If the link doesn't work for you, try to search "derren brown miracle for sale" on youtube.
Now if you ever meet someone who expresses being a possible future victim for these crooks, please show this person the video. If it does not help, I can't see what could.
I hope it can stay on CH and not move to PWEC too fast so please try to not discuss faith itself, focus on faith healers.
Of course, I'm 100% sure other religions have their own frauds, and atheists are also targets (for atheists search james randi on YT), but I didn't see any debunking vid yet (if you have one about islam or judaism please share).
So many people seek direction and purpose and meaning or help, and so many others seek to take advantage of those who need all of those things the most.
What kind of car is that? What does it matter? When I drive it, I'm Steve McQueen
The video is blocked in Canada. I am a Christian and not the "Sunday only" kind I have no idea what the content is, but I do agree that most TV style "faith healers" are nothing more than charlatans. I also believe in the positive and healing power of prayer.
The video is blocked in Canada. I am a Christian and not the "Sunday only" kind I have no idea what the content is, but I do agree that most TV style "faith healers" are nothing more than charlatans. I also believe in the positive and healing power of prayer.
Amen.
I believe in faiths' power to heal. But I also believe that most "faith healers" are frauds.
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
I see the commercials for "miracle waters" on TV and shake my head ,,Why do people believe that stuff..I pray twice a day in the morning and at night and these fools don't impress me my covenant is between me and the Father
Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 24,712Dart
Measured in Llamathrusts
Dart
Measured in Llamathrusts
Lifer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 24,712
Alabaster, AL USA
Old hat.
Our personal favorite was Ernest Angley, who had a regular Sunday show and was such a huckster that it was pure entertainment.
"Place your hand on the TV screen and be healed," was a laugh riot, and the same with the selective speaking of tongues.
When I say "our," I mean pretty much the entire community, which was about as church going Baptist-but-unaffiliated group of people could be. Think a visible minority of girls not wearing pants of any kind because that would be dressing as a man kind of community in a county where alcohol sales are illegal every day of the week.
Denigrating people who use faith for money with outrageous claims was grist for the mill in the circles of the faithful, and it was not for nothing that Elmer Gantry was required reading in High School. One might think a book showing a man using faith as a tool for wealth and duping good people with sermons that quoted atheists would be considered an "attack on religion," but it was taken the opposite way; it was a warning that there are no tricks in walking The Path, and those that truly serve God don't ask for cash up front.
Indeed, the sorts of people who fall for hucksters are usually not well versed in the faith, and find their need of spirituality later in life...and lack the knowledge to know when someone is far, far outside of the actual tenets of the religion.
The opinions of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
My brother in law tipped me off to this guy. There is a documentary on Netflix. Derren Brown Miracle Faith or Fiction. It really didn't convince me either way, is there a God, is there not ?
I've never believed in miracle healers, they are a mockery to Christianity IMO. I do however believe in God. I also believe God is far beyond our comprehension.
Faith healers are no different then the sexual predators that are part of the Christian clergy of the church and those that protect They both exploit those that are venerable.
- I know those voices in my head are not real, but man they have some good ideas.
- I never killed anyone, but I have read a large number of obituaries with great satisfaction.
- If I cannot make it to your funeral, I will certainly send a message indicating my approval.
I've never heard of this guy but thank you for your desire to warn and for giving us a heads up. Who is Derren Brown? I'll check his video out and see what he's got to say and who he's exposing.
Jesus warned us ahead of time of people like this. We need His Spirit and Word for discernment. Jesus Himself kindly warned the current and coming generations to "Let no man deceive you". I've seen people who appear to be nothing more than con men. I've watched some street videos of supposed Christian ministries engaging in behaviors that are not Scriptural but actually "New Age"(old age) occultic practices. Some of these groups in particular who are in error are likely self-deceived.(under the influence of seducing spirits) I believe there are the straight up cons who deceive and manipulate in the natural but that there are also those who are equally fraudulent but who are steeped in and open to supernatural darkness. Its interesting stuff and as Christians we need to be watchful and to also watch out for one another. Jesus has a harsh warning for those who would lead astray, present themselves as a stumbling block to those who believe in Him. These charlatans including many of the "prosperity gospel" types are in dangerous territory.
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Mathew 10:16 We also forget so often to encourage one another with what Jesus told us many times and usually immediately proceeding or in the context of serious and heavy subject matters. "Do not be afraid".
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,390PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,390
Miami, FL USA
It’s not just faith healers who are frauds but I would also throw in the majority of “mega church” pastors.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
It's all about relationship. If you have a very close relationship with a friend, when a Third Party comes along and tells you stuff that you know is not true or in character with your friend, then it is not hard to spot the false statements.
Best Example ever is the Treasury or FBI: They take their new employees, and give them real money. They make them handle, study, and learn everything about the real money. After they are well versed in how it looks and feels, then they let them see the fake money. You don't waste time learning the fakes, you learn the Real, and that makes you an expert. And when the Fake comes along, you can spot it easily.
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,390PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,390
Miami, FL USA
Great post Bill!
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
It's all about relationship. If you have a very close relationship with a friend, when a Third Party comes along and tells you stuff that you know is not true or in character with your friend, then it is not hard to spot the false statements.
Best Example ever is the Treasury or FBI: They take their new employees, and give them real money. They make them handle, study, and learn everything about the real money. After they are well versed in how it looks and feels, then they let them see the fake money. You don't waste time learning the fakes, you learn the Real, and that makes you an expert. And when the Fake comes along, you can spot it easily.
+1
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
I can recommend looking up James Randi on youtube, he exposed Uri Geller among others.
"When I saw The Matrix at a local theatre in Slovenia, I had the unique opportunity of sitting close to the ideal spectator of the film - namely, to an idiot." - Slavoj Zizek
Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 24,712Dart
Measured in Llamathrusts
Dart
Measured in Llamathrusts
Lifer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 24,712
Alabaster, AL USA
I do find it interesting how a few hucksters here and there warrant a "To all Christians" topic header - and yet we are told to discount illegal and often violent actions of a few in a different religion as being something other than representative.
The opinions of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events.
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,390PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,390
Miami, FL USA
Well said Dart and that is a very valid point. There's no doubt about a double-standard existing for Christianity.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”