First things first.
This is a bit convoluted, but I want to give credit where credit is due.
I initially came across this story over at Christian Nightmares, then read about it at Joe.My.God., before finally seeing the actual letter (seen below) at The Smoking Section.
Ok, now that we’ve got the formalities out of the way.
Are you kidding?!
I’ve seem some ridiculous, absurd, and disgusting uses of the so-called prosperity gospel before, but this one ranks up there near the top.
A “pastor” in Houston has sent out a letter begging his congregation for money to fix the church’s helicopter.
Wait, the church has their own helicopter?!
I just….I mean what would you….oh never mind..
In exchange for contributing the required $50,000 for the helicopter repairs, the “pastor” promises his congregation that God will give them, not just any car but “a dream vehicle or luxury automobile.”
Unbelievable.
I think what disgusts me most about frauds like this is that they build their mini-kingdoms largely by exploiting the poor and downtrodden. After all, if the rich wanted a car they would just go out and buy it. It’s a lot easier to pray on the desperate with promises of divinely ordained miracles in exchange for a “small” contribution….which for the people giving it is anything but small.
You don’t get much more un-Christlike than that.
It goes without saying that this guy is a crook and a disgrace.
I just wish he couldn’t hide behind the first amendment because he doesn’t belong behind the pulpit.
He belongs in jail.
Anyway, here’s the letter. Check it out for yourself and do your best not to punch your computer screen out of anger while you do.