The Uproar Among Television Preachers

Some TV evangelists may have finally given themselves enough rope to hang themselves in the eyes of many of their followers.

In our proper desire to protect freedom of religion, it is impossible to draw a clear line between honest religious institutions, and self-serving, financially enriching, hucksterism.

With the advent of mass media, the spellbinders have expanded their ministry from a tent on the outskirts of town to a vast international network, and persuasive techniques have been expanded accordingly. Elmer Gantry has come up in the world.

When an abuse becomes institutionalized, it is only a matter of time for expanding corruption to become widely recognized. The only antidote to enriching false prophets is to recognize them.

No matter what belief a person chooses to have, he should look with a cynical eye at anyone who leads a personal life of luxury, while asking people of modest means to scrape together monthly contributions. Perhaps the central question should be, “What would Jesus Christ think if he could be here to see his teachings peddled for profit?”

HARRY MASS

Tarzana