Todd Bentley - God induced Violence?

[spiritually inclined]

Here is a man who claims that the Holy Spirit tells him to abuse and assault people during prayer.

I have been subjected to similar experiences in the United Pentecostal Church, but thankfully none of the pastors were "anointed" enough to actually hurt me...at least physically.

How often is religion responsible for violence and harm to others? How do we confront this and change it? It doesn't seem like most people want to believe what can go on in a church.

James

 

[Scuba Pete]

Well. there is one church that I won't be attending. How utterly revolting.

 

[McBell]

Well. there is one church that I won't be attending. How utterly revolting.

agreed

 

[Charity]

Here is a man who claims that the Holy Spirit tells him to abuse and assault people during prayer.

I have been subjected to similar experiences in the United Pentecostal Church, but thankfully none of the pastors were "anointed" enough to actually hurt me...at least physically.

How often is religion responsible for violence and harm to others? How do we confront this and change it? It doesn't seem like most people want to believe what can go on in a church.

James

I don't believe that the Holy Spirit would tell someone to do this type of thing. It may be a spirit but not of God. I'm definitely not understanding what you mean by the pastors were not anointed enough to actually hurt you? could you please explain. I have never experienced or witnessed any action like this in any church? Very strange, would like to hear more.

 

[ChristineES]

These people obviously go to different churches that I go to. In the churches I go to we sing, pray, listen to music, listen to the pastor tell a sermon, and stuff like that. I never went to a church where someone was hurt. What was the denomination?

 

[Father Heathen]

Wow, creepy.

How could anyone even follow this guy and take him seriously?

 

[Scuba Pete]

I don't believe that the Holy Spirit would tell someone to do this type of thing.

Agreed! Where is the love in this kind of action? I only see pride and arrogance.

 

[The_Her3tiK]

Agreed! Where is the love in this kind of action? I only see pride and arrogance.

Perhaps it goes with the idea that we are meant to suffer in this life so that we may live in eternal bliss in Heaven? That would be the most literal interpretation of such words I think.

 

[Scuba Pete]

Perhaps it goes with the idea that we are meant to suffer in this life so that we may live in eternal bliss in Heaven? That would be the most literal interpretation of such words I think.

Shades of ascetics! That's a twisting of the scriptures in my eyes.

 

[The_Her3tiK]

Shades of ascetics! That's a twisting of the scriptures in my eyes.

My apologies if I have come to a misinterpretation of some kind. I have had it portrayed in this manner by others (and not just online) so I assumed that it might not be that small of an error.:sorry1: Though this does lend to just how open to interpretation the bible is.

 

[Scuba Pete]

People say that the Bible is open to interpretations... I say it's more open to various levels of understanding. That understanding comes only from God as you open yourself up to his truths.

 

[The_Her3tiK]

People say that the Bible is open to interpretations... I say it's more open to various levels of understanding. That understanding comes only from God as you open yourself up to his truths.

Fair enough. I associate myself more with atheists than anyone else (if forced to categorize), though I was referring to this pastor with my comment. He certainly has a... unique way of preaching where that particular interpretation seemed valid.

 

[Scuba Pete]

I don't know many who think like me! The world is probably better off with things that way!

 

[The_Her3tiK]

I don't know many who think like me! The world is probably better off with things that way!

If I had a nickel for every time I said that... haha

 

[L0gic]

I find this disgusting. The idea of a god is usually to understand how a phenomena occurs, to be in a nirvana, etc... . Hurting others seems to go not only against this but uses religion as a meat-shield.

 

[Azakel]

This is just wrong, so wrong. Kick her in the face and then people laughed.....:areyoucra

P.S. with your BAKER BOOTS!

 

[Charity]

Anointing is a gift from the Holy Spirit, usually allowing to preach, teach, sing, or understand God, Jesus and the scriptures. People are able to feel the difference when someone is anointed, it's like the difference in listening to someone preach and you know he is genuine and there is no doubt about his message and listening to a tv evangelist who is just preaching for money.... No preacher could ever be "anointed" by the Holy Spirit to act in such a manner.......That's why I would like more information or else I personally will consider it falsehood.

 

[Phasmid]

Haha... this is a joke right? "God, I need to help this guy" "Leg drop that sucka!" "Right'o!"

 

[spiritually inclined]

I don't believe that the Holy Spirit would tell someone to do this type of thing. It may be a spirit but not of God. I'm definitely not understanding what you mean by the pastors were not anointed enough to actually hurt you? could you please explain. I have never experienced or witnessed any action like this in any church? Very strange, would like to hear more.

In my experience, violent worship is common in Pentecostal churches, at least the one I was in, the United Pentecostal Church. It is a sect of Christianity that believes all churches that differ doctrinally are deceived and bound for hell.

They often describe pastors as being under the anointing of God, able to deliver an especially powerful message. I was being sarcastic when I said they weren't anointed enough to hurt me because the more excited these pastors get, the more dangerous they are. I've been trapped at the front of my former church. People laid hands on me, screaming in my face.

I've even seen people pull a woman out of her wheelchair, hold her up by the arms walking her around, and take pictures as if a miracle occurred. Afterwards they put her back in the wheelchair.

What was the denomination?

I don't know, but it sounds like a form of Pentecostalism or the charismatic movement to me.

Haha... this is a joke right? "God, I need to help this guy" "Leg drop that sucka!" "Right'o!"

I wish it was a joke, but I don't think it is. There are lots of videos on youtube about this guy.

James

 

[Charity]

In my experience, violent worship is common in Pentecostal churches, at least the one I was in, the United Pentecostal Church. It is a sect of Christianity that believes all churches that differ doctrinally are deceived and bound for hell.

They often describe pastors as being under the anointing of God, able to deliver an especially powerful message. I was being sarcastic when I said they weren't anointed enough to hurt me because the more excited these pastors get, the more dangerous they are. I've been trapped at the front of my former church. People laid hands on me, screaming in my face.

I've even seen people pull a woman out of her wheelchair, hold her up by the arms walking her around, and take pictures as if a miracle occurred. Afterwards they put her back in the wheelchair.



I don't know, but it sounds like a form of Pentecostalism or the charismatic movement to me.



I wish it was a joke, but I don't think it is. There are lots of videos on youtube about this guy.

James

Were you a member of the United Pentecostal Church and were you raised Pentecostal? How much do you understand about the church? I haven't seen any videos or heard about this preacher before, but I will guess that He is like a rogue type that is running around without the full backing of the denomination that he is preaching in....A lot of these preachers tend to let a worship service get out of order. The Bible says that all things should be done with decency and order. God is not the author of confusion and if this is the type of service that is happening, I'll venture a guess that the Holy Ghost has left the building because He can't operate with confusion....They might as well write " Ichabod " (The Glory has departed) over the door and close the church permanently....