Glasgow City Council has stated that Roberts could face prosecution if he makes unsubstantiated claims over his alleged medical powers.
A spokesman for the Bible Belt cleric insists he has already “healed” as many as 100,000 cancer sufferers around the globe and can offer hope to chronically ill Scots.
But Roberts was forced to quit his lucrative post as president of an American college amid claims he abused his position and embarked on “Imelda Marcos-style” spending sprees with the institution’s funds.
The board of Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma passed a vote of no confidence in him after it was alleged he used college money to buy a fleet of expensive cars, keep horses, convert a study into a wardrobe for his wife’s designer clothes, employed academics to do his children’s homework and used the university jet to fly his daughter to the Caribbean.
Roberts will visit Glasgow’s Destiny Church, an independent evangelical organisation, on May 6, and pledges that, through “the holy spirit”, he will cure the sick.
A promotional leaflet states: “Bring your family and invite your friends and witness healing miracles from the Lord. Come expecting your miracle”.
The event is free, but people will be invited to make financial “offerings” afterwards.
Professor Jim Cassidy, head of Glasgow University’s Centre for Oncology, believed the event would give false hope to the most vulnerable.
He said: “Undoubtedly there will be lots of people who wish to take up this offer. People do clutch at straws, but this is likely to be quite damaging to them.
“It would be interesting to challenge the legality of these claims.”
As an aside – in June 2008 two World Magazine reporters wrote about the claims of Canadian Todd Bentley, and Lakeland, noting the ATM’s in: Same old Scam?
Warren Cole Smith obtained the names of 13 people who claimed healing - he is working on a follow up which he hopes to have up at World Magazine soon.
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This sort of religion infuriates me. When folk are most vulnerable they go to such services willing, praying for a cure. When it does not come they are told that their faith was not strong enough. Hog wash! The healer has prayed upon their vulnerabilites, and cut out from them one of the deepest sources of support in dark hours.
I understand what you are saying. There are so many prosperity/healers – I don’t want to become densensitized to the enormous harm to do preying on desperate people. They are amoral masters of the con.
I cannot speak for Richard Roberts, however I can speak for the Church concerned and can certainly assure you that we ‘prey’ on nobody! We offer to pray that people will recieve healing as we believe wholeheartedly that God does. We do not condemn their faith if the healing does not happen, we would be more likely to continue to pray, while standing with them and their family with love and support. The fact is that I know many people who have received healing and would not ever believe it right that we stop praying for the sick just incase they don’t get healed. However our number one hope is that the ultimate healing would take place – that of their relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. If they find forgiveness and salvation in that then no matter the illness they will have an assurance and confidence that whatever happens they are right with God.
No one is saying God doesn’t heal.
This piece is talking about two things: 1) the false claims of the prosperity gospel and 2) breaking another countries laws.
If Roberts wants to put his show on in Scotland, fine:
“If Mr Roberts, or anyone else, advertises or promises a cure for cancer then he is likely to be in breach of consumer protection regulations. “Anyone advertising a product, which includes a service, must be able to deliver.”
We are to pray for the sick, not prey on the sick.
DTS:
I’m sure Bene D and others who read this blog are pleased that you’ve replied on behalf of your church. You seem to have a sensible approach regarding healing and salvation.
However, if your church had an ounce of integrity, it would not have invited Richard Roberts, period. The man’s theology and methods are so far in error that he has disqualified himself as a Christian minister. By giving him a platform, you are endorsing his lies and showing huge lack of discernment.
And in case you’re wondering, I’m not some sort of conservative evangelical cessationist with an anti-pentecostal agenda. I believe in the gifts of the spirit and the healing power of God. But Richard Roberts is just a master of manipulation and what he does has nothing to do with the Holy Spirit. I am saddened that sincere christians have been taken in by this deception, and pray that God will open your eyes to the truth.
Richard Roberts does not claim that healing comes from him. He prays for people and Jesus heals them. Sometimes they get healed and sometimes they don’t get healed. They have said God told them to go to a healing crusade and the stronger annointing there would heal them. And many people have gotten healed at his healing crusades and others like Benny Hinn and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland. The people who were hurting and God healed them know the truth. And yes, God does heal people of cancer. Dodie Osteen was healed of cancer and wrote a book about it. Her son is Joel Osteen and is a wonderful preacher in Houston, Texas. The truth is in the Bible…if you believe the Bible is God’s word. It says, “He sent his word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions,” “By His stripes you were healed,” “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Jesus is still healing today and people all over the world are getting saved and healed. Just because you don’t believe doesn’t make it untrue. You should go go one of his crusades and see the miracles. People can see and hear again, they can walk and their pain goes away because of the love of Jesus. Richard Roberts’ website is ORM.CC. It is Oral Roberts Ministries and Richard is annointed to take God’s saving and healing power to the nations. Just visit the website or tune in to “The Place For Miracles” their tv program on many channels. Good Luck.