Thursday, June 20, 2013

Buy Bishop Hilliard New Helicopter Blades And God Will Give You A New Car

I have posted quite a bit about my views on organized religion, but let me say it again, clearly and concisely: I am against it because it’s seems more exclusive than inclusive. And I often wonder why the pastors and priests, reverends, rabbis and ministers often live in the best houses and drive the newest cars while talking about doing their all for God.

Now I know why …

Let’s take a look at one Bishop I. V. Hilliard, who has built what many call a religious empire at the New Light Church in Houston. He has thousands of, ahem, followers, and also has six locations for his church. He’s like the Visa card; he’s everywhere you want to be. And now he wants to be in your wallet.

The Bishop has sent a letter to members of his church asking for donations. Okay, so church leaders are always asking for donations to feed the needy or help the homeless, or buy a new car or something, but Hilliard s letter tells church members that he needs to raise $50,000 to replace the blades on the church helicopter.

Yes. The.Church.Helicopter.

I mean, you cannot expect Hilliard  a holy man of God to travel by car like minions can you? He needs to fly, and he needs his flock to pay for it. And, in return for their donations of just $52 each, his congregation will receive a blessing from God. You don’t say? What kind of blessing, and when?

Well, Hilliard says if you give him $52 so he can fix his whirlybird, God will give you a new car--apparently God thinks he’s Oprah--and you will receive said car in 52 days … or 52 weeks. The Bishop isn’t sure because, apparently, God is still working out the details with the local dealership.

And the crazy part of this whole mess is that some people are giving the fifty bucks for the new chopper blades and will be sitting home for the next year waiting for the sound of a car horn in their driveway.

One couple, who briefly attended New Light, differ on the issue of donating to replace the blades on the helicopter. Michelle says, "There are people out there who need that $50 for something else …  maybe he can get a company to donate it." Her husband, Roger, says, “Yeah I think it's a good idea if that's what it needs."

Here’s hoping Michelle holds the purse strings in that family.

When asked about his request from his congregation to pay for his new helicopter blades, Bishop Hilliard issued this statement:
New Light Church World Outreach and Worship Centers, Inc. regularly make appeals to Special Partners, Members and friends of the church for the support of various programs and services. Occasionally, it is not uncommon for an appeal to be directed toward specific Kingdom projects or specific needs.
In this instance, the appeal was directed to our Special Partners and friends who are familiar with the Biblical principles upon which we base our faith. We sincerely regret if anyone was offended by this appeal in that it was not our intent.
Bishop Ira V. Hilliard
Doin’ God’s work. In a helicopter paid for by the congregation in exchange for one of God’s cars to come their way.

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:07 PM

    I knew Texas was full of gullible Christians, but I bet Joel Osteen is feeling a little "chopper envy" over this.

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  2. The Unitarians will give you a new pair of Birkenstocks if you just show up once in a d@mn while.

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  3. what an asshat! jim bakker got in trouble for such "giving" like this.

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  4. Mind boggling, but wait a moment....I need a new car, perhaps ISBL readers could donate towards the cost?

    ReplyDelete

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