View Full Version : Atheists/Agnostics/etc...could you become a televangelist to simply make money?
whocares123
2005-10-01, 14:34
Would it go against your morals to do this? I mean, if none of your "followers" found out you were a fraud, you'd be bringing them peace of mind. You most likely don't believe in a god that will punish you anyway, so why not? Those people would most likely just go to some other crooked televangelist anyway, and give their money to him. Hell, maybe you could even do something good with your profits at least.
Cancerous Cretin
2005-10-01, 16:07
hahaha, making money out of dumb middle americans where the fuck do i sign??
quasicurus
2005-10-01, 17:21
I have morals, but definitely I would scam stupid people. Because why?
Because I believe that a fool and his money should be parted as soon as possible.
I don't care if you are an old woman living on pension, or a single parent struggling to put bread and butter on table, as long as you are an idiot, all your money is belong to me!
among_the_living
2005-10-01, 17:32
They say if you are gonna lie make it the most outrageous lie ever..personally i think the idea of some guy in the sky who made everything..is one of the most amazing lies ever..so ofcourse..id love to taske advantage of people to get their money http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif)
Osiris89
2005-10-01, 17:40
* Shit, the FBI is here, hide the cauldrons full of weed! *
MasterPython
2005-10-01, 17:58
That is why I stay the hell away from organized religion, who knows if the leader is just in it for the money. Even if I had the speaking skills and Bible knowledge I don't think I could scam people like that.
And how much do theses guys make? Just out of curiosity.
quasicurus
2005-10-01, 19:09
quote:Originally posted by MasterPython:
That is why I stay the hell away from organized religion, who knows if the leader is just in it for the money. Even if I had the speaking skills and Bible knowledge I don't think I could scam people like that.
And how much do theses guys make? Just out of curiosity.
A LOT!
Benny Hinn got millions!
Atomical
2005-10-01, 21:53
Plus the more you hate a minority group the more money you bring in. You get paid to be an asshole. This is America.
HellzShellz
2005-10-02, 08:16
quote:Originally posted by MasterPython:
That is why I stay the hell away from organized religion, who knows if the leader is just in it for the money. Even if I had the speaking skills and Bible knowledge I don't think I could scam people like that.
And how much do theses guys make? Just out of curiosity.
It isn't for me to know their income, or the intention of their heart, or any of us. It's for God to know, and God deals with people individually. You can't serve God and Money. For those who die having served money and not God, I'm guessing they're not going to be with God.
Personally, I would preach the gospel to the world for free, I wouldn't ask them to support me doing it, or nothing. If they wanted to, that would be awesome. The bible says to GIVE from the heart. I do tithe, Because I believe God for spiritual revelation, and I get it. I give it for the purpose of the gospel being spread.
God loves a cheerful giver. I will most certainly support ministries reaching out to the lawless. God's my daddy, I love pleasing him.
And ya know, If you're walking with God, you're going to know when someone isn't preaching what the word says, because you're going to be reading the word. Therefore you're going to be able to discern between ministries that are FOLLOWING God, and those that aren't.
There are some people who've said, "Give me $20.00, and I'll get you healed." Would I sow into JUNK like that. Not in a million years.
Acts 5:38-39 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
You'll know if it's of God or not.
We're athiests, and while we don't believe that God is there to punish us, it doesn't meanthat we have no morales.
flatplat
2005-10-02, 10:36
I wouldn't do it as I don't want to sink to their level.
AngryFemme
2005-10-02, 11:34
It would depend on how I was asking them to part with their money. And it would depend on where I told them the money was going, and where it was really going. Televangeling couldn't really be deemed wrong unless you were selling empty promises and making it seem as though their money was going to support the cause they believe in, when actually it's lining the pockets of said evangelist.
If I was saying: "Sending me your money helps prove that there is no God", then that would be false, and misleading, and morally unacceptable to me.
If I got on television and spouted: "Send me your money so that I can continue to stay on television and support the belief of "There is no God", then that would not be falsifying or misleading. I'd just be asking them for monetary support to help keep the "cause" going along. But in order to not feel like a Scheister, I'd want them to know exactly where there money was going and exactly what my intent was on spending it.
Thinking of it in that light, isn't that pretty much what the Christian Televangelists are doing? Asking for support so that they can continue to publically air their "cause"? The only ones I find to be harmful are the ones who claim to heal (false advertisement), get you into heaven quicker (false promises), or lie and say that the money is going to the Church they support, when it's really going into their personal bank accounts (misleading appropriation of funds).
whocares123
2005-10-02, 15:19
quote:Originally posted by Siatek:
We're athiests, and while we don't believe that God is there to punish us, it doesn't meanthat we have no morales.
