A pastor and his wife may have more than just God to answer to in the coming months.
The Colorado couple is facing fraud charges in a cryptocurrency scheme that ended with allegations they stole $1.3 million from their followers.
The Colorado Securities Commission has accused pastor Eli Regalado and his wife Kaitlyn of intentionally defrauding investors by promoting a cryptocurrency to their Christian community – and promising investors that God would reward them financially if they purchased it.
“God Told Us To”
In a nine-minute video response on the coin’s website, the pastor mounts an interesting defense: God told him to.
Here's a synopsis of the highlights:
In response to the allegations that he and his wife pocketed over $1 million dollars, Regalado admits: “Those charges are true."
"Out of the $1.3 [million], half a million dollars went to the IRS,” he explains, “and a few hundred thousand dollars went to a home remodel the Lord told us to do."
“It was last October ‘21 that the Lord brought this cryptocurrency to me,” Regalado states in the video. Acknowledging the coin was already overvalued and an admitted “scam,” they nevertheless brought the coin to investors because God said to, promising them up to a 10x return on investment.
Regalado says that at every step of the way, God told him directly he was doing the right thing.
“I’m like, ‘where’s this liquidity gonna come from?’ and the Lord says ‘trust me’,” Regalado explained.
Next Level Prosperity Gospel
How did the scheme work, exactly? You might call it the new frontier of prosperity gospel.
Pastor Regalado and his wife marketed the cryptocurrency, INDXcoin, to Christians in the Denver area, and ended up raising nearly $3.2 million from 300 investors.
The Securities Commission says that the coin was only available to be bought and sold via the Kingdom Wealth Exchange, which was created, owned, and operated by the Regalados – an exchange which is now shut down.
God's Will, or Man's?
Pastor Regalado allegedly guaranteed his fellow Christians that the coin would provide a big return on investment – and told would-be investors that God himself promised as much.
“We allege that Mr. Regalado took advantage of the trust and faith of his own Christian community and that he peddled outlandish promises of wealth to them when he sold them essentially worthless cryptocurrencies,” stated Colorado Securities Commissioner Tung Chan.
As Chan explains: “they specifically went out to the Christian community, and there’s a lot of references to scripture and faith. He cloaks himself in that to get people to give their money to him."
“That’s really heartbreaking for the people who trusted him.”
What is your reaction?
81 comments
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Theresa C. Marquess
I seem to remember a Commandment that said, "Thou Shalt Not Steal." Whatever happened to that and the other nine Commandments???
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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Maybe he started his own crypto religion like that spaghetti dude?
God gave Moshe 613 commandments on Sinai. King Henry deleted 603 and only published the popular 10 in his book. Apparently the Christie church believes you can pick-and-choose, sort of like the honor system, so maybe this guy started the Church of Crypto and trimmed them down to 9. :)
Obviously legal in religion, just not in statute.
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Rev Mark D
The pastor was just intervening on behalf of his parishioners, he relieved them of the sin of mammon in order to save their souls.
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Lillian Sanchez
Wow, of all persons in the universe to lie about! God told him no such thing and he knows it.
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Lionheart
But your God works in mysterious ways, Lady Lillian. It might have been one of his very cunning plans. At least he didn't tell anyone to try drowning people, or to kill little children. Perhaps that's for another day. Who really knows what goes on in religious peoples heads. 🤭
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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I agree Brother. Isn't it powerful when someone can tell a congregation to drink the poisoned kool-aid, or to kill themselves and their children so they can ride to heaven on the comet, and people actually do it. It begs the question, how can someone be so desperate for leadership and fellowship that they would do something like that.
When I read some of the comments here, I asked myself, "What would I do if I heard a voice from God right now that told me to go kill someone?" What if I sincerely believed (even if it was a hallucination, etc) that it was actually God talking to me. Where does a Christie draw the line between, "obey God" and "yeah, that's BS"?
