As I grew up I became a very good performer when it came to preaching a message, sharing my testimony, or revealing an insight from the “holy spirit.”
Do you want to see just how early indoctrination, training, and exposure to the mannerisms, cultures, and languages of religion starts? Check this out:
Wow, what do you think? Also check out an ABC News piece on the child preacher phenomenon.
Children are amazing imitators–frighteningly so. Notice how culturally-specific these emotional, “spirit-filled” sermons are? It’s a performance. That’s what preaching and prophesying and praying aloud in public are all about. Who could honestly say that while they are in front of a group they didn’t care at all about if the audience liked it or if they did a good job? I tried not to think about those things as a Christian, but I couldn’t help it–especially as a young person who most wants love, attention, and affirmation.
What most recognizable in the videos are the styles of preaching, but what’s even more important is the content of what they say. Do you think children teach Bible lessons that don’t conform to the beliefs of their own church or group? I doubt it. Do you think these kids can understand the serious doctrines and theologies they’re shouting about? I doubt many adults actually understand what they preach, much less a child who hasn’t developed critical thinking nor been educated.
Sigh.
A young woman prays the benediction at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. She subsequently has a breakdown of tears and shaking. She prays for the forgiveness of her own sins plus the sins of her peers who have accepted humanism and worshipped the intellectual mind. She starts to lose it when she begs for mercy and not judgment from her loving god. She begs for the mercy of this god onto the lives of the unsaved in the audience.And then… she gets pulled back from the podium and collapses in tears.
This, readers, is what it’s like for a charismatic Christian to be “overcome by the spirit.” I’ve had moments like that in my past, and I know how it feels.
I’m almost too embarrassed to watch it for a second time. What can I say except:
- This should not be taking place at a public university.
- I can spot a fake a mile away.
- They called for an ambulance at the end, but trust me, she’s fine… just hysterical.
- I feel bad for the students and the event as they were surely overshadowed by the theatrics of this one religious girl who lost it while praying.
What do you think? Vote on prayer at graduation ceremonies in the sidebar —->
Ohhh yes, my heathen horde, I’m serving up another hot plate of my favorite dish and yours: Christian faith healers.
Check out Part 1 this series: Kerney Thomas and his magic handkerchiefs, showcasing a douche of monstrous proportions!
A Holy Cage Match
Now that we’ve warmed up, let me introduce Todd Bentley, a man who likes to beat people up and brag about it. This pierced, tattooed, ex-con/druggie is one of my favorite examples of see-through bullshittery.
I dig the tatts and piercings and the “everyman” appeal of his aesthetic, but I cannot stomach some of the tall tales of his godly beatings for Jesus. This man enjoys violence and places God’s stamp of approval on it:
Bentley: “Why Isn’t the power of God moving?”
God: “It’s because you haven’t kicked that woman in the face!”
Bentley: “… And just as my boot made contact with her nose, she fell under the power of God.”
May I be the first to say… No shit, Sherlock!
One of the worst assaults was on a man with stage 4 colon cancer. Todd kicks this man in the stomach and then brazenly acts like he did the right thing!
Caught in a Lie
As I was gleaning video clips for this blog post, I came across a blatant discrepancy in Bentley’s testimonies. I think it illustrates the importance of reliable evidence and how the personal experience of an individual may not be trustworthy, especially when it’s used to elicit an emotional reaction.
Click here to watch both clips side-by-side. [Edited 01/14/11: Sorry folks! The user who posted these videos is not on youtube anymore. I'm leaving this text on the blog for the record anyway]
In clip 1 Bentley speaks of a woman whose legs get beaten like a baseball bat on the stage. In clip 2 he’s telling the same story (you can hear the similar lead-in about “crippled people” and “not one”) but this time it’s a small boy whose legs God says to beat on the stage. So which is it, a male or female? I believe these tall tales are fabricated for theatrics and to give the audience a sense of awe and to gain trust before they step up to be healed. Hardly a trustworthy man of God!
Bentley glorifies his stories of slapping grandmothers through doors, clotheslining men who need healing, and more. This man’s glorification of senseless violence in the name of God is truly frightening!
On top of his lies, fabrications, and glorification of violence, this man was also involved in an extramarital affair, left his wife, and married the young woman he cheated with. Sure, normal assholes do this of every creed, but when you claim to have a special relationship with the Almighty and converse regularly and intimately with him… you’d think your moral character might look a little bit less like that of a complete troll.
Nightline featured on Todd Bentley in 2008. View part one and part two.
Tell us what you think of Todd Bentley in the comments!
We atheists have heard the common argument that God gives humans their moral code and without God there can be nothing good accomplished in the world. One could also assume that the closer one gets to God and the more of the Holy Spirit one has inside themselves, the less douchey one must become.
Unfortunately this is not the case.
To illustrate what a few “godly” men do in the name of Jesus, I’m going to profile two of my favorite faith healers. Enjoy them or loathe them–just don’t donate money to them!
If You Yell Loud Enough, It’s Not Bullshit
First up, Kerney Thomas, a man who loves Cosby sweaters and thinks “GAAAWWD” wants you to have a miracle over the phone. His late night call-in show is one long infomercial for magical Blood-O-Jesus handkerchiefs and “prayer packages” (which appear to be nothing but donation envelopes and a form letter).
Thomas is a one-trick pony. When not promoting his good luck charms and “pwayer[sic] packages”, he’s taking calls from the poor, sick, and desperate. After chanting the same nonsense syllables as always (“Ee ko bah sha ta la ta boh ko sha”), clenching his face tightly, and screaming “GAAAWWWD!” a few times, he makes up shit claims miracles for his audience. He asks them to confirm they feel better or that they believe a magical deposit will appear soon into their bank accounts.
My favorite clip of Thomas is also the hardest one to watch. A woman feeling terrible pain in her elbows calls in, begging for help and relief. Watch to see what can happen to those who believe in charlatans and dewoosional faith healers:
If that doesn’t leave you angry, sad, and chuckling, I’m not sure what to do with you.Why this man is on the air blows my mind. His cheap tricks clearly play to the uneducated, desperate, and lonely–yet he asks for their money and encourages his watchers rely on “miracles” instead of practical solutions and help. I’m most concerned for the people who can’t afford to get the proper care. If it was available to them, they would probably not be going to this joker for his babbling and handkerchiefs.
Leave your own thoughts about Kerney Thomas in the comments! Coming up next: Part 2: a preacher and his fists of fury!
Atheism Isn’t a Big Deal
It's really not. When I began this blog, I had this sense of being part of a great discovery, a wondrous ... (more...)
Why I’m Childfree
There are many people who believe that being childfree (or better yet, "childless by choice") is a negative trait, especially... (more...)
Confession and Why It Works for Atheists
Confession. Its common definition outside of the law is an admission of sins or unrighteousness--often in order to gain absolution... (more...)
Coming Out Godless: What Was Your First Step?
The delightful and thoughtful @hyumen documented the beginning of a long journey on her blog. Well, I did it. I told... (more...)
Mass Hysteria
It was a Wednesday night and I was on the ground, rolling and gasping for air, laughter coming in wave... (more...)
-
Olin Thang on Atheist Elitism
Watching American Bandstand,then Soul Train on Saturday mornings and dancing like happy epileptics w...Cortez Frisch on Atheist Elitism
Can't hear that song without dancing.Drowning in middle-aged nostalgia here, as Soul Train was an ea...Anna Johnstone on Can You Follow Jesus without Religion?
Correction: "This is me telling you, you are one."
Jim, What you mean is that you don't like that freedom of speech works in both ways. You've re...
Loading ...