Televangelism is the use of television to reach out to the Christian faith. A televangelist is a Christian minister who dedicates his or ministry to TV broadcasting. You probably have seen these programs when you channel surf on a Saturday afternoon.
Religious programs have been on TV since the earliest years (radio broadcasts set the trend), but now they claim to be reaching millions worldwide, and producing many converts to Christianity. Evangelicals have a long time tradition of mixing religion with entertainment, and now they have translated the “Gospel” into show business.
Televangelists have been a source for a good amount of controversy and scandal. Many argue that televangelism has caused religion to become a business rather than a set of beliefs and doctrine. Because it requires a lot of money to produce programs and purchase airtime, ministers ask viewers to purchase their CD’s, DVD’s, and trinkets. They also ask for donations to help support the shows. Some televangelists have a significant amount of personal wealth, and it is shown through their large homes and properties, expensive cars, and private jets. (To read more about the wealth of TV preachers: http://www.rickross.com/reference/meyer/meyer19.html). By many critics this lifestyle is contradictory to traditional, humble Christian thinking. This four minute Youtube clip shows the exposed “lavish lifestyle” of Televangelist Kenneth Copeland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Tx_EqVmzw
Televangelists argue these criticisms by saying they are doing God’s work, and preaching the gospel. Although they may be making more money than most, they are giving people hope and encouragement. Some people may have never received that hope and doctrine if it weren’t for the television shows. People are hesitant to attend church in person because they are afraid of new things and not being accepted. Although televangelism is impersonal and requires little physical effort, it allows people to include spirituality and enrichment in their lives. They are able to learn more about the “doctrine” and become more religious. In a sense, the semi-annual LDS broadcast of General Conference is similar to Televangelism. It is just a little less flashy and loud.
I pose a simple question: Do you think Televangelism is a good or bad thing? Why?
This post raised a couple of issues about Televangelism that I found very insightful.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the foundation of Christian theology is based on personal interactions. Whether it be through prayer, through helping a neighbor, or the bearing of testimony. Through Televangelism I feel that the preaching is too one-sided. There is no accountability or opportunity to share the ways you have been changed with others who are on the same path of religious change. True, someone could be sitting at a television and feel inspired to be a better person. For this reason alone, maybe Televangelism is worthwhile. However, the personal interaction is lost between the preacher and the saint. Change rarely takes place without a bond of trust. Because the people watching these programs do not know the preachers directly, not to mention have heard of their possible money scandals, these people will not likely change their habits. Maybe the preachers are not saying things that people don't want to hear. Maybe it's all fluff and nothing will stir feathers. Maybe it is just a quick way to remember to be kind to one's neighbor. I think everyone needs to be uplifted once in awhile, but if the motive is to make people change, to truly have this world be a better place, Televangelism misses the point. There is no accountability. No one will know if you watched the program or not. There is no foundation of belonging. The very essence of Christianity is the touch of Jesus Christ, the Master. He knows each of us on a personal basis, and we can come to him. We each need to feel a sense of belonging, but Televangelism is too impersonal to bring about any lasting change in religious nature.
I was also very intrigued by this post by Jenna. I think the idea of Televangelism merits discussion, so I've decided to add my two cents. I agree largely with Jill’s point of view as well; there is no replacement for attending a religious service in person. One of the most uplifting results of belonging to a religious group is the “fraternity,” or brotherhood that is felt when in the presence of others who share the same convictions. You can’t find that in front of a television. There isn’t anyone to share your feelings or experiences with, no one to lean on for support, and most importantly no way to put your religion into practice through Christian service. These are just a few reasons why regular attendance of religious services remains unparalleled.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, I agree that Televangelism does have a way of reaching out to many who may not otherwise practice any form of religion. I see no problem with that. In fact I feel like it can do a lot of good. However, I don’t think that this is grounds to REPLACE a weekly church service; rather I feel like it would be a great supplement viewers can use to keep their religion part of their daily lives. Then, once their day of worship rolls around, they make the effort to be in their meetinghouse in order to be edified not only by the speaker but by those around them as well. If these two faith-promoting means are used in conjunction with each other, I believe Televangelism could be a great tool for certain people.
I can honestly admit that I have a much harder time giving my full attention to what’s being said during General Conference than I do on a regular Sunday in my ward. However, I recognize the benefit/need for these meetings from time to time, and I enjoy them. But again, I don’t think it should become the sole means of worship. This should be an exceptional method to address the masses. There is something about being in the presence of the speaker and those who share in your beliefs that cannot be imitated.
