EXPERTS in South Arica are claiming that a genuine miracle took place at a massive evangelical rally staged by American “prosperity” preacher Benny Hinn, who is touring the country with his “Miracle Crusade”.
Would you buy a blessing from this man? Benny Hinn, complete with distinctly dodgy hairdo, has an uncanny talent for separating fools from their money
The genuine, verifiable event – attributed to “the power of the Almighty” – occurred when thousands of pounds miraculously left the bank accounts of around 1,000 of devout Christians, and within minutes inexplicably surfaced in Hinn’s sizeable off-shore bank accounts.
It happened when Todd Koontz, a guest speaker at the “Miracle Crusade” told the 18,000 believers at the Coca Cola Dome near Johannesburg that God had created a “two minute” window of opportunity, during which time the Almighty would make hundreds into millionaires, or even billionaires.
All they had to do to receive the “exceptional blessing” was hand over a sizeable donation to God, aka Hinn.
$1,000 dollars (£500) to be precise.
Why are we not surprised that a stampede ensued?
According to this report, Koontz really had the congregation scrambling when he said:
This blessing will be poured out for only two minutes.
Pastor Tommie Ferreira, of the AGS Church in Johannesburg, was so incensed about the “blessing” that, after a week, he demanded to know who of the donors had actually become millionaires. He is apparently yet to find the answer.
Everyone had to donate $1,000 because an exceptional blessing rested on $1,000. People stormed to the front – poor people, rich people, people from all sections of our society.
Poor people? For pity’s sake, how poor could they have been to afford £500 for a “blessing”?
Hinn’s side-kicks at the event had credit-card machines at the ready in order take donations.
He (Koontz) said God would bless the people’s credit cards and they would be able to rule over South Africa with their money. Eventually there were no fewer than 1,000 people who made such donations.
Another South African pastor, Dr Sarel Smit was equally worried about the method by which Hinn collected donations.
Especially at a time like this when there is dire need, people run the risk of losing their faith in the Lord [if he fails to deliver]. God will provide for your needs, but not your greed.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
