Paul, Steve Martin's movie Leap of Faith exposed some of these tricks. They're of the same order as those used by a-holes like John Edward, who pretend to communicate with the dead. Scumbags, every one of them.

A young man from the countryside after graduation from university, with parents live frugaly save money to guangzhou. However, after 3 months, and guccishoes partnership of coil and fellow has escaped. Regret, resentment, helpless, and despair guccishoes together in the bottom of the guccishoes, died.

Kinda sounds like how most politicians work their crowds, doesn't it?

Good post. But I wouldn't downplay the use of ringers over technology or brain-straining stage tricks. $50 will buy a testimony on the worst days. Hell, I was talking to a nice older man a few years ago when he offered the "fact" that his dental work turned from amalgam to gold because of the power of God!

He didn't consider himself a bold-faced liar; he considered himself witnessing *real good*.

"Making Those Called On Stage Collapse Under The Power Of The Holy Spirit"

Histrionics as a sign of God's presence and approval of the proceedings is encouraged from the charismatic pulpit as a cynical congregational bonding technique and lowbrow advertising. This unbiblical lusting after outward signs and manifestations of "gifts" taught from the pulpit puts the onus on individuals to demonstrate God's "favor" toward themselves----and by extension, the congregation. While each individual knows that being "slain in the spirit" is NOT accompanied by supernatural or transformational experience worthy of being written down, the fact that they, in public, are willing to let themselves "go"---no matter how premeditatedly or not----is seen as at least circumstantial evidence by them that God is In da' house---never mind the circular reasoning employed.

So I see it as less mass hypnosis than group improvisational acting aimed at fooling the devil, who seeing all these swaying, swooning and ecstatic souls, is supposed to grind his teeth in rage or something.

And it's not like at brunch after church that a fellow worshipper is going to ask his fellow across the table, "Were YOU faking it, too?"

That would be contrary to the spirit of performance art.

Thankfully, miracles of God still occur today, but miracles are never guaranteed simply because of our faith. Paul the Apostle knew this world's suffering exceedingly deeply and thoroughly, and even though God through him raised people from the dead, Paul himself had significant physical problems that possibly included his eyes and verbal speech. Although Paul asked God three times to heal him (and certainly Paul had abundant faith!), God decided not to do so for a more important reason, that Paul would remain humble.

Regarding faith healers, inspirational religious leaders draw multitudes with promises of miraculous healing and deliverance, but increasing spiritual discernment is necessary to avoid serious dangers posed by charlatans in this area, who prey on those in need. When people claim miracles that bring glory and financial profit to men, you can know they are not of God.

As a Christian, I have seen many charlatans, including having once gone to a Benny Hinn event where, sitting in the stands, it was quite obvious that it was all just a big show.
And yes, I have stood at the prayer altar and felt a pastor try to push me, with two fingers on my chest, back into the arms of someone standing behind me. I stood straight, and kept praying to Jesus that what ever his will was, that I would do. But I wasn't going to lay down for any man. The pastor seemed to get frustrated with me, and moved on.

However, there was once, at an average chapel service at a small church one evening, where I knew everyone and there had been no expectations, and where the sermon hadn't even begun yet, that something happened.

It was still in the middle of worship, and a guitarist had stopped playing. After a few moments, it became obvious that he was sobbing. And from there... I don't know what happened. But within a matter of minutes, several people were sobbing in the congregation...and then, some were kneeling, praying, sobbing....and then it seemed like almost everyone - I looked across the heads of praying, crying people, and saw a friend across the room; we caught each other's eyes. We were the only two left standing.
At this point, some people were actually laying on the floor, praying and crying.

My friend and I smiled at each other across the room, and each one of us went to someone crying, knelt down and prayed for them.
This all happened in a matter of minutes, but the prayer went on l ike that for over an hour. The Sermon didn't even take place. The pastor was sitting down crying and praying too. Something like this had never happened before, and I have never experienced it since.

I do believe it is the first and only time I have truly witnessed slaying in the Spirit.

