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.
The Man does not claim to heal what I think he does is give people a reason to know that through faith and Biblical Teachings Jesus is able to heal all, and that is from Scipture Teaching.
He takes the Gospel of Jesus all over the world just as Jesus commanded.
Hinn's message is a distortion and perversion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and hence no gospel at all.
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/bhinn.html
Can you be more specific on his distortion?
Me too.
I read this in a National Review (not online, but the real thing) about 10 years ago. I assume that the party has only made further inroads in this vein, since I have not seen anything to indicate these guys were slapped down in any way. But my source is at school---if I still have it. It just struck me as amazing. . . . but not surprising.
The problem is that what Hinn does has nothing to do with the Gospel of Christ. It makes me cringe to think that there are people who think that what Hinn does has any similarity to actual Christianity.
Ah. It is the Hindu group. But the article I read on this didn't make that distinction. It was an article from National Review some 8 or so years ago.
The link provided has reams of information on Hinn's doctrinal and ethical perversions. Check them out.
A nifty article and expose on Hinn (and there are many) may be found below. Blessings and have a great day.
http://www.thedoormagazine.com/theheretic.html
Nobody wants to be labeled a terrorist and get the cash flow cut off.
No, the event is a conspiracy to fill Hinn's coffers. He's nothing but a heretic.
He's an Oral Roberts disciple, a Charismatic, and while that's not my cup o' tea, many people love the revival tradition and who am I to bash them?
"Let me know when he goes into children's cancer wards and burn units and lays on some of that 'healing.' "
You should try doing some more reading. Are you really a "Reverend"?
Jesus went to a place with lots of sick people -- the pool at Bethsaida -- and only one man got healed.
There were many in Jesus' hometown which were not healed, either.
Televangelists (and pedophile priests) do more to damage their beloved faiths than any outside entity. For every convert they gain, untold numbers of youths and non-Christians are turned off to religion permanently by these overwrought TV pitchmen.
Perhaps I could be compelled to reconsider my opinion of him if he even did something as simple as restore a missing arm or leg.
Healings are very much a part of the Holy Bible and the Gospels.
The Jews fasted quite frequently in the OT for healings one case was in the Book of Samuel where he was healed of a physical sickness after 3 days, Healings are all through-out the Bible.
Then why is his Worldwide Ministry growing?
I am still waiting for a cure for my nearsightedness and dandruff.
bump for later..
Unless something has changed, I think that there is little danger that Hinn's ministry will convert anyone to Christianity.
Dan
Biblical Christianity web site
Biblical Christianity message board
Biblical Christianity BLOG
Yeah. Benny's gonna lay hands and they will be Saved. Who thinks up this mess?
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