Please read "Modern Televangelism" and check out the included links. I want you to continue to reflect on what you read and viewed here, particularly in the context of what we have been talking about in class. Go back to our original question: How have the media (radio and television, in particular) changed both the nature and practice of religion? What has religion become to the followers of these televangelists? Please answer the questions posed in our readings. As you answer these questions, go back to the question I asked above: What is the appeal? Why would that appeal be so powerful today to so many people? To you? Why would people be so eager to believe that there is a relationship between “money and peace”? What is the appeal of the Gospel of Prosperity? I want to hear your reaction.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Blog #3
Please read "Modern Televangelism" and check out the included links. I want you to continue to reflect on what you read and viewed here, particularly in the context of what we have been talking about in class. Go back to our original question: How have the media (radio and television, in particular) changed both the nature and practice of religion? What has religion become to the followers of these televangelists? Please answer the questions posed in our readings. As you answer these questions, go back to the question I asked above: What is the appeal? Why would that appeal be so powerful today to so many people? To you? Why would people be so eager to believe that there is a relationship between “money and peace”? What is the appeal of the Gospel of Prosperity? I want to hear your reaction.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
ReplyDeleteI believe that the problems manifested in modern televangelism may be new for this particular medium -- but are really age old problems. As I watched the clip specifically about money and peace, I was taken back the Zoramites in the Book of Mormon who Alma describes as a “wicked and a perverse people” despite being religious in their own way. Alma observed that “their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.”
Despite little scriptural evidence -- these televangelists used their platform to justify the unholy self-interests of their fans and followers. Through history it looks like people want a God that will endorse their own self-interests. Once they find that God, following him and worshiping him is a no brainer. Why? Because worshiping this kind of God is simple worshiping yourself.
It seems to me that the media found a way to capture this phenomenon that has existed forever. Although this problem has been around a while, the implementation of mass media like this posed as an interesting opportunity for self-centered worshipers and preachers alike. While before teachings like this were limited to the communities that surrounded it, now religious justification for selfishness has hit the mainstream. The commonly quoted phrase by Christ, “By their fruits ye shall know them” seems to be specifically relevant in this situation. It seems that the fall of televangelism is rooted in the public’s understanding of the actual character of certain preachers.
The delicate relationship between financial prosperity and godly principles is not new, nor introduced by televangelists, but I think televangelists were able to capitalize very literally off of the idea. In most organized religion, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and others, we are taught that giving is more important than receiving, and that the poor will inherit the Kingdom of God. But on the other hand, we all need money to a certain extent: we need to live, to support our families, and we benefit from being able to afford luxury goods. Christ taught that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. He told the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions and give everything to the poor, and yet, we hold onto a hope and a principle that God condones the possession of wealth as long as we use it righteously. I personally plan on being wealthy and thus being enabled to serve others in a wider variety of ways, and I don't think there is any harm in that. This is where the televangelists take some liberties, preaching that you need huge amounts of money to demonstrate your faith.
ReplyDeleteHow pleasant to hear the words of men telling you God wants you to be rich, He wants you to be able to wear the designer clothes and take your family on a tour of the world, that He wants you to be able to get those tickets to the Superbowl, etc. Instead of hearing a pastor guilt trip you into donating money to the church, because God blesses us for being poor, how many more people will want to listen if a pastor preaches that God will bring you riches, that his goal and plan for your life is for you to be wealthy beyond your imagination, and that this will bring you peace?
I think the televangelists were incredibly intelligent to realize this and start preaching bout prosperity. I also agree with them up to a certain extent. I think God expects us to do our best to be successful so we can broaden our capabilities to support our families and serve in the capacities that he would like us to serve in. We have to have sufficient for our necessities if we are going to be able to focus on greater meanings in life, but beyond that, I don’t think we need to imagine that God wants us to be bathing in money; he wants us to work hard.