Hey people, I was on vacation. I didn't go anywhere. I did alot of shopping! I had to get me some new clothes...you really can't have enough. Without further a due, I bring to you my 'church' blog. I will try to keep away from writing blogs about this, because it's like the never ending story...read on and enjoy.
The article was written for March 4th 2007 in the Toronto Star. What a nervous day it must have been for the Melnichuk family. Pastor Paul Melnichuk and his twin sons Tim and Tom are the leading men of a congregation known as Prayer Palace. These men have been known to take the churches money and not do their share of charity work. They have been known to take helicopters to family reunions, have estates not houses and numerous expensive cars. What adds even more salt to the wound, is that, these men have claimed to lead modest lives to their followers. The congregation which is made up of mostly black individuals, work hard for their money and (for the most part) do not enjoy the lavish life these men lead. All-in-all the article depicts these men to represent the capitalist-preacher; men who seek to gain more than they give.
I don't want to go into detail as to what the article stated (I mean you could do that yourself). What I will say is...this article should stand as an eye-opener to blind believers. The 10% that you give in tithing...do you know where it is going? Have you seen the fruits of your investments. A person with blind faith will follow without questioning. We were not born zombies, we have the cognizant ability to question and analyze our world. Never forget that.
It's funny because these men are like Cre flo Dollar. They have the golden gates on their estates like Cre flo. I don't even want to get into how their messages are very manipulating and how they are constantly working their PR. i.e. Whenever someone questions their riches, they respond with, "THE DEVIL IS TRYING TO KEEP US DOWN!". The devil being the person who questions them. It's like...I mean it is a cult.
I have to say that even when I went to a service in Toronto, that is very popular with Toronto's black youth, the pastor was preaching money. I found that he was preaching prosperity (which was good); however making people feel guilty if they take. They should only give.
At one point in the session, he showed a commercial for a limo sine company that apparently is the company that gives him free rides to and from church. I found that very tacky. If he is going to advertise he should do it at the end. He should also give equal opportunity to all the church goers to advertise their business. It was a cheesy plug.
BET if you could please do me a favor and stop showing Peter Popoff, with his miracle water. I am hurting every time I think that some desperate person is calling for some miracle water.
I hope that one day I don't have to write these kind of blogs. people wise up and do your research. Don't let someone lead you if you don't know where they are taking you. I am dead serious people. We are being made a mockery of when we fall to these false idols and prophets. Trust your educated spirit/heart; a spirit/heart that is basing it's decisions from research, reason, logic, honesty and love.
Happy Spring:)
My Horoscope to you: Trust your systems - All systems.
3 comments:
Thank-you for your post. It is a moral disgrace. Their lifestyle only makes it harder for those ministers and their families that sacrifice their lives for the sick, poor and lost.
The church is a big plantation. It has always reminded me of the Jim Jones Cult. The church members are brainwashed. No one can have a mind of their own or think for themselves. If you say anything, or ask questions..you are threatened with hellfire or told not to touch 'The Lords' anointed!'
I spent many years there. Eventually I got to see a fraction of what these people are like behind closed doors and it is sickening. They march around that church like celebrities and the pastors' wife is considered 'The First Lady.' They never befriended me, but when I left I was publicly interrogated and humiliated in front of other church members and not even my family would protect or defend me. This all happened even in front of my fathers' body and coffin as it lowered into the ground.
They treat their congregation like slaves. Many of them are widows and single mothers. The IRS and Revenue Cda should audit/investigate their underhanded dealings. This clandestine acitvity should be illegal. The priviledged tax-exempt status of this 'so-called' non-profit organization should be removed.
They are fake and worse, snobs. They are so cocky about it too. Tom should have laid the church budget out or at least addressed the article, instead he turned the service into a prosperity seminar and bragged about being called Donald Trump. Paul has only cracked jokes about his tan (wanting to look like his congregation and his teeth will show "whiter") and made underhanded comments to the media. Deflecting blame to turn the congregation on the media is cowardly. It is abhorrent that they are now plastering him with money...to prove what point? During this holy season if only Christ could go in and whip the "money changers" like he did in his day. 'They devour widows houses and for a pretence make long prayer. How can they escape the damnation of hell?'
It's only a wonder what they will do to that lady in the article. The Melnichuk family knows they will get away with it so they feel no form of accountability to their congregation. They have hired lawyers, auitors and a PR team to "cook" the books. What is worse, their poor parishoners feel they deserve the wealth and defend them. That is why Paul said his face should be on the $50 dollar bill so the woman slapped the bill on his forehead then they started throwing the money at his feet. He even invited a young apprentice pastor to put his hand in and pull out whatever money he could get. Is this the work of The Lord?? People have been picketing outside the church but the parishoners are deaf, dumb and blind to the truth, I wish their eyes would open. There needs to be an investigation into the financial status of a church administration that bears similarities to Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. How long will this go on???
‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.’
-Rev Martin Luther King Jr
Thank you for your insight into the issue. I can only say that I am saddened that you had to endure the misuse of human trust. These individuals are not going far at this rate. It is one fast rise up, only to come crashing down. And...Don't worry about those that are not willing to change and continue to give their money. It is literally their loss. In some twisted way they feel safe within the manipulation. The mere idea that there is a ever so slight chance that these preachers are right about what they preach, will keep those whom are desparate in their place. It is unfortunate, but sometimes you can only persuade someone to a certain degree and then they have to persuade themselves. Educated heart my friend is key - research, honesty, logic, and love. No blind faith here and by listening to you...neither for u.
Thank you
I love the Miracle Water story. It's like what I have been told as a Kid growing up with my Grandmother. "No go to nobady fi dem pray fi you; all dem a do is throw dem crosses pan you" People: you don't need no Miracle Water. All the miracle you need starts with you. Put more faith in you and your abilities. Trust you. The truth that you are seeking is within you already ready. The prayer you need starts with you. The love and or happiness you seek is with you. Stop trying to go to these pastors or prayer people to pray for you. Do your own praying. Your own words and mental state of mind will either imprison you are free you - you make that choice, not someone else. Remember: No one can have power over you unless you give it to them.
Keep doing your thing Mr. Speaker.
Diamond
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