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.
Actually - Hinn did claim to go into a hospital, along with a number of other clergy, and heal all who were ill.
When follow up was done by outsiders, it was found that Hinn had lied outright. A small service had been held. No one had been healed. Check out my second link earlier in this thread.
I have spent plenty of time myself with folks in the hospital prior to surgery, in recovery, by the death-bed.
I don't claim to heal folks whether with my minty fresh breath, my sport coat or a bottle of vegetable oil.
As for children's hospitals - I am a Shriner and try to do my part toward raising money for research and treatment for children suffering from burns, skeletal defects, etc.
For what it's worth, money is better spent going to the American Cancer Society, the Shriners, Knights of Columbus, MD Association, etc. for funding work toward cures and treatment for diseases and ailments than it is going to support Benny's heresies.
Check these out:
I Cor 5:3 - Judgement in absentia.
Jn 7:24 (Jesus speaking) Judge with righteous judgement.
Lev 19:15 Judge your neighbor fairly.
I Thess 5:21 - Examine everything carefully.
I Jn 4:1 Test the spirits (teachings)in order to avoid false prophets.
No man is perfect but God.
That is not the issue.
If he's a charlatan, he will answer to God.
He is a wolf. Shall we let the wolf continue to run off with the sheep while he awaits judgment?
| "Adam was a super-being when God created him. ...The Scriptures declare clearly that he had dominion over the fowls of the air...which means he used to fly. ...Adam not only flew, he flew to space. He was- with one thought he would be on the moon" -Benny Hinn(Praise the Lord, TBN, 26th December 1991). |
I don't know about Oprah, but the Presidents' tax returns are always open for all to see.
This is getting to be a trend.
"Once"
Yes once. I only had to watch "Friends" or "Will and Grace" once each to know they were also not worth the time.
With all due respect TommyDale...
He gives God the credit, but don't you have to send 'ol Benny a few bucks before he asks the Lord to heal thee?
And if he gives God the credit for being able to heal people through 'ol Benny, WHY ISN'T HE IN THE HOSPITALS EMPTYING THEM OUT?
(Hint) Watch what he does, don't listen to what he says.
Rev, I found this hate site a little too far out to put much credince to. I avoid watching t.v ministers altogether so I have no good opinion about Hinn. The web site also contained a lot of Catholic bashing that I found to be very un-informed. So from that prospective, how much homework had the authors on the site really done?
Why should I?
Notice the elipses in the statement that you provided meaning that parts of Hinn's statement is missing. Why not just quote his entire statement rather than parts of it?
To be above reproach. Opening the books proves that you have nothing to hide.
Never have I heard Hinn say anything like that.
WHY ISN'T HE IN THE HOSPITALS EMPTYING THEM OUT?
Personally, I believe that we will see days like that where BELIEVERS are healed by the masses.
When the board of directors and my congregation decide that they wish for our books to be open to the "public" then I will open them. Until then, our books will be audited by said board and congregation. If the people that support our church financially are satisfied then we have no one else to worry about.
In the same vein, I can ask you which are accurate. Because most of the comments are edited to exclude their entirety, how can one be sure of accuracy?
Interesting view PleaseNo.
Which view?
I (gulp) actually liked Benny before I heard him tell a new convert to "cut your hair and get rid of the earring!"
Didn't Jesus accept people for who they are? Does not wearing an earring and having short hair make one a better Christian?
Needless to say, I can't take him seriously anymore.
"cut your hair and get rid of the earring!"
Must have been trying to heal him from un-employment.
That was just for fun. A quick search using the words "hinn" and "heresy" will give you more quotes than you care to look at, some in context and some out. That Hinn is a fruitcake is not even a matter of opinion since he has incriminated himself. There will always be people willing to support guys like him. Even after Jim Bakker was exposed, many thought he was being set up-- even after he confessed! Today he is back on TV.
What does it matter to people who like him? If deception means nothing, if heresy is overrated, if no one will ever have to give an account to God, if there is no Hell, then all the fuss is a waste of energy. But if not....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.