... I couldn't help myself. I've been so saddened by the number of hopeful people that have flocked to "have an encounter with God" under this guy's leadership. Now that it's been discovered that he's had more than one "inappropriate relationships", he's stepped down from his 'ministry'. There is a previous post about his revival and my issues with it a few posts back.
Although I'm sad that it had to come to this kind of incident to expose him, I'm glad that he's been exposed.
Here's just one out of hundreds of articles about this latest news here.
By the way, I'm still resting and healing, but I couldn't help but respond to this news considering the strong stand I took regarding this in an earlier post.
16 comments:
Well, where to begin?
I suppose I could make statements like:
"WHAT!!?? A man of the cloth caught with his pants down!!?? Can't Be!! Who ever heard of such a thing???" [since last friday]
Or I could say:
"Gosh, does this mean he really WASN'T chosen by Jesus to heal people??"
Of course I suppose some of your more fundy bretheren will retain their faith in his miraculous healing power, and just chalk up this little exposure of his phonyness to , oh...I don't know...could it be SATAN!!!??? {for best effect, say that last line like the Church Lady on the old Saturday Night Live Show).
But, never mind...I won't throw this in the face of every credulous mind sheep who ever thought for a second this buffoon and fraud was anything but a fake and a confidence man... as they all are.
Nah, I won't do that. Lets just leave it at this:
"Nyah, Nyah...Told ya so!!"
;)
Why do I like you?
Heheheh.
I think it has to do with my endearing hump, and propensity to spit :)
Joyce,
Why be sad when a fraud is exposed?
You even yourself had doubts about this clown in an earlier blog. Would you be happy if Todd Bently continued on with his lies and fraud, sucking in more people who truly need real help and care instead giving them placebos and false beliefs until their money runs out?
I guess I’m a soft heart in that I actually care that fools and their money are soon parted by wolves in sheep clothing (because at one time or another, we have all been fools).
-Fastthumbs
I never had doubts about Todd Bentley. I met with a couple of friends who had headed down there and tried to show them his history and share my thoughts.
It was them, and the thousands of others, that I am sad for. I know that it's a blow to a lot of hopeful people. And it's even sadder to me that many people will overlook this and continue to flock and hope.
It's a no-win. And that makes me sad.
I always wondered..still do... what seperates those theists who believe in this nonsense, and put their trust in what is so obviously a fraud, from those believers who can see right through it?
Why does reasoning click in for some theists, and with others it never gels, even though you share the same basic belief system?
Isn't it obvious that if the old "laying o of hands" routine were real that it would be repeatable and observable in scientific controlled conditions?
Any finally, even in the face of his downfall his exposure as a fake and creep (like so many others like him over decades) why do some people STILL believe in their supernatural powers?
It's a marvel to me. It's beyond sad...its a mental infirmity. I'd say the religious meme in those people has gone nuclear.
I don't know, Drom. I know of far too many Christians who will run to anything that someone claims is done in the name of God. These are also the folks who take the word of what they are taught as gospel (forgive the pun) without ever researching to see if there is any truth to it at all.
I do believe that God has given us everything we need to treat disease and feed the hungry. There shouldn't ever be any catches to that (like having to listen to a Bible study before you get to eat. That's not loviing your neighbor in my opinion.)
Common sense is rare in many otherwise brilliant people. I can't figure it out either. I wish I could.
"Common sense is rare in many otherwise brilliant people. I can't figure it out either. I wish I could."
As far as I understand, individuals can be quite rational and smart, but groups of people sometimes will act insane and stupid (and larger the group, the more insane and stupid). A riot or tent rival or TV/Talk radio audience tends towards the latter… It’s all part of what makes us social creatures, the instinct to follow the flock. The ability to self-critically think to overcome herd mentality is not something that a person is born with, but must be learned.
- Fastthumbs
Fast,
That's really an excellent point. I remember years ago when I first learned about mob mentality and how otherwise "normal" citizens would get caught up with what was going on in their immediate surroundings. City riots, destructive citywide game winning "celebrations" that lead to cars being overturned and set on fire, looting ... when many of those arrested were processed, a large majority of the people had never been in trouble with the law but had "gotten caught up with the moment".
