Right now on the television screen in front of me the Daystar Network is running their “Share- A- Thon”. TCT is another “christian” network and they are running their Praise A Thon as well. Soon TBN, yet another “christian” television network will be running their Praise a Thon too. What is a “Praise/Share A Thon”, you may ask? It is a weeklong religious version of a telethon to raise money to keep what some people think is Christian TV on the air.
What they really are should be called “Fleece-A-Sheep-Athon.”
How do these networks raise to money? They have a special teacher/preacher/evangelist work up with viewer with promises of physical healings, jobs, emotional/spiritual recovery, and the fulfillment of every need you may have, IF you PLANT A SEED OFFERING into said ministries. And of course the Holy Spirit is constantly telling these “anointed” men and women of God some specific amount the viewer should send in to see his/her SEED come to fruition. “Go to the phone!” they urgently appeal, “You need to call NOW and pledge you seed offering.”
And can you guess? Their schtick works! The phones ring off the counter and multitudes of desperate, needy, hurting people pledge money they cannot afford to give hoping and praying that God will give them healing, or financial success. And then they wait. And wait. And wait….
This travesty is NOT Christianity! This is a sham, a money-making racket that preys on the needs and sometimes hopeless situations of those that are watching. It is one of the most appalling things that exist in the American Church today.
It is an abuse of power, making false promises in the name of God in order to line the pockets of these millionaire charlatans. And the beauty of it all is that these “preachers” can blame the fleeced for not having enough faith when their giving doesn’t materialize into reality.
It is time for Christians to stand up and demand an end to this disgusting display of greed in the church. Just so no to “christian” television.
Musings of a "not so good" Christian 
I was one of those who gave in faith. Although I agree with your assessment completely, I also believe that the Lord sees the heart of the giver. There have been times when my prayer was answered and times when it wasn’t. The real issue is who is our Source? These beggers on T.V. are too quick to get the glory for any answered prayer, thus, the giver putting their faith and hope in that ministry instead of their Jesus. It is very sad and shameful. At Christians Tired of Being Misrepresented, we try to show the real Jesus, not the Jesus promoted on television or by Huckabee, Palin or other high profile “so-called” Christians. Love your blog.
“Not so good Christian” is negative. First, how about we drop the Christian and just pick up “saved sinner turned saint” “Jesus lover” unless you understand how God works when you give and receive, when you tithe, when you sow seeds into God’s ministry, you get a harvest, God blesses a cheerful giver, and not always blesses with cash! These people pay ALOT of money to air 24 hours a day 7 days a week, ans the Ministry needs to live don’t they? They are in the business of saving souls. They are not thieves! How,dare you speak evil against Gods ministry because you don’t understand it! How about pray to God for understanding. Pray pray pray for your understanding.
Thank you for your comment, but let me just comment on a few things in your response.
1. God blesses us because of Jesus not because of what we do or tithe.
2. Tithing was never given as a command to the church.
3. The Charlatans on television that claim to preach the Gospel (what they preach is another gospel) line their pockets with the money that many people cannot afford to give. They play on the needs. problems, and struggles of others to get their millions.
4. These same charlatans live in palatial mansions and live the high life of the rich and famous off the backs of mainly poor people.
5. I do understand how these false prophets of prosperity destroy the true message of God’s love for all people through Jesus.
Peace to you.
Mark
You were conned. Period. It had nothing to do with God or your good heart. It had to do with your gullibility and magical thinking.
Wow….this brings back memories of when I was a telephone counsler at TBN in the mid 80’s. I just wanted to help people and they always wanted us to commit to being at the telethons to answer the phones and help rake in the money, but I didn’t want anything to do with that. as a young kid just fresh out of high school and a new Christian I always thought those people where weird with their purple hair and dressed oddly. I got the impression that they where trying to cater to an audience of elderly people of course retired, and totally ignored mainstream Christianity. I guess mainstream Christianity was not the ones giving the most amount of money.
Let’s not stop with Christian t.v., let’s get rid of institutional religion of all kinds
Nice blog. right-on re: Christian TV… shams and scams.
Thanks also for your encouraging comments @Relevant.
Blessings.
Praise the Lord you are right on! Years ago my wife and I volunteered for a “Praise-A-Thon” at our local TCT station in Allendale, Michigan. It appalled us. Your right, they get just the right minister who knows how to rake in the money: i.e. Steve Munsey, James Payne. Bishop Clarence McClendon among others. I remember one of the TCT staff saying that when this one particular huckster was about to appear:: “just watch the phones light up when he comes on!” It is not about faith it is all about the money and the spirit of manipulation. Let’s end Christian TV and dead religion!