Having family members who watch and follow televangelist preachers, I understand that the messages of hope, faith and love that are often shared on these broadcasts are inviting and uplifting. However, much like Jill and Kyle, I am puzzled at the lack of personal interaction and involvement on the part of the viewer. How can one worship but not actually participate or take part in some sort of give-and-take with his or her peers and/or spiritual leader?
ReplyDeleteThere is little sense of community among followers of Televangelism. Those who follow on television rarely meet up with other followers to share what they've learned or to discuss doctrine. Christ designed His church in a way that creates a sense of unity and a support system for its members. Without this sense of community or interaction, followers lack an outlet for service and friend-making. Lucy Mack Smith once said that we should "watch over one another and cherish one another, and gain instruction so that we might sit down in heaven together." When you have no one to cherish or serve because you don't know anyone else who worships as you do, how is this possible?
Furthermore, as a member of an incredibly interactive church, it blows my mind to think that people feel fulfilled by just watching or listening to a sermon and then getting on with the rest of their day. How do they process what they've learned? Don't they have questions?
Personally, I think that one of the best ways to learn is through discussion and dialogue. For example, when we pray to Heavenly Father, we don't just "put our prayer out there" and hope that He listens. We pray to our Heavenly Father with faith that He will answer us. Essentially, we are interacting with Heavenly Father when we pray. It is similar when we attend church meetings. We interact with our leaders and peers and gain knowledge by doing so. Having your religion be so solitary prevents you from not only learning through common experiences, but also by not having a dialogue to allow for questions, comments and concerns.
As we were discussing this blog post in class, I found the subject of Televangelism to be very interesting. Nevertheless, I don't think that Televangelism is necessarily a good thing. In fact, I think that it is a negative thing, and that viewers would be better off without it. The main reason being, is that if there wasn't Televangelism, maybe more people would go and participate in a church. One of the reasons that you list for why people may not feel comfortable with going to church is because they are afraid of not being accepted or something of that nature. If that is a reason why someone does not want to go to a religious institution, then they are going for the wrong reasons anyway. I cannot count how many times I have been offended or annoyed with someone of our faith, but that doesn't mean I became inactive. I go to church because I want to strengthen my relationship and learn more about my Heavenly Father. It has nothing to do with who else attends church, what they might think of me, or how I feel I am "accepted" by my religious peers. If people that are really interested in religion and learning more about God, then they will go to church no matter what. Also, I think Televangelism is giving people an excuse to stay home and get their "religion fix". People feel like they don't need to actively participate in a church because they can just sit and home and watch TV, and it will still "count". Televangelism is giving people an out. It makes it possible for people to still be somewhat involved in religion without actually having to do anything.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason that I am against Televangelism is because it is more of a business instead of a religion. The preachers that have their own TV shows are usually very rich. They drive nice cars, have nice houses, and are pretty flashy when it comes to showing how wealthy they are. They don't live modestly or donate most of their money to charities like one would think a highly self-sacrificing and religious figure would do. I don't know what these preachers intentions are, or what they really do with their money, but at first glance it seems like they are more interested in making money than saving souls.
First and foremost, i do not believe televangelism to be anything like the annual LDS General Conference except for the fact that both send to viewers a religious message via television. Within our Church these media sources are supplementary to our growth and education in the church. They are a resource for additional knowledge pertaining to the doctrine and beliefs of our church. They do not replace the sanctity of the sabbath during which we attend church with other members of our faith as a means of worship. This is from an LDS point of view, however; i do believe everyone's spirituality is a little different. Perhaps, people feel they can draw closer to god in the privacy of their own home with their family watching a preacher on TV. Or maybe someone draws from a well of spirituality that focuses on nature and the earth, or Buddha, or whatever. So i don't think the discussion should focus so much on criticizing the people who use televangelism as a source of hope and religious fulfillment.
ReplyDeleteI feel the discussion should focus on the televangelist preachers. From the links and videos in the post I feel the industry (yes, the industry) has lost sight of its original purpose perhaps. In the history of televangelism I'm sure the intent was finding a more efficient way of reaching large audiences to spread the Christianity. I feel if that had remained the focus these televised sermons might have focused on more on how to better help those watching. However, with the corruption and greed that has seeped into televangelism, preachers worry more about how to make a profit off of their audiences and not how they can provide them with joy and hope through the gospel.