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As an attorney, I have to ask you to prove how you know what God told this guy (Illegal wiretap? LOL), and how you know what this guy knows. In 30 years, I've never seen a case where a witness was allowed to testify as to what a defendant "knew". As a judge would say, that is a function of the mind, and assumes you have the ability to read the guys mind, and so far as we know, that isn't currently possible with our current medical technology. Heck, I haven't been able to read a woman's mind and I've been trying for over 50 years now. :)
I recall another time when a fellow was told by God to sacrifice his son and the book tells us he actually took his son to the alter and tied him all up and was actually going to do it. My point is, yeah the guys a crook, but none of us can testify as to what God told him to do.
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Brien
As an attorney how do you prove the existence of a mythical being? How can you get in person testimony? I dont know the law as well as you, but the term scam artist seems to apply. An older term would be snake oil salesman. Thoughts?
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Nicholas J Page
Crypto currency means squat how can you spend it like cash anyway the good lord would never tell his people to pocket illegal/legal monies anyway so theyre committing fraud hope they get jail time and kicked out of their church and defrocked.
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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Whoa whoa whoa there Brother. A church commit fraud? How in 999,999,999,999,999,999,999, years would you ever think that could possibly happen? :)
99.999% of churches in America are tax-exempt money-laundering for-profit corporations, Sir.
I was advisor to one case many years ago where the missionary church was sending gross amounts of money to their "pastor" in South America to "further the Lords work with his missionary ministry". Come to find out, he was supporting his two wives and half a dozen children and enjoying like in Brazil on the beach at the sheeps expense. Yeah, they'd drop their dollars in the plate and the good pastor was buying shaved margaritas and crotchless panties for his "wives". He actually WON THAT CASE, as apparently the financial practices for missionary churches are different than the financial practices of a non-missionary church. In most cases a missionary church doesn't have to account for it's expenditures like a non-missionary church does.
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Daniel Gray
Ok now this is DISGUSTING and this is what gives Christians a bad image. They need to defrock this idiot and remove him from the Church, make him and all who helped him pay back the money and then BAN them from ever having anything to do with dealing with money for anyone. I dont know how they would do it but they really should find a way
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
I actually agree with something you said?!!!?!??? (Punctuation reflects my subsequent cognitive processes)
Wait, it isn’t just THIS that gives xtians a bad name. Lacking cognitive skills to the extent that they base their world view on Bronze Age superstitions tops the list, but this is one of the silly things that follows from that first huge misstep.
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Lionheart
They perhaps need to pray about it to see if they get a different message from the god they talk to. 🤭
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Merlin
A fool and his money are soon parted.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
This reminds me of a lawsuit filed some 20 years ago, by the sons of a millionaire in the San Francisco area, who left all of his money to the Roman Catholic Church— because the Church had promised him, that by so doing, he’d be guaranteed he’d spend eternity with Jesus in a glorious Christian heaven. The lawsuit demanded, that the Catholic Church be able to prove that the Christian Heaven actuality existed, and if it couldn’t, that’s fraud, so that their millionaire father’s will should be voided accordingly. Not surprisingly, the judge dismissed the case; as to why, I never could find out. Maybe one of my Christian Heaven believing fellow ULC ministers can do so, and maybe we’ll all find out.
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John Condron
Well. William Dusenberry, I don't know anything about that particular case, but I do know a bit about probate law The issue that you say was raised was just flat silly. The only questions in a case like this are "Was the decedent legally competent when he made his will," and "is the will clear about his intentions for his money."
It has nothing to do with whether someone is "christian heaven believing" or not. It is a really simple legal question. The judge would have dismissed the case because it was ridiculous.
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Rev. Rory
In my area there is a mansion with cats. A valid will was used to maintain the residence for the late owner's cats and that is what is happening. You are right. It's a legal question.
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ServantOfJudgement
Just guessing William, the judge got floated some bucks. It's a good guess but still a guess.
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Daniel Gray
Maybe this might help. As long as the kids were left something, even if it is just a $1.00 bill, then almost every state in the Union will refuse any form of objecting to the will. The most likely reason is that the sons screwed the pooch when they demanded that it be proved that Heaven exists, just like state Sen. Ernie Chambers (Nebraska) had his case thrown out based on a simple legal action that the "person" being sued must be able to be available to receive a summons so how would the sons or the Church be able to prove this? As such it was thrown out based on it being classified as a "frivolous" lawsuit as the sons knew before they filed the objection that this could not be done because all of this was based on faith just like all religions are.
