An Outline of the Prosperity Gospel

I usually don't post on religious topics, but a local news item got me irritated about the prosperity gospel con artists who happen to infest our region.

There many good churches in Atlanta that are doing effective charity work with their money while fulfilling spiritual needs. And there are some other really bad ones. I feel so sorry for the people who get sucked into the prosperity gospel game. They will get bled dry. If you have a friend or relative who is associated, warn them to get out!

If you don't know anything about the prosperity gospel, here's an outline of how to follow it. It's not very complicated.

A. Use selective vision to ignore everything the Bible really says about wealth and poverty
B. Follow three-step plan:
     1. Give prosperity gospel preacher at least 10% of your income
     2. ??
     3. Achieve prosperity!
C. Use selective vision to ignore prosperity gospel preacher's luxury car and lavish lifestyle
D. (bonus step) Blame gays.

Here's the news item:

Eddie Long angling for MLK mantle?
August 8th, 2007 by Scott Henry in Hot Off The Press

Eddie Long, the self-proclaimed “bishop” of the 25,000-member New Birth Missionary Baptist megachurch in Lithonia, has the largest congregation in Georgia. He’s also got a $350,000 Bentley; a 20-acre, $1.4-million estate; and a heavenly bank balance.

But it appears he also wants to be the spiritual kingpin of metro Atlanta. Last year, he officiated at the funeral of Coretta Scott King and, just this week, the DeKalb County School System used his church as its official meeting hall for teachers — a controversial choice given Long’s long history of anti-gay sermonizing.

Now, Long, a proponent of the gospel of prosperity who puts his followers’ money where his mouth is, is gearing up for a blowout gala Aug. 17 to celebrate his 20 years at the helm of New Birth. We’re guessing the guest list of 1,200 for the black-tie affair at the Georgia World Congress Center doesn’t include many of the poor and needy types mentioned in the New Testament.

It does, however, include a roster of movers and shakers, most prominently Mayor Shirley Franklin and former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young. A highlight of the event will be a “special presentation” by MLK’s youngest daughter, Bernice King, purportedly on behalf of her late mother. It seems to us that Long is hoping to claim the spiritual mantle of the slain Civil Rights leader. Will Atlanta let him succeed?

Here's Bishop Bentley, looking rich and smug.


Here's the even more corrupt Creflo Dollar, who has TWO Rolls Royces plus a private jet.