Marjoe Gortner

Post by **_GCS 98** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 8:44 am

This is a really interesting short documentary on an admitted fake preacher. It's really sad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zHqKI4X ... 0christian

Post by **_hollyplace** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 1:40 pm

Wow! What an eye-opener!

Post by **_AARONDISNEY** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 4:05 pm

Well, the devil has an imitation of just about anything the Lord is doing. THe Lord still heals and still pours His Spirit out on His people, but the devil still deceives, and can make himself look like the true thing to those that don't seek God's wisdom in who to follow.

That was just kind of weird when he was a little boy learning to be a deceiver though.

Post by **_SamIam** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:11 am

Is it possible that all of the travelling-holy-ghost-revival-salvation shows are scams?

Could it be that people who want to see an act of God are easily decieved by grifters and con men, and the con men know this?

Could it be that God has never made Himself known to people in the ways the revival (con)artists present Him?

Could it be that Christians are afraid to point this out for fear of being called unspiritual, or being accused of opposing God?

I do not trust anyone who passes a collection plate and also decides how the money is spent.

Post by **_GCS 98** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:25 pm

Could it be possible that these people had awesome faith that God worked through even though the preacher was a fake? These people truly believed they were going to be healed or blessed or whatever. Maybe God met them there regardless of Marjoe. I think it could be. I've only been to a pentacostal service like that one time and the evangelist tried to "slay me in the Spirit" but nothing happened.

Post by **_Steve** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:07 pm

Quote:

Is it possible that all of the travelling-holy-ghost-revival-salvation shows are scams?

Could it be that people who want to see an act of God are easily decieved by grifters and con men, and the con men know this?

Could it be that God has never made Himself known to people in the ways the revival (con)artists present Him?

Yes. All these things are possible, although there is certainly biblical precedent for itinerant preachers (like the apostles, and the Methodist circuit riders). These men did not put on performances like the Pentecostal tent revivalists often do, however. I would not wish to broad-brush the lot of them, but immorality and mishandling of money have been known to be very common in these Pentecostal "ministries."

I saw the full-length feature film of "Marjoe" when it was in theaters, in 1972. It was very disturbing, to say the least. Even though Marjoe says that he learned his stage moves by watching Mick Jagger (reminiscent of Captain Jack Sparrow being modeled after Keith Richards), Marjoe's behavior is the perfect stereotype of many Pentecostal stage antics.

When one watches Marjoe, it can't help but raise questions about various preachers popular in our day, and who may have influenced us or people we know. It is alarming! And that is what Marjoe had in mind in making the flick (he left the "ministry" after filming the movie, and went to hollywood aspiring to become a movie actor, but only got a few small parts in "B" movies—he probably made more bucks, and had more "babes" as a phoney preacher!).

In one way, Marjoe is a Godsend. His story puts us on our guard—especially with regard to certain stereotypes. Last I heard, several years ago, his crooked father (who left the family, running off with the offering of one of the meetings) was an associate pastor (along with a famous Christian author) at a charismatic church in Escondito, CA.

Why are there still enough gullible religious folk to support and keep these charlatains alive?

Post by **_AARONDISNEY** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:22 pm

I agree totally that there are way too many of these ministries. These are 80% of what we see on the television. Nothing but money hungry actors latching onto people that are thirsty for an experience with the Lord.

However, I, as a pentecostal man, know that the true power of God is still very much alive today, and I will not let these fakers blind me to the power of God to heal through prayer, and to minister to His people, as he does today.

I go to a church that is relatively small. Around 80 - 90 people show up on an average Sunday. A girl I know pretty well had broken her ankle a couple of years ago, and she went up for prayer with her crutches. After we laid hands on her and prayed that God would heal her quickly (thinking in terms of a few weeks) God surprised us by healing her broken bone immediately and she walked out of the church service without her crutches.

This was not a show. I am a friend of her's and know the people (including myself) that prayed for her and we were of course putting on no show. God was putting on a show. A show of His power and his compassion, and at a time that this particular girl needed this to recognise God's love for her (as she was sometimes subject to depression).

I just don't want these clowns like Marjoe and Benny Hinn to cloud the fact that God still heals miraculously.

Post by **_Christopher** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:32 pm

It sounded to me like Marjoe is the product of corrupt parents (at least partially). They put him up to this from the age of 4? I wonder how much of his corruption will be placed on them as well.

It makes me shudder to think of the judgment that comes with this....

"Would you like some concrete slippers to match your lovely new millstone necklace Mr. and Mrs. Gortner?"

Post by **_TK** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:18 pm

coming from a fairly conservative church background, i find it almost impossible to believe that there is so much lack of discernment out there. there are 10,000s of people at benny hinn crusades who would probably fall on their swords for him if asked to do so. when i see something like this, red flags start shooting up all over the place. people that get sucked into this sort of thing must not read their Bible at all. if they do, they must have an entirely warped view of what it actually says.

that being said, I agree with AaronDisney that God does work powerfully and unfortunately these types of charlatans give a black eye to true moves of God. after all, they are the ones in the spotlight.

further, i am much more open today to the more charismatic elements of the faith than i was a few years ago. steve's teaching has helped in this regard. however, i am still not so desparate as to fall for such nonsense. i guess i will have to be satisfied with being a conservative charismatic

TK