Now the church was in the wrong in using this tactic to get the money and the priest who did this needs to be disciplined and harshly. BUT in saying that the sons also have to understand that in doing this objection and phrasing it this way they are clearly showing they are more interested in the money then they are the fathers last wishes no matter what it was. Just like when a millionaire leaves their fortune to their pet(s) The family may not like it but its their money to do with as they please, none of it belongs to the other family members.
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Colleen McAllister
Danile Gray that fiction about leaving the single dollar is not true. That stops nobody from protesting a will.
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Colleen McAllister
Comment removed by user.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Ahhh, finally god has a limitation. He/she/it sucks at investments. As Dirty Harry said… ‘A man has got to know his limitations.’
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ServantOfJudgement
Don't call the game yet Dr Z. God's put a decent chunk of his portfolio into Man. At least in this cosmos anyhow. He might be on to something if we notice how much governments, corporations and religions want to own us.
They give us descriptors like Human Capital, Human Resource, Bargaining Unit, Tax Payer and in the case of this fast talking swindler, Cash Cow. That dirty dog and his lamprey wife cut the udder off to get the milk.
If God told them to do it, I've got 5 bucks that says he wanted them in jail for some one on one time.-
Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
So now Mr. Magic punishes a sinner by COMMANDING the sinner to do something that will cause harm to others, then give him up to earthly authorities to punish him for his transgressions? So Mr. Magic is setting up a sting operation? But even the earthly cops avoid hurting innocent bystanders with their sting operations.
You’re pushing it here.
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ServantOfJudgement
Lol, fair enough
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David George Promis
Is anyone shocked by this revelation? A lot of religious organizations and “leaders” work people to get financed. PRAY 🙏 HARD AND SEND MONEY NOW FOR MULTIPLE BLESSINGS!
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I believe the proper term is "seed money".
The guy on the TV in the $3,000 suit says if I send him a thousand dollars it'll be "seed money" and the Lord will give me back a whole lot more. Didn't you see the testimony from the guy who sent TV preacher in the $3,000 suit $1,000 seed money, then his car broke down the next week, and while he was walking to work (10 miles in the Arizona heat, barefooted) a guy in a Rolls Royce pulled up alongside him and gave him $100,000?
If the preacher in the $3,000 suit says it's so, then it must be.
:)
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Russel A. Kester
It seems to me that these people placed more trust in a man than they did in God.
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The root of the problem today is, that happens not only in religion.
People will freely put their trust in a politician, in their 401K, in their boss, in their family, but when they're asked to put their trust in God, they'll argue with you.
Especially Americans. Americans are the most gullible suckers on the planet.
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Rev. Michael Gerraghty II
And they're trying to convince the rest of the world that the earth is flat also! LOL
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Father Frederick
If I had a dollar for every time Jesus or God's name was used as justification for money, we would not need an offering. Example: "God wants us to give money to _____." Back in the 1974 I worked for a religious broadcaster, who dressed like Boss Hogg, had a white Lincoln Continental and a thirst for cash. His catch phrase was "God would want you to give me money so I can invest it in the community." Many of the staff moved on, having witnessed the fraud. Sadly, by 1976 he was convicted for fraud and tax evasion. All the stations were sold to other televangelists.
The bigger issue is that one of these charlatans cast doubt on those of us who use funds donated for the betterment of the community and people. Each time one of these cases surfaces, you can generally see legitimate funds wither, because people are now doubting their giving.
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Sadly the vast majority of them go unchallenged. The "bad preachers" we see on the news are the tip of the iceberg. This is why I believe 501(c)(3) should be done away with for churches. Jesus said pay Caesar, not claim 501(c)(3).