I just saw a clip of Pat Robertson at a healing crusade/seminar. He stated Jesus is in this room and he would ask what do you want? So Jesus is this Genie in a bottle offering us three wishes. Or as you stated on TCT and these praise a thons, Jesus is an ancient god who needs us to make sacrifices in order to get a blessing.
It is a sad distortion of Christianity these so called Christian leaders have created for their own profit.
Cheesy gimmicks that are so phoney it is an absolute debacle-it’s all about the networks making money to invest- it is that simple
as an eternal pessimist, I often like to pose as a optimist, so even in this blog, and of all its comments are true- and I 100 percent agree with all of you- I can hear the words of paul as he fights to defend his mission in philippi,
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”
Philippians 1: 15-19
please just remember that it is more important that Christ is preached that the money hungry motives of a few washed up old men, for they will receive their judgement just as we will
You are right, when Christ comes he will sort the tares from the wheat and the tares will be burnt. Matthew 13: 27-30
Yes it is one big guilt trip.
And yes one day they will have to stand before the judgement seat and account for the way they handled their money!!
Have you seen the movie Schindler’s List…where at the end he falls to the ground, crying, looking at his car, saying I could have saved more people if I had sold my car.
I guess it will be like that when we stand before the judgement throne… Those who misappropriate funds for greedy endeavors will fall before Christ and weep for the amount of lives that could have been changed if they had not bought a luxury car.
I’m not saying people don’t deserve to have a nice car or comfortable house, but when is enough, enough. Do you really need to live in a multi-million dollar home? drive the latest luxury car?
Jesus had the clothes on his back, his disciples went out with only what they had on their backs. We are a greedy people. A materialistic society.
Shame on you for staying “end Christian tv” I’m not fooled by your hidden agenda although many will be. Donating to Christian tv is just like tithing. God blesses you back in many ways. You just dont sit back. You get on your knees. One hand out to give, the other to recieve.
I am sorry you feel that way, I have no hidden agenda, I assure you. Christian television has done much to distort the Gospel so I will not back down in what I have said. And just for the record God blesses you/me because of Jesus, not because some TV preacher manipulates money from desperate people.
Came across this blog while doing a search on James Payne (as I’ve just witnessed him on TV as the latest scam artist to be introduced by the scam artist of all scam artists – Benny Hinn) and have to concur with your thoughts of ridding the airwaves of “Christian” TV.
It’s now 4 years down the line from your original post but I’ve been thinking about this for some time and am glad to find out I’m not the only Christian who thinks this way, although I’m half a planet away from you (in NZ).
There is no other ‘industry’ who would legitimately be allowed on TV requesting money on false promises. I really can’t believe what these guys get away with. I intend to mount a campaign via my MP.
God bless you brother.
Thank you so much George. I apologize for my tardiness in response. I also appreciate your words. Sadly not much has changed with “christian” television, and if anything it has gotten worse. I truy wish that they would pull the plug in the distortion of the Gospel. Peace to you.
Mark
I was just channel surfing and I came across Tct tv, “they were asking for $500 seed and $50 a month so God can aid you with your struggles. If you are struggling with your business, looking for a job or struggling with finances, send the money and have faith and watch how your situation will change.”
I am a Christian and believe that God doesn’t ask for financial commitment to give you financial success or healing.
You are to have faith, trust God with all your heart (not a man), follow the 10 commandments and do what you can to help yourself too.
if you look at the life of Jesus, he was the son of a carpenter, he was a leader among all, he spoke of spiritual wealth not financial. Stop listening to all this people promising a world of financial freedom rather than living a spirit filled life, a life to be like Jesus.
God does not demand anything from us to earn God’s blessings and love. You are correct and these men and women who bilk millions out of people are anti-christ.
Amen , JAMES PAYNE ,MIKE MURDOCK ROD PARSLEY ,STEVE MUNSIE ,TOD KUNTZ ,BENNY HINN ,EVEN ORAL ROBERTS ,MANY MORE.LIE IN JESUS NAME AND MUST BE DONE AWAY WITH ( THE WORD NETWORK )
ARE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WEAK MINDED THE HOPEFUL ..”THERE WILL BE MANY WHO COME IN MY NAME” all.lie in GOD’S name. Selling miracles for a SEED GIFT
BOYCOTT THE WORDNETWORK
Justus never said “give me money I will hear you and bless you.” JESUS WAS OUR SACRIFICE. This teaching is the Bible according to Each preacher’s name. It just makes me sick the way they bastardize THE BIBLE..
Their judgement will come one day.