Ruth Gledhill, in the Times, records the sad news (at least to some gullible Christians) that Benny Hinn the 'name it and claim it' very wealthy 'health and wealth' television evangelist has been refused admission to the UK.
The problem is that since he came last year, and many years previously, the Home Office has changed the rules on visiting ministers of religion. He has fallen foul of tier five of the new points-based tier system for all visitors to Britain. It came into effect on 27 November 2008, but for him there was a turning back. No amount of prayers can get the UK Border Agency to change its mind when someone doesn't have the right papers. He or a member of his staff should have read these rules before sending his private jet over here at great expense, and encouraging thousands of UK Pentecostals to book expensive weekend breaks in London hotels, all to no avail.Check out the video of 'The Many Faces of Benny Hinn"The new rules form part of the biggest overhaul to British immigration in 40 years. A points system was introduced, with one intention of combating extremism and prevent preachers of hate coming in. Tier Five, however, which has caught Benny Hinn, was introduced to stop ministers coming in as visitors and then making a quick buck by speaking at events or 'working' while they are here.
Ministers of all faiths now need a letter of sponsorship if they are to do religious work in Britain, even when, as at Excel, the event is free.
Well, sort of free. Last night, one attendee told me, another pastor standing by took over and emotive pleas for donations of up to £1,000, along with the donors' names, addresses, phone numbers and all other details that would enable them to be contacted again. 'I felt it was very manipulative,' my source said.
And certainly, not everyone is grieving, according to A Daughter's Thoughts.
Slaughter of the Sheep is not impressed either.
His office have still not come back to me, so it was left to the Home Office themselves to confirm what was becoming clear to those left high and dry: he's returning back home on a wing and perhaps a prayer, unable to enter Britain.
God or no God, this is one miracle that isn't going to happen."
"For many years, the folks at the Trinity Foundation (publishers of The Door Magazine) have picked up the debris of wrecked lives of people who have been financially, emotionally, and spiritually abused by televangelists. Atop their list of abusers during the past decade has been faith healer Benny Hinn. This Dallas-based watchdog group has worked with news organizations to expose the corruption of various television ministers, including Hinn. Many of these investigative reports on Hinn — spearheaded by the Trinity Foundation — make up the bulk of this DVD set. They show Hinn at his worst, including his power-wielding control, opulent lifestyle, bogus healings, lies and deception, heretical theology, and much more. A single report should make anyone question the integrity of this man; viewing several hours of investigations should leave no doubt. The presentation also includes segments from Hinn’s broadcasts that have not been shown in news reports. These include his stage antics, absurd theological statements, and false prophecies."
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For more on Benny Hinn's wacky theology see the following articles:
The Confusing World of Benny Hinn
1: Introduction
2: The Roots of Toronto
3: The Phenomena Associated with Toronto
4: "Holy Laughter" and Rodney Howard-Browne
5: "The Roaring Lion" and Marc Dupont
6: "Spiritual Warfare" and David Yonggi Cho
7: How Should We Respond to Error?
8: Gamaliel - A Model of Godly Wisdom?
9: The Marks of the Cults
10: Conclusions
Appendix 1: Some Heresies of the "Faith Teachers"
Bibliography
