One of the sickest yet!

[dustbunny]

Sylvia Browne, John Edward and the rest are evil for what they do but Todd Bentley is a menace with the added danger of violence. The link I've put in is only short but very telling of how this human works. (What I really think is not printable) I was shocked to say the least. :wide-eyed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUTCWLoD4-4&feature=related

I've looked at a few websites about this man and don't understand why there aren't any law suits against him. My heart goes out to the poor victim.

[Crundy]

Can't watch YouTube at work. What's the jist of the video?

[Wowbagger]

Faith healer kicks a stomach cancer patient, in the stomach, and he feels a lot worse pain. So, the faith healer goes on about "that's faith working on you", and stuff like that, while the poor man is dizzy with pain.

Really sickening.

In his response video, the healer basically says "oh that thing was spliced together, it doesn't tell the whole story". :rolleyes:

[dustbunny]

Can't watch YouTube at work. What's the jist of the video?

Todd Bentley is like a modern Peter Popoff, with a twist (a sick one at that). This poor guy is in stage 4 colon cancer and goes onto the stage. TB takes a small run and kicks him in the stomach. The rumbles from the audience were enough. He's definitely in pain and discomfort. TB has the audacity to ask him if he feels dizzy! :wide-eyed If he isn't a threat I don't know who is. Surely his vile actions are enough to start up law suits against him. He needs stopping, permanently!

[Empress]

Yeah, this guy is a real nasty piece of work. As a matter of fact Randi's SWIFT this week has a good aticle about him.

[aggle-rithm]

Todd Bentley is like a modern Peter Popoff, with a twist (a sick one at that). This poor guy is in stage 4 colon cancer and goes onto the stage. TB takes a small run and kicks him in the stomach. The rumbles from the audience were enough. He's definitely in pain and discomfort. TB has the audacity to ask him if he feels dizzy! :wide-eyed If he isn't a threat I don't know who is. Surely his vile actions are enough to start up law suits against him. He needs stopping, permanently!

I have a feeling that the first lawsuits are going to be wrongful death actions filed by the families of his victims. A colon cancer patient kicked in the stomach can suffer a ruptured colon easily, giving him peritonitis and a painful death.

[dustbunny]

I just find it outrageous that this man is getting away with it. I can't help but think of the poor victims face, it's tragic. I'll have a look at James Randis SWIFT too. How anyone can believe that this is acceptable is beyond me.

[krelnik]

I already found a case of harm related to this guy:

http://whatstheharm.net/faithhealing.html#john_doe_1097


He controlled his schizophrenia successfully with medications. Then he attended a faith healing revival and was told that he was healed. He stopped the medications and relapsed into psychosis. He had to be hospitalized. Read More (http://www.theledger.com/article/20080705/NEWS/588942307/1037/)

[dustbunny]

I already found a case of harm related to this guy:

http://whatstheharm.net/faithhealing.html#john_doe_1097

I don't get it! The young man in question could have caused serious damage to himself or others because TB told him he was cured. What will it take for people like TB to be stopped. I must admit this charlatan has really upset me and yet he goes on with his dangerous scam, giving false hope to desperate people and physically risking their lives.

[Monza]

This guy is sick beyond belief. What kind of person kicks someone with stage-4 colon cancer in the stomach? What is equally scary are the losers defending him on the YouTube comments section.

[kittynh]

it's scarey.

Because he uses religion for his mania or whatever is in his head that allows him to do this evil.

As long as you use the GOD word it's like "oh it's ok" You will rarely get anyone to try to take on someone that claims their power is from God.

It's so so sad.

And what Randi has been fighting his whole life.

[krelnik]

One interesting thing about this guy is that he provokes a huge negative reaction amongst certain groups of very religious people too.

To get new stories for Whats The Harm (http://whatstheharm.net/faithhealing.html), I have oodles of Google Alerts (http://www.google.com/alerts) set on all sorts of topics. My "faith healing" alert has been firing left and right on Bentley in recent weeks.

Many of the hits are on heavy duty Christian web sites that I would normally never visit for research purposes. They denounce him as a "false prophet." They nitpick his quotes for theological inconsistencies. They really hate his tattoos and piercings.

It does make you wonder...

Although we vehemently disagree on other topics (e.g. Creationism), skeptics and some Christians are on the same side in regards to charlatans like Bentley. I'm wondering if we couldn't use this to our tactical advantage in some ways.

To do that we'd have to be very careful due to the tendency of many skeptics to identify strongly with the atheism movement. This is a good example of how Hal Bidlack (http://bidlack2008.com/)'s admonitions to be accepting of non-atheists in the skeptical movement can be put to practical use.