There's a guy here on the waterfront where I live on the coast. He lives on his yacht docked on the waterfront in a slip his "church" pays for, runs his "church ministry" from his yacht that his church bought him and maintains for him, has shore power that provides electricity for his yacht that the church pays for. He talks on his satellite phone the church pays for while he's sailing the Caribbean "doing the Lord's work". He'll be gone for a month at the time sailing around to Cuba and Bahamas and the USVI. then he'll come back for a month or so all tanned brown and telling me about all his adventures and how hot the Caribbean women are. All at the expense of "the church". Dude hasn't supported himself in 20 years and lives like royalty. Maybe the congregations feels they get their moneys worth. Hell, if I lived an a yacht and sailed the Caribbean and playboyed 7 days a week I'd have to pay for it myself! I do good to pay my $30 per month cell phone. No way I could afford a 95 cent-per-minute satellite phone. It makes a big difference in your lifestyle when the sheep pay all your bills for you.
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Alexander Arends
This poor ULC pastor is confusing the devil with God. He should at least admit "the devil made me do it"!
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Yeah he doesn't have to admit it. He typed his name in the textbox like everyone else and clicked the "ordain me" button and was a "revrun" in 5 milliseconds.
That's one of the reasons I had to move away from ULC and get ordained thru a credible organization that actually requires some study VS the "one click instant ordination" method.
I found when others learned I was a ULC minister and did a google, the can of worms exploded. All the ULC scams, lawsuits, IRS issues, etc that are so easy to read about on the Internet harmed my reputation. Mr. Hensley and the other could get away with it decades ago, then the Internet came along. I took Mr. Hensleys "Masters degree in Religion" course 20 years ago. It amounted to a receiving brochure in the mail, I answered a few "open book test questions" that were easily found in the brochure, mailed it back in with a fee (I forgot what the fee was, maybe $49 or so), and Viola I was a MBA in religion. Not as fast as a 0.0003 second "onlilne ordination" but as fast as the post office could deliver the mail. LOL
I found some of Mr. Hensleys claims weird theories, but I picked the answer they wanted in the 10 question multiple-choice "exam". No Mr. Hensley, I do not believe Eve had sex with the snake in the Evan, but that's the answer you wanted to see checked on your "exam".
When you're in the same gang as the "spaghetti god revrun" who wears a collander on his head and worships pasta, it sort of hurts your image I'm sorry to say.
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Rev Mark D
I spoke to God just the other day, and he told me the reverend is a crook who needs to be punished by the civil fraud authorities.
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Rolando Couce
AS LONG AS THERE ARE DUMB AND STUPID PEOPLE ARE IN THIS COUNTRY CORRUPT PASTORS WILL BE RICH
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Kevin Oconnell
With all the fraud going on now a days, there no way I can believe that the congregation didn't realize this crap. They were looking for a quick get rich scheme also
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ServantOfJudgement
Kevin,
I think you're into something. Those that bought into this were looking for a bump in the wallet. Great observation
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Susan Colmenares
I once attended a church where the ministers expounded the gospel of “gimme” in English and Spanish. It was so sad because it was obvious that the congregation could ill afford the multiple collections.
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Keith Lawrence Dimond
I am forever stunned at the people who will tell you that a Tarot deck or Ouija board could bring spiritual parasites (and it is possible, of course), but who will then turn around and listen to a minister who ... how do we know who S/HE is talking to? How do we know it isn't a blaspheming spirit or even the minister's own shadow--or just the minister looking out for him-/herself?
With a Tarot deck and with yourself, there are ways of purity, and of cleansing. Your personal clarity will help discern if a 'spiritual leader' is polluted (you can't exactly dip that leader in salt or even a salt-bath and make it work).But self-leadership--through direct consciousness of/with the Divine is the task of each, really. And to me, the role of a 'spiritual leader' is to help you activate that for yourself, within yourself. Yes, and to conduct certain ceremonial magics or rituals, which is what they are if we're honest--marriage, funerals, baptisms and so on.
