No falsehood is so fatal as that which is made an article of faith.
–Thomas Paine
So, you just want a relationship with God, but there are always these naysayers poking fun at you, your beliefs or your religion. I used to be one of them.
I stopped being a cynical ass many years ago. However, to remain consistent with the tenets of humanitarianism, I will always criticise the sordid aspects of religion (and they are still numerous), which infringe on the well-being of others, and ironically, believers themselves.
You may say that the preceding paragraph is some sort of disclaimer to what is to follow because it is not my intent to ridicule the worshipping habits of believers.
Wanting a relationship with God is all good. Sometimes, however, people choose to have an intermediary when seeking that relationship, and in Christianity, it’s usually a cleric of some sort. However, some of these intermediaries claiming to guide you in sealing that relationship are actually cementing another one: their relationship with their bank managers.
Just do a search on YouTube, and you will be inundated with videos warning about the dangers of following the prosperity gospel. While most of these videos do ridicule the clerics, they also help to expose the more egregious exponents of the deception, like Paula White (who incidentally is President Donald Trump’s spiritual adviser (sigh!), Kenneth Copeland, Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar (it’s in the name FHS) and Benny Hinn.
You will be hard-pressed to find any YouTube videos extolling the virtues of the prosperity gospel. And it’s for good reason: there are none.
The antics of the charismatic preachers pushing the prosperity gospel may well stir your soul and rock your socks. That’s all in the design. Please remember, however, to keep a firm grip on your wallet while you enjoy the dance of deception. The more flamboyant the appeal, the tighter your purse strings need to be secured.
You don’t have to pay for salvation. It’s not a commodity. And far from asking you to have faith, I’m asking you to be more circumspect, or more critical about the choices you make while practising your religion.
In the case of the prosperity gospel, it’s all about the money you’re giving away in return for false promises about dubious rewards.
lenny unencumbered 