I experienced during my church shopping days some church teachings that were similar. If I didn't dance or shout or scream in tongues during a service, I was reprimanded afterwards for "quenching the Spirit" and other accusations. As someone who trusted what these people had to say, I made sure that I did and acted the way they wanted me to. After all, I didn't want to be thought of someone who didn't love God. It was a very confusing time and filled with so much guilt and even fear that somehow I just wasn't the "right kind of Christian" or even a Christian at all. Their tactics were cultic, as they held all power over me. It took getting out of there (which meant I had made a decision about my own future and what I was going to do with it without consulting them) and they pretty much "washed their hands of me". I was fortunate to have some people who were ready to walk with me through this time of departure, but I have to admit, I was scared when I left. Thankfully I had balanced and levelheaded people to meet me on the other side and guide me to safety.
Thanks for that insight. I think you hit a lot of truth there.
I concur. "Group think" is a powerful motivator. It's why a cancer patient (on Youtube) who is kicked in the chest by Todd Bentley during a "healing", falls to the floor in pain, is stunned, and remains speechless when asked over and over if he feels "the power". He doesn't tell Bently he's pissed. He doesn't tell him all he feels is chest pain. He doesnt curse him and get up and walk out.
He sits there, with an incredulous look of shock and dismay at what just happened and says nothing while the crowd shouts their hallelujahs and wave their hands, and waits to see the afflicted and abused man praise jesus. For him to have shown a countenance counter to the crowd's preferred reaction would have made HIM the outcast. Pathetic.
Fast,
If I can back up a couple of comments to a question you asked me about why was I sad that a fraud was exposed, it's this. I'm not sad that Todd Bentley has been exposed. I'm sad because his actions affected his immediate family first; his wife and kids. They're separated now and they are innocent victims.
Not to mention the tens of thousands of other innocent victims who have been hurt by this. But in my opinion, they are the lucky ones because hopefully they will not be deceived again.
I just hate to see a family ripped apart the way that the Bentley family has.
"I'm sad because his actions affected his immediate family first; his wife and kids. They're separated now and they are innocent victims."
I don't know about the kids, but come on; I doubt his wife is all that innocent in Todd’s Tent revival affair. Yeah, I can see her complaining (NOT!) all these years to Todd, "Honey, I don't think that pretending to heal the sick and desperate while getting wealthy is ethical, moral or what Jesus would do..." She must of have some idea of what her husband was all about. And now like a rat, she's leaving a sinking ship... (And I thought most Christians don't approve of divorce).
Joyce, I think on some level you really hope there is a true modern day supernatural miracle worker despite the overwhelming lack of any evidence, so you cut slack for all those associated with Todd’s sham.
- Fastthumbs
- Fastthumbs
I can't speculate about his wife, Fast. All I know is that innocent people, whoever they are, have been burned and deeply hurt.
And I know there is a supernatural miracle worker. His name is Jesus.
"supernatural miracle worker" ?
Joyce, my guess is you can't provide examples of three genuine Jesus miracles for which no natural explanation can be provided.
Oh, I suppose any beliver who over comes drugs or over eating, or alcoholism, etc, can and will credit jesus for their recovery. But that only because they have such low self esteem, think so little of their natural ability to control their lives, make life changing decisions, and manage their affairs that they can't credit themselves for their recovery. But thats all self imposed mind game.
The fact is, unless you count things like the one kid who isn't killed in the bus load of dead kids as a "miracle"; or the track star who comes back from an ACL injury to win the Gold and credits Jesus for the win, there are no credible examples of miracles.
But hey, Jesus as miracle worker is part of the doctrine. If you doin't buy into it, someone is gonna call you "Not a True Christain". And who'd want that!?? :)
I'm going to have to disagree on you on this one, Jon. When my brother was ministering in India, he watched a man's hand raised in praise grow and restore itself.
When I was in Africa these past ten days, we saw cripples, hopeless diagnosed cripples, walk after we prayed. I saw smiles with empty teeth that smiled at me the next day with a full and complete smile.
My thoughts are that this happens in the poorest of poor countries where doctor care is limited and they no choice but to trust God.
My eyes saw it.
I will never, ever be the same.
LOL. I called you Jon. I meant Bart. I mean Drom. Oh, heck, you know who I mean. I'm still adjusting to time change and jet lag!
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