The Roots of Pentecostal Scandal (Christianity Today)

[struggle4progress]

Christian History Corner: The Roots of Pentecostal Scandal—Romanticism Gone to Seed
The sexual stumblings of prominent ministers point to a hidden flaw in Pentecostal spirituality.
By Chris Armstrong
posted 09/17/2004 9:00 a.m.

The sordid 1980s scandals of Pentecostal ministers Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart will incline some to presume that Paul Crouch, president of Pentecostal-linked television network TBN, did engage in the alleged homosexual liaison.

But whether the allegations in this case are eventually substantiated or not, the question arises again: why does the Pentecostal ministry seem particularly susceptible to sexual scandal?

It may turn out, in fact, that statistically, Pentecostal ministers fall in this way no more often than do other ministers. I'm sure we make this connection at least partly because of the long cultural shadows of Bakker and Swaggart.

But I don't think the connection is accidental. <snip>

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/137/52.0.html

[Inland]

1. [catholics quietly move on to next thread] nt

[ghostsofgiants]

2. ...

Somewhat related to the origianl post:

Ugh...Pentecostal = torture.

I was raised Pentecostal, and aside from the fact that I'm pretty non-religious (read: agnostic), the shit is insane. 3-hour church services with people speaking in tongues and shit.

Not to mention the fact that my ultra-religious Pentecostal grandparents epitomize the religious right. It's scary. Not to mention confusing.

Every time I visit their house I get an our-long lecture about how I should start going to church, etc.

Anyway, that's all I have to say. I just like to complain about my Pentecostal upbringing, haha.

[MissMarple]

3. I am sorry, but happy that you seemed to have survived

the experiences. It looks like some just give up, join in, and become twisted ministers. Organized religion has a lot to answer for.