While I was getting ready for work this morning, the TV was turned to some Televangelist program. I wasn't really paying attention, but I did catch a "Do no put your faith in your knowledge, do not put faith in what you know; put your faith in Jesus. Some people put so much faith in their prayers when it really requires the faith in Jesus for the prayers to actually work."

I can understand putting your faith in your God over your own wants and ambitions. But does anyone really buy into this during this day and age? Especially with the spread of western idealisms such as individualism and the right to ones own free will, do people still allow statements like this to control their lives?

I'd really like to know because I live in an area where religion really isn't that big. Even the religious people here do not believe most of the stuff their religion preaches.

Amazingly, there are still many people who seem to think that God does not want them to use the faculties that he/she/it/them/whatever gave them.

This notion is an artifact of the Age of Pisces, and the sooner people transcend it, the sooner the species will evolve.

We do not need priests or gurus. All the love and wisdom and power you will ever need lies within; you need only find it, own it, and use it.

Those who do not go within will surely go without. Jesus himself acknowledged as much when he observed that the kingdom of God is within you.

A deity who tells you not to be rational, nor to gain further knowledge and educate yourself, disapproves making yourself a more wise person, the deity should be discarded.

It's not that bad really. It's advocating a nice healthy piece of skepticism, which is always useful.

Besides, I'm sure I can remember passages in the Bible praising Wisdom, Knowledge and Truth.

Of course people buy it. otherwise these televengelists would not collect tithes by the truckload and have fleets of BMW's. Thinking takes more effort than doing what you are told so religion is the easy way out of lifes hardships.

Of course people buy it. otherwise these televengelists would not collect tithes by the truckload and have fleets of BMW's.

Thats actually a pretty scary confirmation that someone is buying into it. Wow. Why? Who? WTF? The hypocrisy? During this day and age.

A deity who tells you not to be rational, nor to gain further knowledge and educate yourself, disapproves making yourself a more wise person, the deity should be discarded.

OP said it was a Televangelist that said it, not God himself.