False Prophet
Every then and again, while flipping TV channels, I get to see and listen to a very popular and gifted Christian preacher who shall remain nameless.
I have nothing against the preacher. As a speaker, he is excellent. As a businessman, he’s a genius. I take issue with the Christian inspiration he’s promoting so successfully. (To name some examples: “God” is working for you. All your dreams will come true, if you only wait long enough.) His inspiring sermons disseminate false promises which the followers accept as the truth. Consequently, the uplifting messages are not only lies, but destructive as well. They discourage people from taking action on their own behalf and cause them to doubt their own abilities.
Businesswise, the Christian preacher’s inspiration is right on: passive people are easy to manipulate and exploit. Ethically, it’s not. The comfort this preacher provides is deceitful. It serves HIM well. His false promises are disabling and damaging to his followers. (As a pastor myself, I know that I may not be able to help – or provide hope to – everyone. But I’d walk an extra mile not to do harm.)
The celebrity preacher built a successful business. The question is whether he has done – or is doing – anything of ACTUAL benefit to his huge flock. From where I’m standing, he is just another false prophet using a church as a storefront. (If he was in any other type of business he would be charged with – prosecuted and convicted for – fraud.)
Sure, had I promised you that you’ll win the lottery and all your problems will disappear right there and then, it would lift you up. But there’d be at least two types of consequences coming your way, should you believe me:
1/ you’ll be wasting time and money in anticipation of the big win
2/ you’ll neglect your obligations, ignore opportunities and won’t even try to pursue solutions to your problems
False hope is worse than no hope, at all!
Your hope, your success, your happiness is in YOUR hands. (No one – including “God” – will make things happen for you. Mastering your life is YOUR job!) ANYONE who tells you differently – including the brilliant preacher! – stands to benefit from your passivity and eventually, failure.
The preacher’s excellent performance and comforting message notwithstanding, “all that glitters is not gold”.
We have a long history of creating and worshiping “Gods”, false idols and golden calves. Similarly, we follow false prophets and dangerous leaders whenever we feel vulnerable, doubt ourselves or are too complacent to think for ourselves.
Don’t rely for hope on scammers. Develop your own power and trust yourself!
Photo by Sylvain Brison on Unsplash