No, it wasn't mass hysteria. I knew all these people. Some of them didn't even like each other. This is not something that was cooked up. And although we went on to have many "good" worship services together, this event was not something that has been repeated - because it wasn't a show. No one would have wanted to just try and "force" something like that happen. It was too beautiful in it's simple spontaneity to mess with. No one would want to ruin the memory of a night like that by trying to force it to happen again.

But I pray the Lord WILL allow me to experience an event like that again - and again and again - because the feeling of being present during an honest move of the Spirit is too tremendous to describe. I want more of that.

I was filled with the Holy Spirit and healed at a pentecostal church .....Nothing pretend about it .....Maybe some are fake but mine was REAL .....I felt the Holiness of God and felt the sorrow of sin .....

God is real I've see God heal people miraculously, You should flow in the gifts of the Holy Spirit like Jesus told you to as His disciples. However it is easier for you to condemn those that do than to believe God yourself. Be faithful Men and women of God and trust the Lord for the extraordinary!

The bible says there are false signs and miracles so there is also a real possibility that the supposed healings are from demons - which is just for the show.

benny hinn is a satanist / antichrist. Anyone who thinks he is a Christian has no clue what True Christianity is all about.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, There are many wolves out there but we are called to recognize them from their fruits.

I am a cradle catholic and will always be a Catholic. I had suffered from asthma since I was a child. One day Benny Hinn was preaching on TV and I was getting ready to get to work. I was about to switch off the TV and head out when he invited the viewers to touch the TV screen and pray with him at the end of the service. I had the remote in my hand and stood where I was (some 3 feet away) from the screen and prayed with him. I felt something like a low voltage current pass through my chest. From that day in 2005 till today I have never suffered an asthmatic attack.

I must say that God indeed works miracles and all we need is faith. After healing, Jesus often said "your faith has healed you". We must be patient and persevere in prayer waiting on God for our healing. God promises to answer those who acknowledge Him as God and the promises of God are trustworthy. As for these healers, if they are out there on stage preaching the message of Christ, spreading the good news of salvation, and calling people to accept Christ, then we need to pray for them. Mark 9:39-40 "Don't stop him!" Jesus said. "No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.

I am sorry but people need to take care not to put all faith healers into the same bucket. I am from a small town in NewEngland in which I went to see Billy Burke. He is a powerful man of God....I had scoliosis {curve in the spine}. He layed hands on me and I WAS HEALED. The rounding in my back is gone and many people I know asked me about it because they could no longer see it. I also saw many local people I know personally that were healed...nothing was set up...as for Benny? I can't speak for that. I only know what happened to me.

Just wanted to say if any of these pastors really had the gift to heal then why aren't they visiting the childrens cancer ward and healing these children of God. What about the veterans hospital for healing? These men risk their lives to keep this country safe and are laying in the beds with no legs, no arms, etc. If their healing was truly from God..that's where they should be instead of doing it in front of TV Cameras and audiances.

if pastors have the gift of healing it doesnt mean that they can heal everybody at anyplace at anytime.Yes they are gifted with this kind of gift but its up to God to call the shot.
God is powerful and sovereighn--He knows whats good for his children,and if healing those kids are his will then no one can stop it,he can even use other people to do even it that man doesnt feel like doin it.
My point is that lets not blame/judge things on people because if we do we put the blame on God.Instead lets have the attitude of faith-trusting what his plans are for us and for other people.Perhaps God knows whats best for us.

Hey believers - show me evidence that your God exists. Anecdotes are not evidence. All 'faith' healers are charlatans, and abusing your 'faith'.

And no, I can't prove to you that God doesn't exist... (think about the logic of that, if you will)

I agree there is substantial of abuse of 'faith' in any case, but for evidence God exists, please see my article Miracles of God, Evolution or False Prophets?. You are honest in saying you can't prove God doesn't exist, and likewise I can't prove to you that God does exist -- however, we can still consider evidence we have to make the best reasoned decision.