Televangelist Paul Crouch Attempts to Keep Accuser Quiet

LA Times ^ | 9/12/04 | William Lobdell

[The Bandit]

Televangelist Paul Crouch, founder of the world's largest Christian broadcasting network, has waged a fierce legal battle to prevent a former employee from publicizing allegations that he and Crouch had a sexual encounter eight years ago.

Crouch, 70, is the president of Trinity Broadcasting Network, based in Orange County, whose Christian programming reaches millions of viewers around the world via satellite, cable and broadcast stations.

The source of the allegations against him is Enoch Lonnie Ford, who met Crouch at a TBN-affiliated drug treatment center in 1991 and later went to work for the ministry.

After Ford threatened to sue TBN in 1998, claiming that he had been unjustly fired, Crouch reached a $425,000 settlement with him. In return, Ford agreed, among other things, not to discuss his claim about a sexual encounter with the TV preacher.

[hford02]

These goofs give all fundamental Christians a bad rep. The sincere work of many legitimate ministries is undermined by the shallow, self-indulgent image of these Christ exploiters.
If there's a hotter corner in hell -- I hope Osama, OJ and the Ramseys can make a little extra room for these two maggots.

[Types_with_Fist]

Like the sun coming up in the morning, the self righteous spokesmen for the Lord eventually implode from their own pomposity.

Amen! These two are especially dangerous, having launched Benny Hinn and other golddiggers. They even add their own twists to scripture, all designed to enhance the one thing they are most interested in our doing: Tithing and Giving.

[razorback-bert]

I have seen better looking drag queens in New Oleans, even while sober.

[fishtank]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?SX=4145c1f4e3091b589332ba54958443daeefec17e;m=all;o=time;q=deep;s=grpl

[mabelkitty]

You aren't qualified to make that statement.

[roadrunner96]

There's Robert Schuler in the background to of the Chrystal Cathedral. I'm not sure if that is fair, but I only have caught a glimpse of his show.

[fishtank]

Sculler is not too much of a money grubber, but he IS a heretic.

[gedeon3]

This sh*t is a lie from the pit of hell.

[Max7]

Scientology

[SerpentDove]

Sorry to interrupt, but does anybody know if the charges are true?

[AppyPappy]

Read 1st Corinthians. We are to judge believers by their fruit. A person who eschews the gathering of the church surely is not exhibiting the fruit of one who is a believer. Of course, if you cannot go to church, the church can come to you. But every believer should be in a gathering. All of Paul's letters address this in some fashion.

[roadrunner96]

(Warning: Long post but discusses a few things about TBN that would reflect on some knowledge of the Station vs. what has basically been reading and I am not condemning; some broadbrush types of remarks about Televangelists in general)

I think, Paul Crouch and his empire use to make big deals about the fullfillment of Biblical Prophecy by broadcasting all over the world;

Before someone says, "you watched it", well, there are small towns that do not have many local stations but TBN is still there.

Hal Lindsey was on their a lot, author of "The late great planet earth";

I also remember, they would have this Pianist Dino who was a bit "Liberace" like;

But I'll say, I never gave any money to them, but in all humility, I am not going to set myself up to make unkind personal remarks towards them, critical yes, but not going overboard.

A lot of those shows were on TBN like Jack Van Impe, Benny Hin, etc.

You will find some books too, by Crouch including "The OmegaCode" etc. which I managed to read after purchasing it well discounted.

I never found Crouch to be, like some others, to be highly critical of others, but I can confidently feel, that as to this current accuser, they are probably up on the stage and calling it "an assault by Satan" or something similar.

They've sure got the bucks, I'll be honest and saying, I've watched some of the shows but never sent them money and did not find it responding to my religious needs. This is all a hot topic for all. I mean Pat Robertson's still on, things like that.

[DoWhatsRight]

Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. God is still on the throne and believers are still living in a fallen world in daily need of God's mercy.

[reagan_fanatic]

Is it like a Televangelist law or something that their women have to use a trowel and a leaf blower to apply mascara and eye shadow?

ROTFLMAO!!

What a visual that would be!! I wonder who cleans the walls afterwards!!

[roadrunner96]

http://www.tbn.org/ This is their site, one thing, I did not make clear above; is that if: IF, I needed to watch one of these TV preachers; I might as well be content to watch Pat Robertson but would probably be more of a mind to see if anyone local is on TV. Personally, I moved somewhere where I am not a Lutheran but there are a lot of them. They put together some fine Easter Time celebrations.

This is all a hot topic for all. I mean Pat Robertson's still on, things like that.

[sine_nomine]

Yes the fruits are rotten at TBN. By their fruits ye shall know them.

[MissAmericanPie]

ewwwwwwww

[Patton@Bastogne]

.


F16Fighter


Perhaps I can justify your hysterics by assuming one of those "upright Christians" gave you an @ss-whuppin' when you were just a tyke ?

But then again, there are more than a few of those who you maligned and mocked who happen to be serving right now who wouldn't at all mind reprising that childhood situation for you.


Where do we begin, Oh One Whose Mouth Overides His @rse ?

Sorry to disappoint you, Great Karrnack, but "no one" has ever given this man an @ss-whuppin'.

And if you're of the mind to meet me halfway between Tampa and where-ever the hell #hit-hole you inhabit, I'll give you the unique opportunity to whine-@ss all the way back to your mamma's kitchen, where you can explain to her that some (allegedly) anti-christian guy at Free Republic gave YOU the @ss-whuppin' you threatened him with.



By the sounds of your irrate and violent response, I'd wager that either you or your daddy is one of those "hirling" Radio-TV preacher-schmucks that prey on Widows and Orphans, as you follow Mannon's edit to rob them of every extra penny they have.

Actually, you also sound like you and your preacher-daddy both need a sense of humor (after a solid dose of honesty).

May I gently suggest you write a hefty check to Brother Benny Hinn, so he can impart to you the Wonderful Spiritual Gift of Divine Laughter .... as he marches around like the Absolute Lunatic he is on his TV stage in whatever town he's decided to Financially Pillage and Plunger this Year ....

After all, as a joke, you're the perfect punch line ...



Patton@Bastogne
Free Republic Member since 1998.



General George S. Patton Jr. Website




.

[Glenmerle]

Whether we like to admit it or not, there is a group of people in the US whose tastes run to "tacky." . . . Very few mainstream churches would allow their pastor to spend $500,000 or $1mm a year in church revenue to buy air time and try to establish an audience

I think the toughest problem to tackle would be the issue of mainstream/orthodox Christians being boring--not because they are in fact boring, but because, as you say, a lot of people's taste runs to tacky, and because people tend to like emotional rather than sound teaching.

I understand the money issue. And I certainly don't suggest that Norman Geisler, Peter Kreeft, etc. should be (or would be) in it for the money. In fact, I think someone running a network who puts such Christians on air should be prepared to be non-profit, or even to operate at a loss. The idea of it being a money-making enterprise gives me the willies. I'd like to see it done as a countermeasure, as contending for the faith. So many people are misled by the likes of the Crouches, and there just aren't enough people, at least on TV, speaking against them. So many people get their theology from the TV--why shouldn't it be a battlefield as much as anyplace else?

[Deb]

The LA Times' front page piece was an ugly hit on people who were the victim of yet another character assassin. These folks sure aren't my taste, but the media uses any excuse to mock, "expose" and deride all Christians...unless they're black race pimps, then they hold their fire as long as possible.

The Crouches give many older, lonely shut-ins something very valuable, a feeling of family and belonging. I've always thought that was worth a lot. It's not our job (or the Times) to decide who God uses.