Pastor Ben Gibert of the Detroit World Outreach Church in Redford Michigan spoke those words. Remember them well.
When I read that sentence, “God surrounds the faithful with beautiful things”, it got me thinking. What exactly are those beautiful things anyways? Was Pastor Gibert referring to your loved-ones? Possibly. Or maybe he was talking about the beauty of nature. Ok maybe not. Maybe these beautiful things refer to the people, places, and things you see everyday and under the light of God they appear beautiful.
I had you going there for a second didn’t I? This is a Christian mega-chuch pastor we’re dealing with so money is God and God is money. The most beautiful thing to Pastor Ben Gibert is his crazy pimped out 11,000-square-foot $3.65 million dollar mansion. Oh what’s that parked in the driveway? Ah it’s just a $50,000 Cadillac Escalade provided by the church. What’s even more beautiful is that the church conveniently purchased it for him thus making it tax exempt. Oh praise be to Jesus! Now those are some beautiful things damnit!
While most of the residents weren’t too concerned with the Pastor’s opulent lifestyle, one individual offered their wisdom:
“They could buy a very, very nice home out here for half a million,” she said. “Can you imagine how many miracles you could perform, how many people you could help with the $3 million left over?”
Original story here.
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Simon,
A fair question, and I am at a loss as to what would cause my faith to falter. I could tell you that it did once back in the eighties, (I have been serving God for 26 years). I was accused of a crime I did not commit, and I really wanted to die. Nothing can compare to this evil justice system once they get thier claws in you. The statement “innocent until proven guilty” is a lie. It is a long story but I can tell you that God supernaturally touched me in a jail cell, saved my life and freed me from the clutches of the dishonest legal system. The story in it’s entirety is amazing.
Since then I have witnessed countless occasions when the word of God has come to pass, and innummerable events that witnessed the Holy Spirit in me. I must concur with the bible when it says that nothing can seperate me from the love of God which is in Christ jesus. Do not mistake me for a Christian, who live for themselves, and thier churches. They promote a false god not the God of the bible. They worship thier idols like thier pastors, televangelists, music artists, Dr. Dobson, and on and on. They do not worship Jehovah God, so there will be many who will easily fall away for numerous reasons. But as for me, I have been sealed and now I say to live is Christ, and to die is gain. And to Hell with Religion!
Simon Bond Says:
November 13th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Howdy all,
RRock, just on the topic of your last post I wish to ask you a question. I know of several things or events that could convince me that God is real. Is there anything at all that would convince you (before your death) that your current beliefs are wrong? If there is what are they and why and if not some reasons on why anything would fail to convince you?
Cheers
Simon Bond
“LOL irish. A new mirror is what you need!”
translation: “I’m rubber, your glue”
Irish, you better change your screenname to irishlightshower as there is absolutely nothing THUNDEROUS about you. It truly is sad to watch you embarass yourself on this forum.
irishthunder Says:
November 14th, 2007 at 12:07 am
“LOL irish. A new mirror is what you need!â€
translation: “I’m rubber, your glueâ€
“Irish, you better change your screenname to irishlightshower as there is absolutely nothing THUNDEROUS about you. It truly is sad to watch you embarass yourself on this forum.”
translation: “nanny nanny, boo boo, stick you head in doo doo”
You poor pathetic godless nothing. What a sad existence
irishthunder Says:
November 14th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
“Irish, you better change your screenname to irishlightshower as there is absolutely nothing THUNDEROUS about you. It truly is sad to watch you embarass yourself on this forum.â€
translation: “nanny nanny, boo boo, stick you head in doo dooâ€
it always ends with a personal attack. how predictable…
Who? All your athiest cohorts boris? Or are you also bling to that truth as well?
boris Says:
November 15th, 2007 at 2:30 am
it always ends with a personal attack. how predictable…
Wow I have been reading the various posts and opinions and ‘wow’ again. It is fascinating how many of you have no hope at all. The Christian, Moslem, Jew, and Buddhist at least believe in something and trust me I know who is what and even who is trying to justify certain lifestyle choice.
Is it not in the nature of humanity to be hypocritical?
Churches need money to run. Does anyone here not have to pay for food or utilities? How many work? Out of those who work, work for free? So shouldn’t full time work have full time pay?
How many want better schools and police to do their jobs but how many cheat on their taxes or don’t vote because ‘it dont make a difference’ .
How many hate Christian dislike of homosexuality but don’t make the same comments after Iran’s execution of 4000 homosexuals?
The bottom line is personal. How much better is your life with no God (that’s capital G) in it?
If you’re perfectly happy then go ahead. If you’re not then maybe you might want to see if their is something else.
