Out of all the TV preachers, there's only a few I think are sincere believers.

Swaggart was one of them.

He understand the fraility of man, being saved by grace, and he shared a genuine remorse with the world.

btw....if you haven't seen him play, check out Swaggart play the piano.

Would have loved to watch him and Jerry Lee Lewis (his cousin) play together.

Snoofy,

"For me to believe you"

Why would I lie about what I believe regarding Swaggart?

Now, if what you mean is you don't agree with me...why would I care?

Snoofy,

You did list some of the ones I think are in it just for $$.

Right,

"I've known a few preachers in my day. They all have some sort of showbiz ambition."

Sounds like you never really knew any real preachers then...just the storefront showmen.

Most folks can agree there are plenty of charlatans out there.

But don't confuse those with the ones who are doing real ministry without a lot of fanfare.

Legal,

"He believed in swindling the rubes, fleecing the flock, and ------- whatever moved.
You idiot."

He was a sinner, not a swindler.

Christians fall. That's the whole point.

Swaggart wasn't hocking "miracle" prayer cloths, pocketing the cash, and dumping prayer requests in the trash like Tilton.

Yes, Swaggart preached about healing but he didn't stage fake miracles like Benny Hinn (or Benny Hill more like it), and he didn't beg for $65 million jets like Creflo Dollar.

He preached the gospel, fell hard, and didn't hide from it.

Most Christians saw his confession and remorse as genuine.

That makes him flawed, not fake.

Snoofy,

"Anyone who runs a mega church is a swindler."

So just to be clear, you're saying the Pope isn't a Christian, just a swindler?

American,

"Twice. He did it again after getting caught the first time."

I already knew that.

You think sinners don't backslide?

Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother? Seven?"

Jesus replied, "Seventy times seven."

(Hint...not literal..but meaning over and over)

If that's how many times He expects us to forgive each other, don't you think God forgives the same?

Snoofy,

"Huh? I was not aware the Pope runs a mega church."

Are you saying "mega church" only applies to flashy, Protestant, televangelist, style churches with rock bands?

Sounds like you're playing semantics now because your blanket statement backfired.

Either walk it back or double down. Just don't pretend it made any sense.

Snoofy,

"When are you going to forgive yourself for being gay?"

I'm fine with that.

Actually, I'm having a harder time with the years I thought I was liberal.

Donner,

I don't see you.

John,

"The Pope runs nothing. He is the frontman and shill for the College of Cardinals, a cabal if ever there was one!"

In many Protestant churches, pastors derive their authority from "congregational governance" meaning their position depends heavily on popularity with the congregation.

The Pope, on the other hand, derives his authority from the office itself. He holds supreme and universal power over the entire Roman Catholic Church in matters of doctrine, governance, and discipline, and serves as the final interpreter of Catholic faith and morals.

To say the Pope "runs nothing" isn't just inaccurate. It's absurd.

(And yes, wah wah wah...cue the inevitable deflection "But what about all the abusive priests and coverups?" Let's not derail the thread.

John,

A lot of people believe Christianity is about forcing the government to take money from working people and give it to those who've chosen a lifestyle of dependence.

But in one of Paul's New Testament letters to the church in Thessalonica, Paul addressed believers who were refusing to work and relying on others to support them.

Paul's words were clear. He wrote, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

That's not just a suggestion.

It's Christian teaching, written by Paul, who shaped much of the New Testament.

thessalonians not Thessalonica...---- spellchecker

I had it right in the first place.

Nevermind.