I think that some of you are casting a pretty broad net. Yes, there are plenty of artists who, like most other genres, hope to make a lot of money from their music. And there are some who don’t practice what they preach/sing. But there are plenty who truly believe what they write and sing.
When I was involved in church I sang in a quartet that toured around and gave concerts. I can’t speak for the other, but I was under no illusion that we would get rich doing it. We sang because we believed. I know a lot of other musicians who were the same.
As for talent. Listen to the whole song and tell me that David Phelps can’t sing.
Are you saying that performing in front of and entertaining Christians and receiving donations or even a set dollar amount is exploiting them? Is it any different than country music fans paying to see country stars?
Michael had been telling that anecdote in concerts for years. More likely it was their legendary concerts in SoCal in the early '90s that were what attracted music scouts looking for the next big thing. Hasn’t the music industry always been this way?
That 2011 triple album, their last significant release of original music, may have been his way of “going on the record” after so many years.
That’s a double standard. Everyone pays for the entertainment they enjoy (unless they steal it).
Surely you aren’t talking about evangelicals like our “White House Faith Advisor” who say “If you send me your money, god is going to shower blessings down upon you”.
I don’t usually pass up those opportunities when warranted, but no - this time it was a dig on phony evangelicals who prey on innocent, well-meaning people.
Paula White claims that if you donate $1,000 before Easter, you’ll receive “seven supernatural blessings,” including an angel assigned to you, prosperity, healing, and a long life.
It used to be more, but for a long time almost every R&B star started in church.
Otis Redding did. Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Usher, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams and Dennis Edwards (60% of the Temptations), Donna Summer, El DeBarge, Rick James.
Modern R&B is dominated by two Canadians and SZA and Bruno Mars. Bruno and Drake each have a Jewish parent (Drake went to a Jewish day school), and SZA has a muslim dad. The Weeknd wasn’t raised singing at church.
That seems like a pretty good deal…7? With a magic genie you only get three wishes.
I can’t get over how people that never see any of the results from this still continue to support these people. Not only did you not get 7 wishes, you lost your job, couldn’t pay your rent and now your 22 year old addict son has to move in. But you keep sending Paula your money because this all just a test. The good times are just around the corner.
I’ve heard of Paula White, so you could have just referred to her by name. Using her title within the administration makes it obvious who your subconscious target was.
While the concept that you can’t out give God is scriptural (Malachi 3:8-10), one’s motivation counts. If one is only giving in order to get more in return, how is that different from Wall Street? To whom are you really giving? That’s neither charitable nor generous.
White’s a heretic for sure. When Simon tried to buy the Holy Spirit for money (Acts 8), Peter rebuked him strongly. How is that any different from what White is doing, selling the promise of God’s blessings for a donation to her “ministry?”
Let me make a point I’ve tried to make before. If one is familiar with what the Bible really says, one won’t be taken in by this foolishness. You and I both know how much good is done by churches and charitable Christian organizations, so it is important to be discerning about where your generosity is directed.
Whenever I hear these stories I think of my best friend’s neighbors when I was growing up. They had a son that was probably in his 20’s but mentally disabled so he played with us, he was basically a little kid. His older brother and father were off a bit too, but functional. I don’t think they had a pot to piss in, but they would take their one vacation a year and go to the 700 Club and/or some sort of theme park of Robertson’s in the south.