Then enlighten us, oh wise one. Tell us who is what and why! Please, share your just some of that vast knowledge so that we may separate the sinners from the non-sinners and tell us how to deal with them…
No, I don’t trust you, just as I distrust anyone who makes such sweeping statements about a group of people they never even met.
And it’s pastor needs a $3.5 million mansion to spread the message, just like Jesus did. Hypocrisy may be human nature, but this is gross hypocrisy that involves harming people.
I can answer that question fully, but I can say that I am living a much better life after ditching religion and much happier as well. I care more about life (my own and others), treat other more fairly, expanded my moral consideration to near-sentient animals, pursue knowledge without fear, spend more of my time volunteering, fight injustice with more passion, and have learned so much about myself since I dropped religion.
Here is something else to note: even if believing in God makes one’s life better, it doesn’t make His existence any more or less real. The effect of belief has no bearing on the validity of the belief.
Thanks for the Sesame Street level education.
Ah so enlightened that we strain our little neuron Sid Faiwu to so witty comments.
There is no separation of saint and sinner. We are all sinners, that is why we strive to do better.
However, I am in agreement that some ‘self-anointed’ pastors are indeed Christ pimps. But again you have not addressed the question if you work should you get paid?
In addition what separates ‘gross hypocrisy’ from ‘a little hypocrisy’?
I’m sorry, Azmodel, I thought your question was rhetorical. Allow me to answer it.
If one works for someone else, then they should get paid. I don’t expect to get paid for mowing my own lawn.
I was pondering this very question even as I stated that there was a difference. I’d call any hypocrisy that results in harm to anyone as gross hypocrisy and other types as ‘a little’ hypocrisy. An example of the latter would include when I complain about someone talking loudly on a cell phone when I sometimes do the same. It is that level of hypocrisy that is human nature.
Actually Sid it has been interesting and I thank you all for your input and debate. FYI actually to all who are interest they recent had an interesting debate in Birmingham, AL in the US on ‘The God Delusion’ on NPR. I believe you’ll find it interesting the debate between
Atheist author Richard Dawkins and Christian apologist John Lennox. I think you can stilldownload it here:
http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/audio.htm
and click
John Lennox vs. Richard Dawkins “The God Delusion” Debate 2007 MP3
I really tried listening to that, but after 10 minutes the horrible echo and it was to much of a strain listening.
So, honest question, is there anything in it that I haven’t heared a thousand times before?
For all of the idiots who have a problem with the house that we the members of DWO bought our pastor, take it up with God. The day you give us a dollar, then that is the day we might consider following your doctrine or advice oN where it should go. Not only is Pastor Ben blessed, he was blessed for the 20 years that he was an auto exec prior to becoming a pastor. We are all blessed and God the blessor, does not mind us being that way. Stay in poverty, keep leaving nasty comments about people who give away more than 20 million pounds of food a year, who have helped more than 200 families avoid foreclosure in the last year, and who help people who legitimately need it. So many miracles were seen after that 3.5 million dollars. ALL PRAISES TO JEHOVAH JIREH ~ OUR PROVIDER
DWOSP, seeing how your post lacks any real substance, as well as a good justification, I will mentally sort it under “Blabbering by ignorant gits”.
Suggest you take the Red Pill, and take a really good at what you’re paying for. 3.7 million dollars provide housing for 75 homeless people, or food for 3700 starving people, or vaccinations for 75000 newborn children.
Now get of your high horse and take a damn good look at your “money well spent”
this is so ridiculous, just bcuz your living at home to a 500 sq foot apartment doesnt mean that a man of god has to descend to your level. try attending or watching a service b4 you embarrass yourself on the internet. i dont even attend this church but i know truth when i see it and its definitely pooring out of this place
Hi all,
I agree with Sidfaiwu, butttttt it’s a bit messy when he parks the donkey in the drive or at the supermarket, he’ll have to have the philo maid in the truck behind to clean it all up?
Hey John,
You say that this guy shouldn’t descend from him mansion to your APT because of different levels? didn’t Jesus descend to earth from heaven, that was a great leveller.
If Christ returned tomorrow and said u were wrong, u misinterpeded his word, u cause discord and strife, u bared false witness against your brother, is it possible, maybe not in most of your minds, because the Bible says every man thinks he’s right in his own sight, the Bible also says Lean not to thine own understanding but trust ” in the Lord Thy God” with all thine heart, get understanding from God not man or flesh before you cast lots on people, I am a Believer, A Tither, and my life bares witness, the Bible says you will know them by their Fruit, I see the spirit of the accuser, maybe God Bless you all.
Your life “bares witness”?? So you’re a stripper?
ROFL.
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