I'm not sure what results could be achieved, as I'm not an experienced activist or politician. But it is an interesting thing to consider.

[Tamazon]

Did you look at some of the other videos from the same guy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K8XjObzfXM&watch_response

Kick her in the face?! :jaw-dropp

Wow, it's like some kind of sick, disturbing comedy routine but the comic is actually being serious. I agree that he needs to be stopped and thrown into jail immediately.

[Lisa Simpson]

Sorry...I merged two threads together that didn't belong. Blame krelnik.

[krelnik]

Yes, blame me.

[Crundy]

Damn you Krelnik. I get private messages and think I have friends, but nooo...
It's just you.

[Crundy]

Hmm, www.stoptoddbentley.com anyone?

Edit: Actually, that's still available. I guess I should snatch it before Bentley's people do.

[Crundy]

Done. If anyone is going to start that up then let me know and I can transfer the domain.

[Crundy]

Oh, just spotted this:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb3543/is_200104/ai_n8359026?tag=rbxcra.2.a.1
Bentley presents himself as a reformed bad boy who was once jailed for 18 months for "crimes of an assault nature" and breaking-and-entering in his hometown of Gibsons, B.C. The truth is, his most serious crime was more heinous: the molestation of a seven-year-old boy.
I would have thought that makes him more than qualified to be a Christian Minister?

[dustbunny]

I've just watched some more of this abomination from Tamazons link. What's even sicker is the laughter coming from some audience members. He should be placed in some stocks like the olden days and publically humiliated for the danger that he is. Mind you stocks aren't good enough for this guy.

May Krelnik has a point. Even devout christians find him a threat. Differing on certain beliefs and opinions could be put to one side in the fight against Todd Bentley. The sooner the better. :mad:

[BillC]

Why is this man not being prosecuted? Were he to attack a member of the public, let alone a seriously ill member of the public, in that manner, there is no doubt that a prosecution would result. Why is it that if you're a member of his congregation, there is suddenly no criminality involved? In the UK for example, one cannot consent to be assaulted: the fact that the patient had gone up on stage would not create a strong legal defence for Bentley. Is it different in the US?

[steve s]

What's even sicker is the laughter coming from some audience members.

My thoughts exactly. I expected to see the audience cringe. But they looked like they were laughing at some harmless jokes.

I saw the vid of Bentley claiming he kicked the woman in the face. But is there any video of it? Personally I think he's full of hot air. Like his claim that someones tumor jumped out of his leg. Guys like Bentley know they have the audience in the palm of their hand and they can get away with anything, however ridiculous.

Steve S.

[dustbunny]

BillC......When I've sat and thought about it I've wondered if it wasn't a set up. I could be completely wrong but I'm sorry if I was a member of that mans family I would want something done about TB. I can't understand why his believers didn't turn away. Like you say if you attack a member of the public in that way you'd be prosecuted. There's no need for a devil, evil walks the earth and enjoys every minute of it.

steve s......How brainwashed are his followers to even attempt to find anything humorous about it. When I watched the video clip about the tumor jumping out of his leg I was waiting for the punchline, I thought ok any minute now he's gonna let us know it was a joke. TB is nothing more than a dangerous monstrosity. That kind of behaviour should never be allowed. Why should someone, believer or not, have to suffer permanent injury or death before he's stopped.

[blutoski]

I'm not sure what results could be achieved, as I'm not an experienced activist or politician. But it is an interesting thing to consider.

It's not a new debate, and worth of a seperate thread. It is, however, an exhausting debate since people feel very strongly about it.

My personal opinion is that organized skepticism has to decide whether it wants to be a club for like-minded individuals, or if it wants to achieve external goals. To do the latter, skeptics need to forge alliances with those who are religious but reasonable.

Dr. Eugenie Scott pointed out that the NCSE would achieve nothing without the assistance of local clergy.

Healthfraud is another example: something like 95% of psychiatrists are religious, and they all feel threatened by the menace that is Scientology, by faith healers, and by sCAMmers like TrueHope. Some of the most effective participants in anti-healthfraud fighting are religious.

The website [cultwatch (http://www.cultwatch.com/)] is run by Christians.

However, this is probably not on-topic for the thread.

[MattusMaximus]

This clown needs to be stopped. He is dangerous - period. What's worse is that he is doing this crazy-ass preaching in the vein of being young, hip, and popular (just see how he's dressed, with the tatoos, rock music, etc) - so this makes younger people much more likely to listen to him, I think.

On the side topic of working with religious folks, I recommend doing it. I really like what Hal Bidlack said about this issue at TAM4, and I think he nailed it. In short, the atheists among us should seek common ground and work towards common goals with religious skeptics. Many skeptics will never agree with everything believed by many religious folk (and vice versa), but forging alliances - however temporary - is a useful thing.

