Christians: What is your reaction to this Prosperity Gospel stuff? Please see enclosed link?

Question

The link below is not spam; it's to an AP story on a US corruption probe into certain Christian ministries. If kind enough to read it; can you understand why atheists and agnostics are so skeptical and often critical of organized religion, and especially Christian religions? (Sorry; you might have to cut and paste this?....)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071227/ap_on_re_us/prosperity_preachers
Also; what are you currently doing within your own practice of religion to combat the abuses detailed in this article? Thank you....

Answer 1

Christianity as any religions have been used to justify many things that are clearly not taught by Jesus, like war, and colonialism, and the death penalty, suicide, child molestation.. So many things antithetical to Jesus' teachings.

Prosperity theology does not conform to Jesus teaching. He said that its easier for a rich man to get in heaven than a camel through the eye of a needle. And not all Christians follow these teachings.

The Word is what we are to follow not man, our true reward is in heaven not earth. These ministries confuse this. Sadly there are so many suffering on earth that they fall for these false doctrines.

Answer 2

The prosperity gospel is leading so many astray. It is a sinful corruption of the true teaching of Christ.
Christ did not have a place to lay his head. The Bible generally says to "take up your cross" and it usually promises hardship rather than material wealth. The prosperity gospel is a result of uneducated charlatains who take the Bible out of context. So, yes, I find it extremely offensive.
Unfortunately, the only "preachers" that most agnostics will ever see are the crazies that are on TV. I can understand why this taints their views of who Christians really are and what they stand for.
What am I personally doing to combat the abuses? I teach exegetics and hermeneutics to young people so that they can see through erroneous interpretations of the scriptures. Too many churches don't teach the kids anything more intelligent than, "God is cool, have some pizza"...is it any wonder that they fall for false doctrines?

Answer 3

I'm Christian and this is totally a bunch of crap. I hate the prosperity gospel. I refuse to go to any Church who preaches the gospel of the bling - Even if they look like they walk the walk. The only person who wins out of this is the preacher. Of course it works for them because they are the one's asking for money. Prosperity gospel is the same as gambling. Yeah these snake oil preachers get everyone to put their hands in their pockets coz they are in 'need' but what happens when the shoe is on the other foot? They are no where to be seen.

If these morons preach something that they can't deliver on then that is FRAUD! If it works in some western country the same principles should work for someone in India or any third world country.

Even Jesus said "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me"

I wouldn't want to be in their shoes anyway no matter how much money they have. God is going to hold these people accountable big time for all the destruction they've caused in the lives of people.

Another valid point to make is that it maybe ok to be rich but its another ball game if you don't know how to deal with money. Thats the problem. If you can't budget and deal with the money you got in your bank account now, you've got no hope in dealing with more.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

for people who enter the dominion of God first there is infinite prosperity and sufficient to take care of us here. As standard in the time of the media prosperity gospel isn't something extra then a robust landing on an enemy plane service. i've got self assurance in conversing the notice in faith; however the doctrines of the prosperity gospel are fantastically plenty demonic; opposite to the notice of God and the plan of salvation. The god of this international rewards his very own for a on an identical time as in his many kingdoms; which includes venues of religion, vogue and entertainment, etc. yet sooner or later and abruptly the accounting comes for all. The angel that takes that degree would not restoration the books for anybody; be they preacher or flesh presser.

Answer 5

You can't just write a check and think that God is instantlly going to pay you back. He is not a banking or loan facility. We give to God, knowing that He will supply our needs and take care of us. I give because I want to help those ministries that help others. I don't expect to be paid back by God, I do it out of love. I know though that He does bless me in all ways. I have been healed, my children love God, I have been able to minister to others through giving, I have a job, I have clothers and a place to live. I don't expect a hugh mansion here (mine is waiting for me in heaven). I don't want a mansion here either, it is way too much work to keep up. I give to God's people because of all the wonderful things that He has done for me. I want to give to TV people because they are also spreading the gospel to others, which I am not called to do. I have my own ministry, right here where I work. I love and pray for my employer and fellow employees. That is my ministry. We need to pray for those under attack, especially if they are preaching the gospel. Ministries need money to travel and be on TV. God can take care of anyone that is cheating. If we give from the heart, that is what God honors no matter what is being done with the money, right or wrong.

Answer 6

Prosperity gospel is not the Gospel that Christians should be preaching. We are told in the Bible to support our local congregations with our tithes and offerings. These ministries on TV for the most part are getting rich off of those folks who think that by sending money to these ministries they will be blessed financially as well. I do not agree with this kind of teaching.

Answer 7

This is an issue that needs to be more in the news to warn the public. Thank you for the link and for posting this question. It's important!

I will say what I have always said, "Don't send your money to TV preachers! And be very wary of any preacher, pastor or church whose main message is money!" I wish people would use more common sense and wisdom...sending your rent money to a total stranger is just foolish.

I'm sorry for the lady in this news story but, at the same time, I'd like to just shake her for being so stupid! God does bless people in a lot of ways, including financially, but not if we give for the express purpose of receiving something in return! That is called greed!

I always tell people to give to the ones who really need it! Like the homeless family that needs a new start, or the young mother struggling to care for her children without any help, or the man in your local church battling cancer and needing help with medical bills and other expenses for his family!

That's real giving because it's from the heart. When a person gives in this way they aren't asking or expecting God to prosper them. And that is when we get blessed....when we give with no selfish motives.

I hope thousands of people see and read this! As for me....I would be happy to see some legislation passed that prohibits TV preachers from soliciting money on their programs. It a scam of the worst kind because they are doing it in God's name. Blessings!

Answer 8

It makes all Christian ministries look like big businesses- it looks really bad. I can see why there is criticism of organized religion. However, I would never send money to a church on TV asking for money. I support my own small and modest church, with real people I can talk to and fellowship with. My pastor does not get a salary, he works full-time.
When man sees his self equal or above the Word of God and uses this for personal gain- well, that's one of the worst things I can think of.

Answer 9

Sorry, not a christian but I have seen firsthand the tragedy that some of these people perpetrate. They tell innocent people, send me money and all will be well. Send me just a little more and I will make all of your troubles go away and taken when that person is broke and or sick it's so sorry you just didn't believe enough. I may be a Pagan, But fu****s like this make me want to go back to the stoning days. They should be put away for life. They are knowingly ruining peoples lives.

Answer 10

We are told to share our material goods in a just and righteous manner, to use our resources wisely to prosper our fellow man and to care for the poor and the indigent. Prosperity as a Gospel is not what Christ preached, but instead 'Sell all you have, give your money to the poor and come and follow me and I will make you Fishers of Men', prospering the soul as in the priesthood. Therefore, our worldly vocation to create a just social order and economy can prosper men under Christ and aid in the development of mankind for His Kingdom. A True Religious vocation has within it a promise or vow of detachment or poverty in it, such as taken by Franciscans, Carmelites, Benedictines, Dominicans and the various religious orders of the Catholic Church. Thus we recommend the sacraments of the Church as the pathway to holiness. So that from this example you can see that there is a religious vocation and a secular vocation in the world, both of which are called to serve the Lord, but in different ways.
The example the Church sets for us is the poor man of Assisi, St. Francis, who chose poverty as the means to gain great virtues which changed the hearts of men to follow Christ, in every walk of life.