TELEVANGELISTS – Prophets for God or Profits for Themselves?

Today I’m going to blog about my sensational upcoming book, The Bastard Preacher. More accurately I’m going to write about what prompted me to write the book.

The Bastard Preacher and the scheduled sequel, The Ruthless Preacher is about a handsome, charismatic, but ruthless young man, named Jamie Lee Vincent. Jamie Lee attends a tent revival in his medium sized Texas Town and receives an epiphany. Unfortunately, his revelation, instead of being about God is about easy money and sex.

Before I start, let me say that my book is fiction. It is not based on any facts other than history has revealed certain famous television preachers to be less than they pretend to be. Or would it more correct to say they turn out to be more than they pretend to be. From Tony Alamo to Jimmy Swaggart, the list of disgraced preachers is long and disappointing. Some like Jimmy Bakker have even gone to jail. Others like Ted Haggard, are being kept under lock and key, while they undergo re-programming to remove homosexual tendencies. Is it any wonder why I am dubious about the sincerity of certain high profile television preachers and skeptical about televangelism in general?

Things I’ve Noticed

From luxurious lifestyles to self-promoting, I’ve noticed things about some television ministers through the years that turned me off about religion. Some so called men and women of God live so lavishly that Congress even initiated an investigation into the extravagant lifestyles of six Mega Church leaders in 2007. Whatever happened to the humble servant of God?

Family Values

Some of these high profile couples, who basically tell us how we should like our lives, can’t even keep their home life out of the papers. High profile religious couple Paula and Randy White of the Without Walls International Church, who were one of the above mentioned six, divorced a couple of years ago. And Prophetess Juanita Bynum declared herself the ‘face of domestic violence’ just before her high profile divorce from Pastor Thomas Weeks III.

God’s Love

Many of these purveyors of God’s love have trouble telling the difference between love and hate themselves. In my book, I used a quote from a famous television pastor as an epigraph at the beginning of each chapter. I will let some of these quotes make my point.

I believe that all of us are born heterosexual, physically created with a plumbing that’s heterosexual. Rev. Jerry Falwell

You say you’re supposed to be nice to the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians and the Methodists and this, that, and the other thing. Nonsense. I don’t have to be nice to the spirit of the Antichrist. Rev. Pat Robertson

AIDS is not just God’s punishment for homosexuals; it is God’s punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals. Rev. Jerry Falwell

If I do not return to the pulpit this weekend, millions of people will go to hell. Jimmy Swaggart

I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way — all of them who have tried to secularize America — I point the finger in their face and say, ‘You helped this (911) happen. Rev. Jerry Falwell

We have imagined ourselves invulnerable and have been consumed by the pursuit of…health, wealth, material pleasures and sexuality… It [terrorism] is happening because God Almighty is lifting his protection from us. Rev. Pat Robertson

I know me, and those close to me know me. But sadly, the outside world thinks I’m some kind of a crook. Rev. Benny Hinn

Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians. Rev. Pat Robertson

If I have stepped on anyone’s toes, I apologize. My intent was to talk and write, not about religion itself, but those people of religion, who use it as a tool to obtain wealth and power. People who set themselves up as role models, as pillars of society and give us hypocrisy.

Whether you agree or disagree, I’d like to hear your thoughts. And now a few words about The Bastard Preacher and an excerpt. I think this book is like nothing you’ve ever read.

buy link, The Bastard Preacher

Blurb

Some people do the right things but for the wrong reasons. The Bastard Preacher is such a person.

Smooth, handsome, and self serving, Jamie Lee Vincent decides there’s easy money in religion after attending a big tent revival in his home town of Tyler, Texas. Catching the interest of Reverend Sonny Riverton’s youngest daughter, the lovely and vivacious Missy, he charms his way into her bed and in short order the Riverton clan.

Utilizing his charm and natural-born talent for chicanery, Jamie Lee takes over the ministry, and when his popularity soars finds himself among the most revered of television preachers. However, the wealth, fame, sex and power he now enjoys isn’t enough-nothing is ever enough!

Excerpt

“Well, what’dya think?”

