Joyce Meyer...ever hear of her?

[ikojo]

This past week the Post Dispatch has done a few stories on Joyce Meyer's ministries. She is from Fenton, MO, a suburb of St Louis, and she operates a "church" from there.

She is on TV a lot and preaches what is called the prosperity gospel. In the articles she comes across as someone who seems to be using religion to enrich herself and her family. When asked about criticism concerning her constant pitch for money, she claims those people are jealous of her wealth and are doing the work of the devil.

There was also an article about this guy who has given every penny he and his former wife had. He lives in a trailer and can barely afford day to day expenses, yet he felt compelled to give Joyce Meyer over $4K one year. He believed her when she said that whatever one sows then that is what one will reap. He thought that if he gave her money then it would be returned to him several times over.

Her headquarters are based in working class Jefferson County and because the property is classified as a church she pays no taxes on it. She is currently fighting the state who claims that it is really a business, selling Joyce Meyer Ministries. If the state wins, which appears unlikely, she will have to pony up approx. $600k per year in property taxes.

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. My next door neighbor lives and dies by her word.

:puke:

[Madrone]

2. Actually - I used to watch her occasionally -

and as someone who is decidedly non-christian I will say I enjoyed watching her and liked her far better than any other televangelist.

She was good to listen to - didn't seem so self-righteous.

Too bad that from the article you posted she's no better than the rest.

[flamingyouth]

3. Had a former neighbor at work who followed her every move

Then she lost her business and came storming into my store, saying that she had given thousands (!) of dollars to Ms. Meyer, and how could God let this happen to her?

I didn't even know what to say. It's just really sad that people think they can buy happiness by giving money to TV preachers (reminds me of that great Max Von Sydow scene in "Hannah & Her Sisters").

[rooboy]

4. She's on tv in Australia at about 4am every weekday.

Didn't mind watching her too much, but you never know who's on the level and who isn't.