This is a sad story. Be careful who you listen to, whether on this plane or the Astral. The Astral ("inner") world is not a place of purity, but it's a place where you can have an experience that is just some parasite, not a deity or Divinity, but you will think it is, if you haven't done the work to have discernment. And few have. Yet you have to dabble, hopefully wisely and with toe-dips and partial immersion and then swimming around in it to build the knowledge. Always expanding your discernment!
To go biblical, Deuteronomy hacks even the prophet if he speaks for God without direct orders from God to do so. This is blasphemy, the name of God in vain. In Matthew, 7:21-23, we see a confirmation of that attitude: doing even great works, even in the name of God, doesn't count for much if you aren't connected at the Heart with God, the Divine.
I decline to judge this situation. Thankfully! But it does serve as a wonderful practical lesson in consciousness, gnosis.
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Timothy C Stone
Very nicely said, Thank you Keith
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John Condron
So this clown isn't in trouble because he, like most every "holy man" out there, fleeced his congregation by selling them something he clearly couldn't deliver. No... if that were the case, almost every minister in the country would be in handcuffs.
He's only in trouble because he stepped outside of the normal channels for fleecing believers. By selling them "salvation" from their own "savior."
A cautionary tale for "holy men" everywhere!
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Russel A. Kester
John, I don't think that all men who seek to live a holy life and encourage others to do so as well are fleecing people. There are some bad apples in the bunch to be sure. But there are also very many good men in the clergy. In fact, I believe most of the people who go into the work of ministry are good people.
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Paul
So if we believe this pastor, God is a cryptocurrency scam merchant. If any god did this to me then I think my faith would be severely eroded. But it's ok because God told them to take out $1.3 million for their own enrichment. Is God told me to do it a legitimate legal defence in Colorado? If so I think I'll start looking for a house.
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Dennis Chevalier
You have a public duty representing God in a church to the local permissioners. To follow by example, the teachings of Jesus Christ. When you break that faith which you did. There's a heavy penalty to pay not only here on Earth but when judgment comes. I will pray for your soul
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Lionheart
Awe....bless you. Please get well! 🤗
🦁♥️
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Yeah, you pray for both of us, I’ll think for both of us.
I’ve NEVER lost money on investments. Send me your money.
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Brien
You may as well pray for the three of us. Wait....what's that? Your flock should send me money? Well, there you have it. Your god told me to let the flock know to send me money. And I get to keep it. Peace ✌
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John Robert Milner
As to saying God said take the money, Balogna
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Danny D. Maynard
Exactly. What does an omnipotent and omniscient supernatural being need with money?
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Brien
A criminal can call themselves anything they like. They can say anything they like. It is up to the court to serve judgement.
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Lionheart
Of course that's what God told them to do. Those who scorn this edict from God are more than happy to still talk to it to get their own personal messages, because the god they talk to is the real one (in their heads) and definitely wouldn't lead them astray. They are so convinced their replies are real that some will even say they hear an "audible sound" from it speaking directly to them, and there is no way they will ever think differently.
It's actually very sad, because those that say they get messages from their God will even try to get others to be as mentally unhealthy as themselves by telling us we are the ones that are mentally unhealthy and will be damned to an everlasting burning Hell if we don't starting listening to those prompting voices in our own heads. And they will say the same things to little children. It really doesn't get much sicker than this, does it? 🤷🏼
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Brien
To me, after reading the comments on this topic it is watching one lie telling another lie that it is wrong. If you're coming at this from the standpoint of the mythical book telling this person quoting fiction from this mythical belief that they're wrong, then you are far worse than this person. This person is a conman, a snake oil salesman, a liar, a thief. But the way some of you refer to him you're justifying what he said. I know this is very confusing for you, it happens anytime I try to make sense out of senseless. Peace ✌
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Timothey Lee Weaver
As long as there's money to be stolen by despicable people and people dressed up as sheep in wolfs clothing there's going to always be these kind of loser's out there stealing from gods people and getting away with it and it's disgusting and shameful and the just dont care about anything about god his people only what they can get their grubby hooves on
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Leigh Anne Petersen
A lot of pastors take in money and promise health, prosperity or salvation in return. Very little of the "tithing" paid in actualky goes to help the poor in the community.
