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.
Thank you so much for your wise post. You are appreciated.
To be fair, I believe they said something similar about Jesus.
He never cleared hospitals or leprosy camps, nor did the apostles for that matter.
We can produce ours but choose not to allow "just anyone" to poke through them. Our tax reports are posted for anyone who enters the building to see. A financial statement is posted on our bulletin board quarterly. Anyone wishing to see the "books" (check registers, cancelled checks, receipts etc ) is welcome to provided that they are a member of our congregation.
Muslims need saving I give credit to any Christian willing to go over there and preach when it is certain death they face...
Mr. Hidden Earpiece?!
Who would take such a charlatan seriously?
"save your condescension, it's singularly unimpressive."
I notice that you didn't even try to refute what I said. That's because you can't. If you can, then please do so.
As far as who is trying to be impressive, I am not the one pointing out that I am a "Reverend", trying to impress people with my credentials.
You have info on Benny Hinn?
I am sure your not judging Hinn
Hee!. That misidentification never gets old.
No, it's not me who is insecure.
People make non-Biblical statements about healing all the time.
For example, you said:
"Let me know when he goes into children's cancer wards and burn units and lays on some of that 'healing.' "
And I simply stated that Jesus did not do any such thing, either, so your point is ridiculous.
Whether Hinn is a charlatan or not has nothing to do with this conversation, I am only responding to what you said earlier, so your links are useless.
He'd be more than happy to[if the price is right].Of course there's no refunds if his hocus pocus doesn't work.
Benny Hinn was caught, on camera, secretly receiving instructions from offstage as to the names and afflictions of people in the audience. He had a hidden earpiece through which HE DECEIVED HIS AUDIENCE. Benny Hinn is a fraud, simple as that.
I think you missed the point. As I mentioned in the previous post, this discussion has nothing to do with Hinn being a charlatan or not.
I'm not supporting Hinn. I think he is at least a weirdo, but more likely a shameless profiteer. I know next to nothing about the man.
My point was that it's not appropriate to expect anyone to be able to go to a hospital and heal everyone in there, because Jesus had the opportunity to do things like that and He did not.
The Scriptures say that He COULD NOT heal many in His hometown because of their lack of faith. There were some instances where He did heal all the sicknesses of the people but sometimes He only cured some of them.
As for your statement of, "I would add, I'd like God to clear some true prophet to start healing people in hospitals at large, or raising the dead in cemeteries for that matter, but he has not shown himself pleased to do so in this era yet."
According the life of Jesus and His ministry this will never occur. It's not up to God to make this happen. Jesus said their lack of faith prevented Him from doing many miracles.
Tool's of the trade.
I guess when God's line is busy, you gotta resort to your wife barking names and diseases of audience members into a secret microphone/earpiece system.
Sounds about right.
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