Posted on 01/17/2005 8:48:26 AM PST by missyme
Bangalore, Jan 16: The proposed ‘Pray for India’ programme later this week by American evangelist, Mr Benny Hinn has sparked a controversy with the Bharatiya Janata Party and Sangh parivar organisations up in arms against it, dubbing it as one that’s intended to promote religious conversion.
The Florida-based pastor, who claims to have the power to heal the sick and dying, is slated to attend the three-day prayer meeting from January 21 at Jakkur Airfield here which has been touted by the organisers as a big show, saying lakhs of people from across the country are expected to attend it.
The event has drawn strong opposition from the BJP, the Bajrang Dal and the Hindu Jagarana Vedike who see it as a conspiracy to convert the poor and vulnerable sections to Christianity.
The Bajrang Dal has already announced that 10,000 people would stage a demonstration at the venue. Vedike activists yesterday burnt publicity material of the proposed congregation. In fact, hoardings, banners and posters are now dotting various parts of the city.
Speaking to reporters here today, the Opposition BJP Leader in the legislative assembly, Mr B S Yediyurappa sought to take the state government to task for granting permission to hold the event at Jakkur Airfield, which is “sensitive” from the defence and security viewpoint.
Mr Yediyurappa termed as “unpardonable crime” and “insult to Hindus”, the circulation of pamphlets by organisers of the event criticising idol worship.
“Is the event not a conspiracy to convert people?,” he asked.
Accusing the organisers of promoting “wrong propaganda” that Mr Hinn is a “godman”, Mr Yediyurappa asked the government to reconsider its permission to the prayer meeting at Jakkur.
He said Hindus would voluntarily protest the event.
The Chief Minister, Mr N Dharam Singh has already stated that the government would not take any step to stop the programme, saying the administration cannot interfere with religious events.
Defending the convention, the organisers have said it is being conducted with “noble intention”. During his previous visit to Mumbai last year he did not speak anything about conversion or anything that affects the people’s religious sentiments, they said.
There are reports that Chief Ministers of some Congress-ruled states are likely to attend the meet. Mr Yediyurappa said while the government did not allow conduct of certain rituals at the Hindu-Muslim shrine at Bababudangiri Hills in Chikmagalur district late last year and amassed police force to enforce its decision, it’s now “organising and arranging” Mr Hinn’s programme.
Renowned Kannada litterateur and Jnanapeeth award winner, U R Ananthamurthy has cautioned Mr Dharam Singh against associating himself with the prayer meeting.
“The Chief Minister should not identify himself with this mass hysteria. We should not encourage this (mass hysteria),” Ananthamurthy said.
The police have said they have made elaborate security arrangements for the event.
save your condescension, it's singularly unimpressive.
The event has drawn strong opposition from the BJP, the Bajrang Dal and the Hindu Jagarana Vedike who see it as a conspiracy to convert the poor and vulnerable sections to Christianity.
Wouldn't want to give them any hope now would we?
I don't have a problem with Pat Robertson. I was holding him up as a figure of integrity compared to Hinn, since Pat shows where the money donated to his causes goes.
GOD Bless You, and that is what Jesus holds dear with anyone who is trying to save souls...
Ya know as a Christian I am disturbed at the indians that are against this function. Almost as disgusted as I was the one time I watched Benny Hinn. I mean, can you say Jim Bakker?
Why does he have to open his Books? What purpose is that going to serve? Does Pres Bush or Oprah Winfrey or Donald Trump or Pope Paul open there Books to the Public?
Unlike PresbyRev, you gave no link. If such a thing ever happened, it would be child's play to document. (In fact, I think we'd probably already know a bout it.)
What did you think of all the documentation PresbyRev provided?
Dan
Absolutely. They don't come cheap.
Deception in the Church is definitely a fundamentalist site - I am not a fundamentalist.
I don't buy everything on their website by a longshot.
But, the articles they have linked re: Hinn find him condemned by his own words and actions (apart from any commentary by the proprietors of the website.
Proof? BTW, I am the treasurer for my church. I will only open our books to members of our congregation. I will not open them for the "public" to see.
I'm not saying he's doing everything right or even anything right, but we need to be careful in how we speak about them, for our own sakes.
I did provide a link on Post 98..Have not read all of them yet to make a comment but I will...
Once? And you make a solid judgement based upon watching someone once?
Trust and integrity. Pat Robertson has no problems opening his books, and leads an effort for televangelists to do such.
I am not missyme but I think his "documentation" stinks of religion.
A multinational evangelical mission taking in millions of dollars is a bit different than the local church. Once again, Pat Robertson has no problems opening the books to his ministry. Hinn has refused. Which, IMO, speaks volumes.
We judge charities by how effectively they use the money entrusted to them. Missions that collect donations to engage in charitable works should be subject to the same scrutiny.
How do you know that he hasn't opened his books? And, just who should he open his books to?
Be specific, please. What aspects are incorrect, which of the dozens and dozens of direct quotations is inaccurate?
Dan
Why not?
I am blessed to know that my God is not too small to heal even the slightest ailment or too big to work through any believer. People always look first to discredit their brothers works instead of praising God's. I think Benny Hinn has probably pointed more people to Jesus than I might meet in my lifetime. God bless all God's servants.
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