"Rogue pastors, fake miracles and murder"

 

That's the title of an eight-minute BBC video report about some extremist "Christian" (?) pastors in parts of Africa, who don't scruple to turn to crime in an attempt to extort ever more money from the misplaced faith of their followers.  It's worth watching, whether you're a believer or not.  If you are, it'll cause you spiritual pain to see how the Christian message is distorted and misused.  If you're not, it'll probably confirm your worst opinions of at least some of those who are.

I'm a believer, of course, and a retired pastor and chaplain.  I've traveled in some of the parts of Africa mentioned in the report, and I've seen the excesses of alleged "pastors" or "preachers" there.  Africa's a very superstitious place, as I've written before - read that earlier report for some graphic examples.  Charlatans have always sought to twist anything and everything to their aid in fleecing the gullible out of their money, and religious faith is no exception.  The United States has seen its fair share of the same thing (remember "Elmer Gantry"? - it was firmly based on fact), and it continues to this day with the antics and blatant money-grubbing behavior of some televangelists and their ilk.  They're no better than fake pastors in Africa.  For that matter, any religious organization that demands you tithe - or more - to them without sharing your giving with anyone else, and even demands to see your tax returns to ensure that you're doing so (like some fundamentalist churches I've encountered), should be classified as suspect.

In my sixty-plus years of existence, I've found only one infallible test for charlatans and rogues:  they always ask you to give them money or support, in one form or another.  The earlier the demand for money comes, and the more strident it is, the more likely it is that they're out to con you.

I'm so convinced of the efficacy of the "money test" that I've chosen to avoid asking for money for myself, despite having been a pastor, and despite some very lean times when I was desperate for any help I could get.  I'd rather do something - anything honest - to earn the money, or sell or give something in return for it (like my books, or the raffles I've held through this blog from time to time), rather than simply beg.  If that was good enough for St. Paul, it's good enough for me!

I recommend the "money test" in all walks of life.  Pastor or politician, salesman or smooth-talker, if they gravitate towards asking you to give them money, warning bells should sound and red lights should start flashing in your mind.  I don't know who first said "It's all about the money" or "Follow the money", but they're pretty useful litmus tests.  The same goes for those who make a show out of giving their money to others, or other causes.  The greater the ostentation, the less genuine they probably are.

Peter