Televangelism is an example of the manipulation of religion for selfish reasons such as fame, money, and power. It is also the fault of gullible followers that these dogmatic speakers are so “successful”. People today have made little progress and throughout history repeatedly use God as a resource, just like the Anglo-Saxons used God as a resource.
Televangelists use their influence to collect fame and renown as well as unintended infamy in some cases. One of the most notorious televangelists, Oral Roberts, has written many books on self-help, maintaining righteousness, and more. On the cover of Oral Robert’s book “Miracles of Seed Faith” and many of his other books, there is a very large picture of him and his name is almost bigger than the size of the title. Clearly, branding is essential to the success of television evangelists. Many other televangelists also use books and tapes to advance their brand. Evangelist Jerry Falwell wrote and marketed 12 books (televangelism). The competition within the “multimillion-dollar industry” (Burchett) that is televangelism breeds a sort of race between different televangelist channels and shows. Branding helps each talking-head to flex influence over a growing audience of “over 20 million viewers” (Burchett). Televangelists “often competed with [each other for influence and power] as much as they battled Satan” (Burchett). Television Evangelists strive to accumulate money supposedly for the church; however that money is mostly spend on self-indulgence. Televangelists Kenneth Copeland and Jesse Duplantis justify buying a private jet with outrageous reasons. They say they can’t stand up on a commercial flight and talk to God out loud, claim commercial planes are long tubes filled with demons, and finally argue that they’re too famous and people might ask them to pray for them (5). The last one is somewhat believable, but a private jet is still a luxury that I’m sure the donators did not intend their money to go towards. “Scamgelists” (5) often use empty promises or threats to encourage donations. “Oral Roberts sought funds for the development of the City of Faith Medical and Research Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by introducing the concept of "seed faith," a means by which viewers might reap miracles from God in their own lives by donating to Roberts's ministry.” (Knowles). In 1987, he also …show more content…
This flexing and manipulation of the public is a show of power over the more than 20 million viewers (at the peak of the televangelism era) (Burchett).
Much like our Anglo-Saxon Ancestors, people today are willing to believe outrageous things to feel included, and to find a purpose. The mass of viewers supported a “vast network of worldwide ministries” (Burchett) including the CBN, Christian Broadcasting Network (Televangelism). People actually donated to televangeslists in hopes of reaping miracles through seed faith karma work. It might be assumed that people are generally more educated and better at realizing lies and rhetoric than our ancestors, but the audience of these men is just as naïve as the Anglo-Saxons were.
More recently, the public has realized the lies behind most televangelists. Celebrity and talk show journalist, John Oliver set up his own evangelical church and calls it “Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption” and collects money to donate (Last). John Oliver’s satirical response demonstrates a commonly accepted view of televangelists. Unsurprisingly “Oliver's fake house of worship raised thousands of dollars” which were sent to Doctors Without Borders
Televangelists use their influence to collect fame and renown as well as unintended infamy in some cases. One of the most notorious televangelists, Oral Roberts, has written many books on self-help, maintaining righteousness, and more. On the cover of Oral Robert’s book “Miracles of Seed Faith” and many of his other books, there is a very large picture of him and his name is almost bigger than the size of the title. Clearly, branding is essential to the success of television evangelists. Many other televangelists also use books and tapes to advance their brand. Evangelist Jerry Falwell wrote and marketed 12 books (televangelism). The competition within the “multimillion-dollar industry” (Burchett) that is televangelism breeds a sort of race between different televangelist channels and shows. Branding helps each talking-head to flex influence over a growing audience of “over 20 million viewers” (Burchett). Televangelists “often competed with [each other for influence and power] as much as they battled Satan” (Burchett). Television Evangelists strive to accumulate money supposedly for the church; however that money is mostly spend on self-indulgence. Televangelists Kenneth Copeland and Jesse Duplantis justify buying a private jet with outrageous reasons. They say they can’t stand up on a commercial flight and talk to God out loud, claim commercial planes are long tubes filled with demons, and finally argue that they’re too famous and people might ask them to pray for them (5). The last one is somewhat believable, but a private jet is still a luxury that I’m sure the donators did not intend their money to go towards. “Scamgelists” (5) often use empty promises or threats to encourage donations. “Oral Roberts sought funds for the development of the City of Faith Medical and Research Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by introducing the concept of "seed faith," a means by which viewers might reap miracles from God in their own lives by donating to Roberts's ministry.” (Knowles). In 1987, he also …show more content…
This flexing and manipulation of the public is a show of power over the more than 20 million viewers (at the peak of the televangelism era) (Burchett).
Much like our Anglo-Saxon Ancestors, people today are willing to believe outrageous things to feel included, and to find a purpose. The mass of viewers supported a “vast network of worldwide ministries” (Burchett) including the CBN, Christian Broadcasting Network (Televangelism). People actually donated to televangeslists in hopes of reaping miracles through seed faith karma work. It might be assumed that people are generally more educated and better at realizing lies and rhetoric than our ancestors, but the audience of these men is just as naïve as the Anglo-Saxons were.
More recently, the public has realized the lies behind most televangelists. Celebrity and talk show journalist, John Oliver set up his own evangelical church and calls it “Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption” and collects money to donate (Last). John Oliver’s satirical response demonstrates a commonly accepted view of televangelists. Unsurprisingly “Oliver's fake house of worship raised thousands of dollars” which were sent to Doctors Without Borders