OK, let’s compare Oral Roberts to the Rev Al Sharpton, or the Rev Jesse Jackson or the Rev Msgr Geno Baroni, or the Rev Msgr John Egan or the Rev ......
OR, let’s compare him to others with expensive tastes ... Hollywood stars, athletes, officers of Fannie/Freddie.
OR, let’s compare him to others who accepted money from others. Donations to Roberts were voluntary. Donantions to politicians were involuntary.
On balance, Oral Roberts was a positive force in society. On balance, his life benefitted others more than it hurt them. Yes, he had many flaws.
And I didn’t buy his theology or worship style. But that’s no reason to trash him.
There is plenty of reason to expose and criticize Roberts. He twisted the Scriptures, fleeced old ladies, preached and practiced covetousness, taught all sorts or heresies and brought shame to the name Jesus Christ and to His Church.
Christians need to emphatically separate themselves from charlatans such as Roberts. Failing to do so allows Christianity, the Gospel and Jesus Christ Himself, to be misrepresented and blasphemed.
Chritians should be so united against these types of heretics and charlatans that even unbelievers would look at someone like Roberts and immediately say, “He’s not a real Christian preacher, real Christians don’t act like he does or teach or believe the things he does.”
You’re not a very good thinker are you, or your brain is a spinning tree.
My comment was specifically, and I might add explicitly targeted at the HEADLINE, not at Oral Roberts, or this authors story about Oral Roberts. I made a point of doing so, because I didn’t want to offend any supporters of Oral Roberts especially as I didn’t know him, but only of him.
The HEADLINE reminded me of the phony, but for awhile revered Reverend Ike whom amassed a fortune before falling from grace. For him it was the wealth he could accumulate quickly that drove him, and apparently a passion for Rolls Royces to drive.
That said I note yours was the only response to my comment at the HEADLINE, therefore I presume the other readers, commentors got it. It was the HEADLINE, NOT the content.
The REASON is to draw attention away from MORMONism and all of it's foibles.