US Christian preacher Benny Hinn has been turned away from Britain, leaving thousands of people stranded at an evangelical rally in London last weekend.
Benny Hinn (Joe Skipper/Reuters)
He was turned back at Stansted airport under new rules on visiting ministers of religion, according to The Times.
Many thousands of Pentecostal Christians travelled from across Britain and Europe and booked long weekend breaks in the capital’s hotels for his “mission” at the ExCeL exhibition centre in Docklands, East London, which had been due to begin last Thursday night.
They were left disappointed after Border Agency officials turned him back when he landed with his private jet because he had failed to obtain a “letter of sponsorship” from a church.
Instead, Mr Hinn flew on to Paris and tried to enter Britain at Luton airport but was again turned back.
Jill Masefield, who lives in Bristol, said that she and thousands of other followers had been left waiting for Mr Hinn to appear at the free preaching event, not knowing why he had not appeared.Instead, another pastor preached and requested donations of up to £1,000.
She wailed:
He’s been coming here for years and years. I think it is very unfair that they have blocked him now. It has cost me a fortune in hotel bills and I feel we have been led up the garden path. It is extremely unfair.
The Benny Hinn “fire conference and miracle service” was scheduled to last three days. Among the “miracles” the Texan preacher performs are those in which he instructs participants to “let the bodies hit the floor”. The routine is featured on YouTube videos that show the devout falling down backwards, “slain in the spirit”.
Hinn, according to this site, is far better at fleecing people than making prophesies. He once prophesised that God would destroy the homosexual community of America by fire “in the mid-nineties – about ’94 or ’95, no later than that.”
His ministry is believed to rake in up to $120-million annually. Hinn lives in an oceanfront hacienda valued at $8.5-million.
He also foretold that Fidel Castro would die during the 1990s, and that the world would end by 1999. Hinn has also taught that the Biblical Adam flew to the moon. He has said that the Christian Trinity is actually God in nine persons, not three, because the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are each comprised of trinities
Mr Hinn has visited before without any problem but the Home Office has changed the rules for ministers of religion. He fell foul of tier five of the new points-based system for all visitors to Britain, which came into effect last November. One of the aims of the new rules was to combat extremism and prevent teachers of religious hate entering the country.
A Border Agency spokesman said:
Under the UK’s tough new points-based system, religious workers must obtain a valid certificate of sponsorship prior to arriving in the UK. These rules are designed to make sure that a legitimate sponsor is linked to each application to enter the UK for work purposes. These rules are applied objectively and clearly set out for travellers. People who arrive without the required documentation can be refused entry to the UK.
Hat tip: Stuart W
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
October 7th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
LET THE BODIES HIT THE FLOOR
LET THE BODIES HIT THE FLOOR
I have that song stuck in my head now
SO has satan been blamed for blocking his entry into britain or are we all doomed to hell yet or what??
October 7th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
#religious workers must obtain a valid certificate of sponsorship prior to arriving in the UK#
So……… Does anyone know if the rat slinger has one?
How can this country justify banning Geert Wilders and then welcoming the misogynistic, homophobic, antisemetic arsehole?
If there are protests about the popes visit, I will be taking part.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:22 am
And you have to pay a grand for that? When I were a lad, you could get to falling down backward for a couple of quid. I suppose about a tenner a bottle now, for cheap spirits. Pun intended!
October 8th, 2009 at 5:47 am
You mean the UK government finally got something right? Someone must have slipped up there.
Will he now come back with a bunch of Human Rights lawyers and get the money anyway?
October 8th, 2009 at 6:29 am
Could the UK now start deporting the lunatics, con-artists and freaks already resident? Seems a bit unfair to block one nutter but allow others to stay and preach/live of benefits/fleece people.
Since when did a preacher need their own Learjet? Thought they made do with flying camels…
October 8th, 2009 at 6:42 am
As an atheist I believe in treating all religious shamans equally.
Does this mean we can ban Ratzinger?
October 8th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Oh, just so typical of the Godless British.
Persecuting a poor defenseless Christian just because he has great teeth and hair, and earns an honest living healing poor folk who can't afford medical insurance.
You know, we recently had one of our Christian Scientists do a study to find out what Jesus will look like when he returns, and guess what?
It turns out he'll be the spittin' image of Benny Hinn.
This handsome man with his naturally tanned skin, his near perfect hair curves, and neatly trimmed nostril hairs is the closest representation of what Jesus Christ would physically look like if he were to appear to us today.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:32 am
There's worse than that on YouTube, Brian - "Holy Laughter" and "Spiritual Drunkenness", believe it or not! Look up Kenneth Hagin and Kenneth Copeland, two of the biggest conmen on God's earth, especially in the video "Pentecostal Bedlam" (AKA: "How I Found Jesus and Lost My Mind"!) . There also used to be videos of holy farting and belching, but I couldn't immediately locate them. (Yes – I'm not joking!!) Funnily enough this is exactly the sort of thing that early Christians were warned to AVOID. "If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues (whatever that originally meant!), and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?" (1 Cor.14:23.). "Let all things be done decently and in order" ( v40). Need I say more?
October 8th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Yes – he does look about 2,000 years old, Sister Talitha!
October 8th, 2009 at 11:51 am
$120 million p.a! Nice little earner. All those gullible people to paraphrase Peter Gabriel – "invest in the church for their heaven" At least this charlatan won't be getting his hands on much British cash. Strange we have not heard the usual whining about xtian persecution from the odious and zombie look-a-like Ms Williams.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Here's the link, but I can't see any farting that isn't obviously dubbed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SgByEOpX1m
There are plenty of other videos in the same vein!!
