Televangelist Benny Hinn has asked supporters of his ministry for $2.5 million in donations, which he says an anonymous donor will match dollar by dollar to help him get out of debt (yea right).
OK, so lets see if I have this right … the guy who pushes the “Prosperity Gospel”, the belief that his imaginary friend will bestow financial blessing upon those who are “true” Christians, is in debt to the tune of $5 million, and now needs to plead impoverishment and beg for money, and so …. (Oh bugger, I just broke my irony meter).
But wait, this guy has received (conned) a huge fortune from his followers (idiots), so what has happened to it all? The answer is, a private jet, luxury cars, and a rather lavish lifestyle.
Are there really people out there stupid enough to simply hand over their money to fund this fraud? Sadly yes. If you are one of those poor fools determined to enrich this kook by making yourself even poorer, then here are a few facts you should ponder over first.
Top five facts you should first consider if you are ever tempted to make a donation
- He has make numerous prophecies, for example the destruction of homosexuals in the USA, the death of Fidel Castro in the 1990s, and the end of the world in 1992 and 1999 … this makes him rather notable, because he is consistently wrong each and every time, and has never ever been right ….ever. Now remind me again what the bible says should happen to false prophets.
- In 2001 a documentary team followed seven cases of “miracle healings” from Hinn’s crusade … but they did not find any cases where people were actually healed … ever … not one.
- In November 2004, the CBC Television show The Fifth Estate did a special titled “Do You Believe in Miracles” on the apparent transgressions committed by Benny Hinn’s ministry. With the aid of hidden cameras and crusade witnesses, the producers of the show demonstrated Benny’s apparent misappropriation of funds, his fabrication of the truth, and the way in which his staff chose crusade audience members to come on stage to proclaim their miracle healings. In particular, the investigation highlighted the fact that the most desperate miracle seekers who attend a Hinn crusade—the quadriplegics, the brain-damaged, virtually anyone with a visibly obvious physical condition—are never allowed up on stage; those who attempt to get in the line of possible healings are intercepted and directed to return to their seats.
- The funding for his private jet is no exaggeration, he really has one, the 22-seat craft was purchased in 2007 and christened “Dove One”. It is valued at $36 million and costs $600,000 to maintain each year.
- In 2010 he had an affair with fellow televangelist Paula White. When news of this broke, he lied about it, but confirmed to his publisher that it was in fact true.
If you have been considering the idea of making a donation to a guy who is demonstrated to be a fraud, and a liar, it is time to pause and think again.