Prosperity Preachers

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Michael Eric Dyson gives his own sermon on “prosperity preachers” and the notion that one’s financial blessings are directly tied to one’s church donations. http://www.tavistalks.com/TTcom/TSradio/ , click on link in left of screen or search archives for Friday, January 20, 2006 (hour two), Michael Eric Dyson.


Part of an interview in the February 2006 issue of Essence:

Susan Taylor: ...What are your thoughts about megachurches and about those ministers who amass tremendous personal wealth, contributed primarily by Black women, while the legions of poor Black people are growing?

Dr.Julia Hare: Black women have forgotten that the pastor is the employee. we need to say, "This is the direction in which we take the church. Are you coming with us?" We've given churches so much of our money, sometimes even mortgaging our homes, and we're handing over our checking-account numbers so money can be regularly deducted. On the street, men who treat women like that are called pimps. Well, some of these ministers are really ecclesiastical pimps. A megachurch has to do megawork for the congregation and the community. The Montgomery Bus Boycott is a model. Today, through boycotts and letter-writing campaigns, our congregations can stop the media from perpetuating Black stereotypes, put an end to the violent, degrading lyrics and images foisted on our young, even bring banks and corporations to their knees...

Related issue: Rev. Robert Schuller officially turns over the leadership of the Crystal Cathedral Ministry to his son. From member station KPCC in Los Angeles, Rachael Myrow reports on one of the founders of the modern "mega-church." http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5167450&sourceCode=RSS