Lesson 7: Compassion for the Religiously Abused
Early on I realized some people thought I could do no wrong because I was ordained. Of course, others disrespected me for the same reason. Still, I realized I could manipulate this first group if I wanted to.
Three of the gospels report Jesus had compassion on these because religious authorities in his day did take advantage of them. For instance, he warned in Mark 12 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers.”
These things were in the back of my mind when I studied televangelists back in the 1970s. I couldn’t help thinking almost every one of these guys was using religion to make money for themselves and that they were very good at it
I later had two experiences that confirmed my feelings. One of my elderly widows asked me to drop by because she felt guilty about not making contributions to Oral Roberts. She was a retired public school teacher who still led a Sunday School class. The death of her husband and the murder of her daughter had taken a toll she hoped she could handle somewhat by sending donations to television preachers. Over the years her gifts were more and more closely followed by requests for more. Now she felt guilty because she could no longer send money in the return mail. I of course began by telling her it was not immoral to cease her gifts, especially if it took food from her table which it was close to doing.
The second was a widower who came down with a terminal illness. Once when I delivered home Communion, I found him holding a knot of rope. He explained he was holding it because Richard Roberts had entered an agreement symbolized by both of them holding a knot and praying for his healing at 10 o’clock that morning. When I observed it was 2 in the afternoon, he said he wanted to make sure to be doing his part in case Richard got delayed by his busy schedule. When I questioned whether the evangelist was giving him such personal care he countered by showing me a computer-written letter that included his name and the amount he had donated. Knowing the situation pretty well I guessed it was almost all of his life savings.
I have no hesitation in believing Jesus would have compassion for those manipulated by televangelists and for that matter anyone using religion for their own gain. That includes priests sexually abusing children, politicians claiming to speak for God, and anyone else using their relgious position to take advantage of people.
Frontline Study is an online discussion of the scriptures, inviting you to share your comments and your reflections on each weekly topic. Simply click on the "Add Reply" text at the top of each post to see what others have posted and to add your thoughts.