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Matthew Mastrogiovanni
Hrmmm ... the Church was based in Italy, just like the Mafia was & the church is becoming more and more like organized crime. There needs to be a task force to stamp out the Christian church, like they did the Mafia.
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Russel A. Kester
Matthew, that seems a tad bit dramatic.
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Rev Mark D
He forgot to do his tithe to the SEC.
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Bridget Kielas-Fecyk
And yet, there's ALL these yahoos out there that support these ultra-wealthy pastors and AGREE with them that the pastors deserve to use the churches to make millions.
It seems they've ALL forgotten the story about Jesus whipping the money men out of the church, overturning the tables, and screaming "How dare you turn my father's house into a mere money-making business!"
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John Alex Paxson
Anyone using God to initiate fraud, and is found guilty, should be surgically blinded.
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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Don't you watch the news anymore, Sir? We no longer punish criminals in this country. We collect court costs and fines so the government can create revenue, and we tell them to behave and release them back into the public if they promise to be good from now on.
While what the gentleman did was wrong, I really can't blame him. It's only good business to make a billion free dollars. Corporations in America do it every day. Some, like the church here in town, own rental properties and make real estate investments "in the ministry" and in effect run a real estate investment company, all tax free under 501(c)(3).
Now if I opened a real estate investment company and left the Jesus part out, I'd have to pay property tax, sales tax, income tax, and business license tax. As long as you add "church" to the end of the corporate filing and say "praise the Lord" and "Amen Brother" after every few sentences, its legit.
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Man of God
Several facts that our God reveals to mankind in his teachings. He says I Am Holy, you must be Holy. Our God teaches us that there are many Gods, they want us. Our God is aht creator of all things. Our God is three entities in one. First, they are male and female. They call themselves The Father(creator), The Son(obedient), The Holy Spirit(doer). When our God decided that he should be know to his creation(man). Our God choose a man from the city of Ur (today southern Iraq). Our God made a covenant with the man, that through obedence Abramham's seed would grow in numbers and teach the world of man about God and be an examble for Holy living. (As of now they fail, and that positon is tranfered to the Son's followers.) The Son teaches us that we only need to follow the Commanments, decrees, ordinaces of his Father, along with a new Commanment: To Love one another, and do unto others what we want to be done unto to us. God does not make money. That is man's gimmick, taught to him by the evil one. Perfect example: the North American Native tribes never had money, or used money to develope commerence. This comment is really big. Our God only spoke to man(whom he made a companion for and the man calls her woman). Our God only taught people of Color - people that the light of the Sun does not burn. No where in his teachings, nor his Son's teachings that Our God directly spoke to people of darkness. Those that the light of the Sun would burn.
Anyman who claims that our God would teach him anything about money is a liar. Jesus said upon leaving this Earth, that he would only return when his Father orders him too, and that it is done, we will not be hearding from him until them.
Our God left us with our free will and the teachings on how to live and to have a good life. NOTHING ELSE, all else are lies taught to man by the evil one. Never forget that all Children are born innocence. They have no evil in them, they are open for the teachings that they receive.
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Lionheart
Thank you for telling us what you like to believe about your God.
Does anyone else here have any thoughts about your particular God that you like to believe is real? Anyone?
🦁♥️
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
For some reason this rant by MoG reads like one of the Unabomber’s rambling compositions.
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Stacey Owens
He's not a criminal, that pastor was just evil. The reason, his thoughts was premeditated. As it is written , when evil (sin) is conceived it brings forth death. He imagined it in his thoughts, causing believers to believe in his imagination. They believed that it was the will of God. If anything, they choose to believe in evil. The image they serve, and that gives them salvation, is money. If they had rightly divided the word of truth, they world have known that the pastor was not in his right mind. He was the spirit of error.
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Barry Lee Lopatic
I'm not talking about the crypto crook, the church above who takes up freewill offerings. That crypto crook IS a criminal, under colorado's Securitiies laws.
