Televangelist Peter Popoff’s ministry has reimbursed a Nanaimo woman after she went public with concerns about the fundraising techniques used by the California-based church.
The first story about the Popoff rip off and Josie Gurney appeared in the Nanaimo paper May 12th and was drawn to the attention of the Popoff headquarters in the US by a Canadian Word for the World (Popoff employee), who sent the original article to the California headquaters.
Her faith started turning to suspicion when she compared notes with her sister, and realized the letters were word-for-word the same. Then she saw a television documentary debunking the faith healer.
In the 1980s, Popoff was widely known for accurately guessing audience members’ home addresses and their illnesses, fueling belief he truly enjoyed divine revelation.
But in 1987 skeptic James Randy followed the evangelist across the U.S., eventually learning his assistants gleaned information from audience members before the show, then fed it to Popoff using FM radios transmissions to a receiver fitted in Popoff’s ear.
His ministry collapsed and went bankrupt within months of the news being revealed on the Johnny Carson Show.
Popoff is now back, and today he sells his message on late-night television.
Gurney was shocked when she learned the truth.
“I just feel awful, I feel stupid,” she said.
Hello Petey - the original Jame Randi exposure.
Peter Popoff disappeared after being found out and resurfaced again in 2007. He is on Canada’s Vision Channel, several US stations and is picking up air time all over the world.
Charity Navigator: Popoff is raking it in again. Breakdown of revenue growth, salaries, assets etc.
Popoff Canadian listings
Popoff UK, Australia listings
via: Religion News Blog
Published 5 months, 2 weeks ago
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You don’t know how many times I have seen this guy on late night TV when there is nothing else on. It gets me pretty worked up. When my wife hears anything similar to a TV evangelist coming from the living room she usually asks me what I’m doing and why I’m watching it because she knows I’ll just start getting frustrated.
My biggest issue with people like Popoff is not even all the trinkets and “anointed” tokens that he sells…I mean, gives away for a nice donation. He is no different than any other person running a business or TV marketer. I have a big problem with it no doubt. Christianity has nothing to do with those things or with peddling “holy” handkerchiefs or waters. My biggest problem with these men and women is the fact that they are leading people astray. They are leading people away from the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are leading people away from the cross. They are leading people away from the reality of the resurrection. They are leading people away from the truth of those events and the gospel message. People see a quick a fix to their problems and they get sucked right in. People like Popoff need to knock it off. You want to make money? Fine, go be a legitimate businessman. Here’s the problem…the church today is big business. Why work on Wall St. when there is more money to be made in the church? Frustrating…absolutely frustrating. I feel sorry for this lady.
I see James Robison and his wife selling a vitamin something or other a lot on late night TV here.
I don’t watch The Miracle Channel, Vision TV or CTS unless I’m doing research.
It took courage for this woman to admit she was conned when she was vulnerable and to warn others. Shame is the default response when we are taken in. Speaking out does a lot to get past that.
I agree. If people like her don’t speak up, guys like Popoff will never exposed or confronted.
That poor lady. Good for her for going after that scammer.
“Even the very elect will be deceived….” Well - she did the right thing and probably got another jewel in her crown.
Hey, I want to share a great idea that I have been using. I intentionally called and signed up with Peter Popoff. Yup, I asked them to send me stuff in the mail! Why you ask? Well, because every time they send me mail, each envelope contains at least one and most often two postage paid envelopes in which i am supposed to put a donation. I then reuse the envelopes by just putting my own label over their address and now I don’t have to pay for postage.
Yup, Petter Fuck-off is paying for my postage whenever I have to pay bills or send anyone anything. I prayed for god to help me with money problems and he sent me a solution to a small but meaningful problem. Thanks Peter.
I would appreciate it if you could help me. I would like to know the home address of Peter Popoff, where I could send him a letter demanding money to be returned.
I thank you in advance for your help
Chris
Christy:
He has an post office box in Canada
PO Box 5700
Vancouver B.C. V6B 4B5
his headquarters are in Upland California.
Hes writing me to and I seen a letter online that was the same as mine. Thats not right he should be stopped!!!
Popoff is an example of someone who has been exposed - by the church and by media.
He popped right back up.
The only way the Popoff’s in life go out of business is if people stop supporting them.
We are responsible for our own salvation, to be wise and exercise common sense. We can suggest others get learn what they are being asked to support.
The solicitation gets treated the same as I’d treat a credit card company - it get’s shredded and tossed, or the delete key gets hit.
I too bought into all the hype. I lost a lot because of it too. The same letters that have been posted online were sent to me VERBATIM. Wow! I feel like a big sucker that has been half sucked and lost under a piece of furniture to collect junk and never relive the former glory of the joy I was intended to bring. I sent my last dime at times… literally! I am so frusterated that I was so foolish and ruined a lot of things every aspect of my life.
It makes it hard to trust preachers now, but I thank God for it happening because now I look more to Him and less to man for the answers. I have also found a church that is not neglectful of new Christians. I hope that everyone he has decieved can find hope and trust and peace again. I appreciate the courage of those before me and pray that more come forth to a new lost dying generation that was too young to recall. God wants us to be knowledgable and wise. Thank you for speaking out!!!!!!!!