October 8th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I wish we could get rid of him and all of the religious shysters here in America. All they do is lie to their followers, collect huge amounts of money, spread hatred, cause divisiveness, and elect politicians who want to establish a theocracy to replace our current form of government . They are plotting 24/7 to delegitimize Obama's presidency by any means necessary. In fact, some of them are already calling for his impeachment, urging a military coup to overthrow him, and praying for his assassination. I am so sick of them and wish they'd buy a planet and move there so that they can have whatever makes their little evil-ridden hearts and minds happy.
October 8th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Who would have believed it. Our saintly government has actually turned away a Christian, and not only once, but twice. Well done, and well done border controls.
Here is another mad American Christian who has it in for us Atheists.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Ra.....ospel#p/...
October 8th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Sister Talitha, you are priceless. If I were anywhere near Landover in Iowa I would visit your church.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Then I sincerely hope that you are a "Born-Again, Bible-Believing, Fundamentalist, Washed-in-The-Precious-Blood-of-The-Lamb Christian", Neuseline, because their website distinctly states:
Unsaved Not Welcome!
October 8th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
We are aware of them, majii. Barry has highlighted on this site already The Wit and Wisdom of Wiley Drake, who is praying at this very time for the death of "Barak Hussein Obama", as he likes to put it, and has, I believe, referred to him as the Antichrist! I have also read comments posted on the net by some Americans who seem to quite seriously believe that President Obama is the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler!! If I were aChristian I'd be REALLY praying for your country right now!!!
October 8th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
And aren't they being rather selective as to which of the Scriptures they obey and which they just ignore, again?
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." (Romans 13:1-2)
October 8th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Yeah, but HOW would they know that I am a gratefully unsaved ? Do the unsaved have a rusty halo or something else to show them up?
Right at the bottom of the Landoverbaptist website it gives the name A. Weber. Is that not also our Jesus&MO's creator?
October 9th, 2009 at 5:15 am
I don't think that applies to democracy, only royalty.
Or maybe it means the Goa'uld?
October 9th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Isn't it obvious dear?
Anyone not shown as being True Christian™ is Unsaved Trash.
We True Christians™ at Landover have all kneeled down before Jesus and gladly been filled with his Love.
Now, which of you Sinners gave me a thumbs-down for my last post?
October 9th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I am terribly frightened of what is happening, how those who only have hatred in their hearts are tolerated. I do believe in free speech when it can help and advance humanity in the World but these so called religious who spout hared to another cannot be normal.
In this day and age explain someone to me how they are getting away with all this hatred and Religious leaders although some do not condone it they do not speak out against it.
October 9th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I am terribly frightened of what is happening, how those who only have hatred in their hearts are tolerated. I do believe in free speech when it can help and advance humanity in the World but these so called religious who spout hared to another cannot be normal.
In this day and age explain someone to me how they are getting away with all this hatred and Religious leaders although some do not condone it they do not speak out against it.
October 9th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
you are not being serious are you, surely not. Which Jesus is to return as I believe there were many disiples who claimed exactly what Jesus claimed. He was after money and power so I suppose he was not that different from Benny Hinn after all.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
"It has cost me a fortune in hotel bills and I feel we have been led up the garden path"
She only just realised?
Similar bilge was recently spouted by a priest in Cambridge after it was announced that a "witch" was going to open an "occult centre". Aren't there laws against monopolies?
October 9th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Have you not visited Landover Baptists ("Where the Worthwhile Worship – Unsaved Unwelcome") yet, Elaine? If not, then it's time you did!
(See, Sister Talitha, all them sinners that have been "chosen in Him from the foundation of the World" are gradually being garnered in! His coming can't be far off now, surely – Praise His Holy Name!!)
October 9th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I've just jeard that President Obama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (yeah – I know – what a gimmick!); so it appears that Wiley Drake's "imprecatory prayers" have so far failed in a most spectacular fashion. Still, another month has gone by, and no great disaster has overtaken Florida (unlike those godless islands in the Far East) so the other guy's prayers are working anyway!!
October 9th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I had to look up Goa'uld, never having come across the word before. I don't quite see the connection, but doubtless others will!
Are you suggesting that we should all obey every edict of Prince Charles when the present queen pops her clogs then? Just one more reason to be atheist, I think!!
October 9th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
That's a great video, Neuseline. It was on ProudAtheists the other day! I hope everyone has watched it now!!
PS I was just wondering whether Tony Blair's paperwork was all in order…no – that's too much to ask!!!
October 9th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
That's a great video, Neuseline. It was on ProudAtheists the other day! I hope everyone has watched it now!!
PS I was just wondering whether Tony Blair's paperwork was all in order… no – that's too much to ask!!!
October 10th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I must correct myself. I feel so silly. The person with the same name A Weber, who is listed on the Landoverbaptist website, is not J&M's creator (he shall remain anonymous), but of UK Wildlife. That's what happens when you sit hunched over your laptop at 2 o'clock in the morning, your head falls forward and you start to dream. My apologies to all concerned.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Alan I am glad you bought up this subject. Count me in.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:14 am
As much as I hate what this jerk stands for, I am more concerned about this heavy handed government policies. It certainly will be used as a suppressive tool against anyone the government finds 'threatening' (i.e. is critical of the government and is developing a substantial following0
October 21st, 2009 at 4:09 am
It's good to know our government will protect the less sensible from these con-artists. People have spent a fortune preparing and traveling to see this man, only to waste more money when they arrive by giving him money which he only spends on him self.