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Stacey Owens
The scriptures say, lean not to your own understanding. It also says, take no thought for you life. In other words, we must not be carnally mind, because to be carnally mind is walking in error or death. In your Bible it says, to be spiritually mind is life and peace. Everything we do is walking in the spirit. Whether it is good or evil. This is what we do from within ourselves. It is how God judges mankind. He compares us to Himself. It is said, we are created in His image. I'm speaking on the spirit of man. The spirit that you talk to in your minds. I mean when you pray in secret. People don't realize you pray who you choose who you wish to listen too. It all depends on your relationship. If your relationship is with the God of the spirit of life, you will be guide by. If relationship is with the spirit of God, you will be led by His spirit. If your led by what you see day to day, you will be led by those things, which cause you to imagine what you think is right or wrong. It will have nothing to do with the spirit of life. It will have everything to do with only you. Your just saving your own life. But, in the spirit, you lose your life for the sake of God. Or, for the sake of Christ who is the spirit of God who dwell within you, or, if He be in you.
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Robert Rohr
Why has Colorado, for awhile now, been attracting these types?
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Steven Ferrell
People were foolish to invest in cryptocurrency to start with.
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Jane Smith
Can you still buy this?!?
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Tammy Lynn Breeden
One thing I only believe have of what this writer has written. Because he wants his article to catch your eye, and if he gets you to write something negative on it then he we got you.
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Timothy C Stone
Whenever I hear these charlatans say 'God told me' I wonder if they are hearing voices or if there is some other way God communicates with them. There is the creep that says God told him to buy a FOURTH private jet. There are several 'pastors' that have private jets. Or the so called preacher of prosperity that lives in a 17,000 sq ft mansion. I guess he preaches that if you can hoodwink thousands of suckers you too can be a multimillionaire. "These people must be stopped, because they are upsetting whole families by teaching things they should not teach, which they do to get rich by cheating people." Titus 1:11 There are so many of these criminals out there.
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Pastor Jody S.
Not all of the voices in his head are coming from God...
That's 1 reason I don't go to church. I was brought up where they wanted you to pledge so much of your income to the church. My dad said he never knew from paycheck to paycheck was his check was going to be, because he was a breadsalesman. And another subject is when my mom had my brother 70 some years ago she was brought up catholic and my brother was stillborn the priest came in and told her she has to take communion, she said no I just lost my baby. The priest told her that she is now considered no longer a catholic
After multiple experiences similar to yours, I understand your decision.
Thank you
Sounds like you grew up in a church like the one up the road, Brother. When you join their church you have to provide a tax return so they can send you a bill for the "proper amount" of 10% "for the Lord".
Apparently "the Lord" sends it back to the pastor so he can wear the $800 suits and $1,000 shoes and keep his office with a hot tub and marble tile maintained.
I hate to say it, but I got such pleasure several years ago when I read in the news where the "revrun" was arrested offshore on his yacht when the Coast Guard did a safety inspection and found cocaine on "the Lords yacht".
I have to day it, it sure must suck when you're shearing the flock and living like Rockerfeller wearing your Rolex, all tax-exempt and without doing an hours work all day and you screw that sweet deal up with dope.
I believe 501(c)(3) should be done away with for "churches" because 90% of the churches today aren't doing the work of the Lord, they're running a for-profit money laundering corporation and using 501(c)(3) to circumvent taxation. And that was not the intent of 501(c)(3).
Yep. Exactly
Don’t judge all churches by the one you are talking about. Not all churches do that. My wife and I attend a church where they never take an offering. Once a quarter they share with the entire congregation what expenses the church has like heat, lights, repairs the building may need like it had to replace the furnace and then just ask people's to give what God places on their heart to give. They never bring up money any other time but at the quarterly update.
I know this was meant to impress, but it does not. People are simply paying to make their religious clubhouse comfortable. I would be more impressed by what percent actually went to feed, hpuse and heal the needy.
Exactly
The first act of kindness a church exhibits is to care for their flock, then reach out to the world around it. That so-called clubhouse is someone/everyone there's sanctuary from the world. So, you can't fault them for keeping the heat on or fixing a hole in the roof.