You're generalizing though. Obviously, most televangelists are atheists, because if they really believed in the shit they were preaching, they'd believe they were going to hell. So apparently some atheists don't have morals...Just like every other group, omg!
So what you meant to say is:
"I am an atheist, and I don't believe that God is there to punish me, but I still have morals and would not do that."
See how using the word "I" really spices things up?
Edit: AngryFemme, I think you misunderstood me. I'm asking if you, as an atheist, would become a Christian televangelist, since those people do not really believe what they preach.
[This message has been edited by whocares123 (edited 10-02-2005).]
Atomical
2005-10-02, 17:10
I think heavily religious people are often misguided. It's better to take the money from them before they give it to someone like Tom Delay.
AngryFemme
2005-10-02, 18:16
My bad, whocares123. Seems I did misunderstand your post. I'd like to restate my whole position, in that case:
No. Even though the people will just be giving the money to another Christian televangelist, I still wouldn't want to be deceiving people by claiming I was Christian.
gravitybong
2005-10-05, 16:00
NO. Anyone who would trade morals for money is a weak, untrustworthy, fucking scumbag. The only exeption is if you do something like in the movie Dodgeball where you eventually fuck over the big corporation/person trying to convince you to change.
great_sage=heaven
2005-10-06, 02:18
Fuck no. Most of the people who would give money to televangelists are gullible, desperate for belonging, and worst of all usually poor. You'd have to be a real shitty to exploit them. Being a good person means being good to others whether they're smart or stupid. Don't kid yourself, if you would do this, you lack morals.
[This message has been edited by great_sage=heaven (edited 10-06-2005).]
Fanglekai
2005-10-06, 02:26
i'd do it, and be absolutely convincing.
Elephantitis Man
2005-10-06, 02:56
I don't see why an atheist wouldn't. It's deceptive, but what makes deception wrong? If there is no intelligent being overseeing the universe, the current state of the universe occured by chance. Because there is no superior meaning involving the entire spectrum of the universe, the only sense of meaning for humans to ever feel is individual meaning.
The core of individual meaning is self preservation and self preservation requires resources. The only boundaries to obtaining said resources are morals and ethics, centered around a given view of right and wrong. But because there is no definite right and wrong, all viewpoints of right and wrong are subjective to each person, and no one person may deem anothers view of right and wrong as 'wrong'. Doing so would suggest that there is in fact a definite right and wrong; and in there being a definite right and wrong, there would have to be a being which initiated such standards.
So, either everyone and everything is right and there is no wrong, meaning there would be absolutely no problem in falsely portraying yourself as a televangelist; or there are doings with are always wrong, meaning there must be some form of definite right; and an external source of what is truly right.
quote:Originally posted by Elephantitis Man:
I don't see why an atheist wouldn't.
A normal atheist wouldn't because of social pressures.
This fact remains: no televangelists are atheists.
Fanglekai
2005-10-06, 03:35
no televangelists are atheists that you know of
Elephantitis Man
2005-10-06, 03:40
quote:Originally posted by Sarter:
A normal atheist wouldn't because of social pressures.
Thus the need for deception.
quote:Originally posted by Fanglekai:
no televangelists are atheists that you know of
It would be hard for a religious TV celebrity to hide that fact when many people would love to expose it to try to bring down televangelism or just make easy money off the tabloids.
I've never heard of an atheist taking advantage of religious folk outside of Ron L Hubbard, who was clearly a head case. Correct me if there are other precedents.
quote:Originally posted by Elephantitis Man:
Thus the need for deception.
Social pressures remain even when lies are kept secret.
Elephantitis Man
2005-10-06, 04:01
quote:Originally posted by Sarter:
Social pressures remain even when lies are kept secret.
I see. Social pressures = guilt.
prozak_jack
2005-10-06, 04:26
I'd do it for sure. I hate people that much.
ninja_turtle
2005-10-07, 19:16
quote:Originally posted by great_sage=heaven:
Fuck no. Most of the people who would give money to televangelists are gullible, desperate for belonging, and worst of all usually poor. You'd have to be a real shitty to exploit them. Being a good person means being good to others whether they're smart or stupid. Don't kid yourself, if you would do this, you lack morals.
If you do this it doesnt mean you lack morals , it means that you have a different moral standpoint. It doesnt make them any better or worse than anyone else. It is merely an opinion .
But in my opinion I do believe its wrong
Televangelism Rapist
2005-10-08, 03:21
Im a televangelist so i can rape the fat retards who come to have me push thier heads and be all like "you are sav-ed my child"
great_sage=heaven
2005-10-12, 19:44
Yea yea ninja turtle, you're right.
Captain Douche
2005-10-12, 19:47
Slight problem. I couldn't practice BDSM, smoke pot, drink, inject heroin into my eyeballs, anything fun. The best I could do if I was a televangelist is get caught with a hooker. If I'm lucky.