I'm shocked at how many people think the allegations are automatically true. The guy who's accusing him "has a history of drug problems and has served time for a sex offense". It sounds like an attempt by a psycho to extort money from Paul Crouch. Read the article. The guy is an accomplished extortionist. He already said that he'd keep the manuscript out of the public eye if Crouch paid him $10-million dollars.
I could care less if Crouch is or is not a homosexual. He is still a POS who is probably running his whole operation for the simple reason of making money by ripping off his ignorant viewers.
BTW, I'm an atheist but have tremendous respect for traditional Western Christianity something with which these TV hucksters have very little to do with.
Like Michael Jackson, right?
Your point is valid. But as to your shock over the number of people who assume this it true... no need. I grew up in So Cal just a couple of towns north of this TBN abomination. I found myself watching Crouch's channel 40 for its entertainment value, something akin to being fixated on train wreck. PTL and much of the other programming was/is so over-the-top that it just draws in the eye. Probably this is just part of their overall business model. Their schtick is mind manipulation and surely whatever entices a potential victim to watch is fine with them. Hence the lavender hair and bordello set. ~ SHUDDER ~
Once (circa 1986/7) I was so disgusted by one of their interview programs that I wrote a letter to Paul, giving specific examples of the offensive programming (an author was talking about her book and the host was so rude and belittling and demeaning to the guest, even I couldn't believe it). Paul wrote a personal letter back apologizing for the show. Of course, after that, I kept getting all sorts of junk mail from TBN. Even when I left the state it kept following me. I think it only stopped when I moved enough times to outpace the forwarding notifications TBN was getting from the post office.
[And about that host: I forget his name. He was a pastor of a church called Melodyland, not far from TBN, and was run out of town a year or two later after some "financial irregularies" with his church/ministry. Gee why was I not surprised.]
The accusations may be true, or Crouch may be a victim of extortion. But considering his and his wife's reputation and history, I can see why most here are inclined to presume the worst. Posters have seen the Crouch's in action before, and it isn't pretty. Character counts, and Paul Crouch doesn't score very high in that department.
Then why did Paul Crouch try to cover it up with $425,000 in hush money? That's not the way ANYONE with half a brain would respond to a threat like that.
It is well known that "Christian" leaders who advocate blatantly false doctrine are also untrustworthy in other areas of life. Crouch is only endangering himself if he is a deviant. However, he is murdering the souls of millions with his far-flung empire of paganism in the name of Christ. The people who abandon faithful ministers for these wolves will get slaughtered, sooner or later.
Money? As Luther said, the people who will not give Christ a penny will gladly give Satan a small fortune.
"In the third place, false teachers flay their disciples to the bone, and cut them out of house and home, but even this is taken and endured. Such, I opine, has been our experience under the Papacy. But true preachers are even denied their bread. Yet this all perfectly squares with justice! For, since men fail to give unto those from whom they receive the Word of God, and permit the latter to serve them at their own expense, it is but fair they should give the more unto preachers of lies, whose instruction redounds to their injury. What is withheld from Christ must be given in tenfold proportion to the devil. They who refuse to give the servant of truth a single thread, must be oppressed by liars."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 111f. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.