and to God. But remember that the bible warns of false prophets, so these ministers are nothing new in the world. It is always best to read the bible for yourself, keep your eyes open when choosing a religious leader, and to try to be the best and most Godly person you can be. :)
2007-12-08 00:46:30 · answer #9 · answered by Faith 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
“I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every ( worthless word they speak). 37 For by your words you will be justified and (by your words you will be condemned”) (Matthew 12:36-37).
Luke 18:25
FOR IT IS EASIER FOR A CAMEL TO GO THROUGH A NEEDLE'S EYE, THEN FOR A RICH MAN TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD" ST. LUKE 18:25
Every one will be dealt with for their decisions in life.
Each person is responsible for their actions and no one is held accountable for the sins of others! The money grubbing evangelist.
2007-12-08 00:57:31 · answer #10 · answered by LucySD 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