Jamie Lee came up behind her, put his free arm around her waist, and snuggled his head against her neck. “About what?” he whispered.

“Good golly, didn’t God give you eyes? Mmmm, you’re getting fresh, but it feels good.”

Jamie Lee looked around the corner. There sat a huge motor home, with Missy written on the side in large silver letters on a pink background. “Wow, that’s where you live?”

“Ah huh. But only when we tour.” She turned around and faced Jamie Lee. “Now, I can tell from the look in your eyes that you think you’re going to make love to me. I suppose a hunk like you is used to getting his way, but we need to get things straight between us and I don’t mean your penis. I can tell you are bad for me, but I can’t resist those sad brown eyes and that sideways smile. I still have a boyfriend, so we are not…I repeat, not going to make love. You got that straight?”

“I guess, but what are we going to do?”

“Well for starters I’m gonna save your ass and I’ll wager your tight little buns need a lot of saving. Am I right?”

Jamie Lee felt a flush of warmth course through him, but didn’t answer.

Missy unlocked the front door and stepped into the mammoth vehicle. Jamie Lee followed. “Wow! This is something else. What kind of motor home is it?”

“It’s called a Zephyr. Its forty feet long and costs more than the average house.”

“Man, this is luxurious. Do you drive it?”

“Heavens, no. Daddy has someone drive it for me.”

Missy took Jamie Lee’s hand again and dragged him to a built-in sofa. She sat down and pulled him down next to her. She tucked one leg under the other in such a way that she almost faced him.

He looked at her. “I’d like to be your driver.”

She twined her fingers on Jamie Lee’s shoulder. “Would you now?”

“You bet, and when I’m not driving I could help set up. Do you think your daddy would hire me?”

Missy leaned in closer. “He might, if I batted my lashes at him.” She closed her eyes, while moving her lips toward his. She sighed when their lips touched. She parted her lips slightly, inviting his tongue to join hers. He could feel her hands tensing on his shoulder when he slid his tongue through the small opening between her teeth and touched hers.

Slowly, she pulled away. “Mmm, that was nice. I’d better get you saved before you have another sin to excise. I have a feeling you’re a real bad boy, aren’t you?”

Jamie Lee laughed. “I never thought so. I just like to have fun and feel good.” He put his hand on her breast. “I’ll bet you could make me feel real good.”

She grabbed the offending hand and held it. “And I know you could make me feel good too, but alas, it’s not going to happen…tonight.”

Jamie Lee’s head tilted to the side and he looked at her expectantly. “Tomorrow?”

She lifted his hand to her lips and kissed it. “As much as I’d like too, I’m afraid not.”

He frowned. “When?”

She sighed. “Hon, I want you too. Really I do. I can almost feel your hardness inside me, but first I need a commitment and then I have the boyfriend to dispose of. He’s not someone to take lightly.”

A pinch of anger assaulted him. “Who is he?”

“Sweetie, you don’t need to know that. Now, let’s get those clothes off so I can save you.”

Jamie Lee’s brows furrowed as he imparted a sideways gaze. “Take my clothes off? What’re you talking about?”

She giggled. “I’m going to wash away your sins in holy water. Just like a baptism. And I might add, I’m looking forward to it.”

“But all the others just stuck their hands in a pail of water.”

“That’s because we’re on the road. Back home in Dallas we would have immersed them all in water. Course, unlike you, they’d have the option of wearing a bathing suit.” She stood and with two hands pulled him to his feet. “Let’s get you started.” She led him to the good-sized bedroom in the back of the bus. “Take all your clothes off.” She opened the door to the bathroom. “Then get in that tub. I’m going to make arrangements for some holy water to be brought here.”

Standing legs apart, she bent her elbows and rested her fists akimbo on her hips. “Well.”

“Well, what?”

She hitched her pretty chin at him. “Get started, baby.”

After flashing what was supposed to be a look of disgust, a smile replaced it. He unbuttoned and removed his shirt. “Always figured I’d make a good stripper.”

Mmm. You would make a good stripper. “Love those ripples in your tummy.”

“You gonna stay for the whole show?”

“No, Babe.” She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “I’ll see the whole show when I get back.”
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