bored`

3 May 09, 12:07

Belief in cure attracts crowds

Faith healer runs lucrative operation

RALEIGH -- Thousands of church services will take place in the Triangle today, but none is likely to match the religious -- and financial -- performance that has already come and gone in Raleigh.

Through two days of four-hour services last week, a racially diverse collection of believers crammed into Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium to receive the Holy Spirit, sing along with a rocked-out gospel band, and to maybe find a cure where doctors had failed.

They came to see the Rev. Benny Hinn, an international preacher and native of Israel who claims that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, sick people are supernaturally healed in his presence.

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Where he preaches, women cry. Men do, too. And the spirit knocks people to the floor when Pastor Benny waves his hand.

Hinn is one of the country's best-known faith healers, with a television ministry that claims viewership in more than 200 countries. Earlier this month, he preached in Taipei, Taiwan.

On Thursday night in Raleigh, a boisterous crowd nearly packed the 2,300 seats of Memorial Auditorium. After a Friday morning service that filled about two-thirds of the hall, Hinn returned that evening to preach his Pentecostal-steeped, tongue-speaking Christianity to a capacity crowd, with hundreds more watching on a big-screen in the room next door.

"Hallelujah!" he would shout.

And the crowd gave it right back to him.

Hinn preaches a version of the prosperity gospel, which holds that God wants his followers to have financial wealth. To become prosperous, one must give money to God, who returns it multiplied.

"The only way to get out of debt is to give to God's work," Hinn said during the Friday morning service. He then challenged his audience. "It doesn't take a whole lot of faith for $50."

Instead, he asked for $1,000. Those who wrote checks or filled out their credit card information for $1,000 donations (the form was on the outside of the envelopes distributed by the ushers) were asked to come to the stage. About 70 did, holding their envelopes in the air.

Hinn shouted his elation.

"Thank you, Jesus!"

Despite his success, Hinn is not universally loved. A Durham street preacher protested outside Thursday night's service, shouting "Benny Hinn is a false prophet!"

In an interview, the Rev. Stephen Davey of Cary's Colonial Baptist Church was just as direct. "The long and short of it, I think he's a con man."

Ministry tax-exempt

Hinn, 55, was born in Israel. As a teenager, his family emigrated to Canada, where he says he was called to serve God.

Benny Hinn Ministries is headquartered near Dallas, although Hinn lives in California, near the ministry's TV studio.

It takes money for an organization as big as Hinn's to travel the world, sponsor orphanages in Third World countries and produce "This is Your Day!," the ministry's hallmark television program.

Benny Hinn Ministries is a tax-exempt organization. It does not release specific financial reports, according to its Web site, because the ministry is "mindful of the fact that both corporate and ministry financial reports can be manipulated by unscrupulous people with unsavory agendas."

Hinn travels by private jet. Several years ago, an NBC television investigation estimated the ministry brings in $100 million annually. The envelopes passed out at his services feature a box that givers can check if they would like to pledge $10,000. Efforts to reach a ministry spokesman were unsuccessful.

Rock and riches

By pairing the prosperity doctrine with a rock-style praise band and a message of general positiveness, it is not surprising that Hinn draws such big crowds. At one point in Raleigh, the preacher asked the audience to show some love. "Why don't you just blow the Lord a kiss this morning?"

Hellfire and locusts, this is not.

When traveling, Hinn holds a couple of different styles of services. In Raleigh, he organized a "Fire Conference," a series of lengthy services designed to embolden the Holy Spirit in those who attend. On Thursday and Friday evenings, services that began around 7 p.m. didn't end until after 11 p.m.

In other cities, he organizes "Holy Spirit Miracle Crusades," designed specifically for people who want to be healed.

Miracles&Prophecies

4 May 09, 06:21

I don't know about Hinn. I don't want to accuse him yet I'm also cautious about him. I'm aware that success brings envy and envy breeds rumors and defamation. So I'm neutral I guess.

youyayu

4 May 09, 06:37

went to his service twice.

and i don't really like this guy.

i don't feel anything during his service. kinda give me the goosbump feeling both of the time i went there

Chin Eng

4 May 09, 08:32

super fraud!

Miracles&Prophecies

5 May 09, 14:58

Originally posted by youyayu:

went to his service twice.

and i don't really like this guy.

i don't feel anything during his service. kinda give me the goosbump feeling both of the time i went there

Never went to his service so can't tell.

Chin Eng

5 May 09, 15:26

false prophet.

http://www.apologeticsindex.org/h01.html

http://biblelight.net/tbn.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Hinn

dumbdumb!

5 May 09, 15:32

hmm, i think some of his messages benefited. I've only read "The Blood" though. but i've never been to his services.

I'll reserve my judgement until i see him bow down to an idol or something direct like that.

ok, back to sleep. working tonight =(

bored`

6 May 09, 03:45

Why does city harvest invite this guy to their conference knowing how controversial he is?

Even the new paper have also questioned their invitation of this guy.

Just do a simple google everyone can see that he is a fraud. US media and news have exposed him.

googoomuck

6 May 09, 20:02

Evander Holyfield is convinced of Benny Hinn's healing power.

davidche

10 May 09, 14:22

HAHA I know one methodist church which invited him to be speaker in youth church camp.

davidche

10 May 09, 14:25

And best of all, the youths inside are unaware of his controversy

bored`

15 May 09, 19:06

Benny hinn is the largest christian fraud and must be stopped!

googoomuck

15 May 09, 19:08

Who's stopping you?

Benny hinn. Fraud or the real deal?

Belief in cure attracts crowds

Faith healer runs lucrative operation