Scandals in the Televangelism Industry
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In the late 1980's, several scandals emerged within the televangelism industry. Jim Bakker confessed that he had once had an affair with a church secretary named Jessica Hahn. Soon after, it was discovered that Bakker had built a personal empire of wealth by defrauding his followers. As a result of his actions, Bakker was sentenced to 45 years in prison (Anderson, 1991, p. 59). Another televangelist, Jimmy Swaggart, was labeled a "public disgrace" after it was learned that he had consorted with prostitutes (Ostling, 1990, p. 62). This revelation was ironic, because Swaggart had spent a lot of time and energy in denouncing other televangelists for their sinful acts. In the late 1980's, critics also began condemning televangelists for the use of questionable tactics in fundraising appeals. As a result of these problems, many people have come to regard all televangelists as "corrupt and hypocritical" (Hughey, 1990, p. 31). In truth, not all televangelists are "hypocrites and con artists" (p. 31). Unfortunately, however, a certain percentage of televangelists have succumbed to the temptations that arise with the mixing of business and religion. This paper will examine some of the problems that occur when the opportunities of televised religion are abused. The practice of televangelism has a long and interesting history. Even before there was evangelism on television, there was evangelism on the radio. With the rise in popularity of television in the early 1950's, some
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ording to this concept, a follower providing a donation to God (through the television ministry) was supposedly building "seed money" for future prosperity. Thus, it was claimed that the donation would "in effect plant a financial seed for which God will reward you with a subsequent harvest of increased financial return" (Horsfield, 1984, pp. 33-34). Of all the fund-raising techniques used by televangelists, the "prosperity gospel" has perhaps received the most heated criticism. For example, Time magazine once described the tactic as "a get-rich-quick brand of Christianity that holds that God is bound to give believers whatever they 'claim' through faith" (Ostling, 1990, p. 62). Robert Tilton, a televangelist from Texas, has built his career around the use of this tactic. In his televised sermons, Tilton openly claims that donations to God through his ministry will help the viewer to receive more money, a new car, a new house, a new job, and other material benefits, in addition to "salvation" (p. 62). Many people have criticized the "prosperity gospel" as being a deceitful practice which misleads followers. It is claimed that the tactic is misleading because it encourages followers to believe that they can purchase miracles ra
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Approximate Word count = 2943
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)
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