From: roelle@uars_mag.jhuapl.edu (Curtis Roelle)
Subject: Re: On topic? Right!
Organization: Johns Hopkins University
Date: 13 Nov 92 15:40:38 GMT

carl@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU (Carl J Lydick) writes:

>In article <roelle.721593063@uars_mag>, roelle@uars_mag.jhuapl.edu (Curtis Roelle) writes:
>=                                     Most T.V. evangelists are
>=charlatans.  They are to Christians as worms are to sheep; except T.V.
>=parasites prefer the lining of wallets to that of intestines.  When
>=John discusses Christianity I really doubt he is talking about Bro'
>=Tilton :-).

>How typical.  Someone points out the apparent motivations of ORDAINED MINISTERS
>and your response is "but they're not *REAL* Christians."  So how come they're
>still ordained?  Can't the *REAL* Christians spare the time for a little
>self-policing?  If your *REAL* Christians allow the antics of these
>televangelists to pass without comment except when someone else happens to
>mention them, then the rest of have to conclude that you *DO* accept them as
>real Christians.

The guarantee of religious freedom in this country provides an
umbrella for a profusion of beliefs and motivations.  "Policing"
would undermine this freedom.  Ordination is not like accreditaton
practiced by colleges and Universities (i.e. a standard).  The
Baptists ordain their ministers, the Methodists do theirs, the
Catholics their Priests, etc.  Personally I have never given T.V.
evangelists much thought because IMO they are obviously wacky.  Guess
I overlooked the fact that there were people like you who take them so
seriously :-).

>=T.V. evangelism harms not only persons who find themselves in
>=circumstances that make them easy to take advantate of, but also
>=because of the public backlash against a segment of the population who
>=call themselves Christians, a name that just happens to be used by the
>=con-men on T.V.  who find it financially rewarding to adopt the 
>=_Christian_ trade mark  and take advantage of freedom of religion in
>=this country to make a $ or $ $.  With good tax benefits too >:-(.

>So why don't the rest of you *DO* something about it?  Like make efforts to
>have the churches disavow these peoply you claim (when it's convenient for you
>to do so) are charlatans.

I imagine the T.V. evangelists would love the attention.  They would
become victims of religious persecution, "Heavenly viewers, we are
facing dark times and the devil is snarling at our door.  We need your
help and your offering to lift us up and carry us through this our
latest trial."  Today's T.V. Evangelism is a business, not a religion;
Trouble is they both call themselves Christian and that confuses you.


>        H  H Y   Y PPPP   OOO    CCC  RRRRR III TTTTT EEEE   !!!
>        H  H  Y Y  P   P O   O  C   C R   R  I    T   E      !!!
>        HHHH   Y   PPPP  O   O  C     RRRR   I    T   EEE     !
>        H  H   Y   P     O   O  C   C R  R   I    T   E
>        H  H   Y   P      OOO    CCC  R   R III   T   EEEEE   !
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You don't have to shout (I AM wearing my glasses).  Like you said
before, "How typical".  When discussing religion this word is often 
trumped out, right Carl?

>Carl J Lydick | INTERnet: CARL@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU | NSI/HEPnet: SOL1::CARL

>Disclaimer:  Hey, I understand VAXen and VMS.  That's what I get paid for.  My
>understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or below).  So
>unless what I'm saying is directly related to VAX/VMS, don't hold me or my
>organization responsible for it.  If it IS related to VAX/VMS, you can try to
>hold me responsible for it, but my organization had nothing to do with it.