United we stand, divided we fall.

And it just might lead to us realizing that the people on the other side (atheist vs. theist) really aren't that bad after all ;)

Note: This isn't just opinion on my part, as I have had experience working with religious folks (I'm an atheist) on dealing with creationists in my neck of the woods. It's amazing the things you can accomplish when you focus on making pragmatic alliances as opposed to getting too hung up on every little thing you don't agree on.

ETA: Should this thread be in the Paranormal or Religion section?

[dustbunny]

Well said MattusMaximus. The thread was originally in the paranormal part but I think administrators thought it was best suited here. Even politicians and lawyers, etc, band together sometimes. We all have our own beliefs but when someone like Todd Bentley comes along we should fight together and put aside our differences for the greater good. He really is a dangerous menace that needs stopping before true tragedy happens.

[TiaH]

Oh, just spotted this:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb3543/is_200104/ai_n8359026?tag=rbxcra.2.a.1

I would have thought that makes him more than qualified to be a Christian Minister?

These people use their shady pasts coupled with repentance and "forgiveness" to justify their sadistic behavior. They repented and god "forgave" them. And then they get nitwits to PAY them for the privilege of being abused and duped! It is really hard for me to feel sorry for people who subject themselves to frauds and charlatans. If I want to see hatred, bigotry and abuse, I know right where to look! The nearest religious institution.

[INRM]

It looks like he's going for Peter Popoff and Benny Hinn on steroids.

INRM

[MattusMaximus]

It looks like he's going for Peter Popoff and Benny Hinn on steroids.

INRM


My guess is that this creep will fill in the vacuum left behind when Benny Hinn and some other televangelists get what's coming to them from the ongoing government investigation of their "ministries".

Benny Hinn wasn't so sadistic though - at least he only hit people with his coat.

[Achán hiNidráne]

United we stand, divided we fall.

Right, until the forces you unite with and have help gained dominance decide to turn on you. Then you fall just the same.

The enemy of my enemy is NOT my friend. I will be three days brain dead before I join up with the people who want to censor, imprison, and kill me in the name of their "Lord.":mad:

[dustbunny]

These people use their shady pasts coupled with repentance and "forgiveness" to justify their sadistic behavior. They repented and god "forgave" them. And then they get nitwits to PAY them for the privilege of being abused and duped! It is really hard for me to feel sorry for people who subject themselves to frauds and charlatans. If I want to see hatred, bigotry and abuse, I know right where to look! The nearest religious institution.

Good point. Why would anyone give a venomous sadist like Todd Bentley the time of day. The only reason I can think of for anyone to go to TB is absolute desperation. I can't imagine the fear and worry the victim had because to allow yourself to be subjected to a physical assault in that way doesn't make sense. To me TB is an empty, psychopathic parasite who feeds off peoples grief and desire to rid themselves of deadly and incurable illnesses. There's nothing righteous about this man just sheer evilness that he revels in using on others.

[James Fox]

Me thinks that what makes Todd so very dangerous is that he really thinks God talks to him with specific words and messages evidencing among other things a truly delusional state. I think Todd appears sincere in his videos, which again makes me all the more concerned that he is quite mentally ill and is taking others along for the ride. This man has considerable problems with impulse control issues, clearly enjoys being the center of attention, lacks normal empathy, and is constantly rationalizing his behaviors that fall outside understood norms. I hope his bazaar little corner of the fundamentalist Christian band wagon doesn’t go off the road with a lot of innocent passengers along for the ride.

[Kthulhut Fhtagn]

May Krelnik has a point. Even devout christians find him a threat. Differing on certain beliefs and opinions could be put to one side in the fight against Todd Bentley. The sooner the better. :mad:

Yes; the youtube channel everyone keeps linking to belongs to a pastor who believes the end-times is upon us.

[MattusMaximus]

Right, until the forces you unite with and have help gained dominance decide to turn on you. Then you fall just the same.

The enemy of my enemy is NOT my friend. I will be three days brain dead before I join up with the people who want to censor, imprison, and kill me in the name of their "Lord.":mad:


MAS, I'm not sure which Christians you deal with in your daily life, but the ones I know are, for the most part, pretty decent folk. I wouldn't paint with so broad a brush as to say that all Christians are the nutty, hardcore fundamentalist types. There are many that are pretty reasonable with whom you can work on certain issues, such as how I've helped deal with creationism in my neck of the woods.

For the record, I have no desire to make alliances with the nutters. I'm just sayin'...

[steve s]

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned is Bentley's criminal past. Specifically, a stint in jail for molesting a seven year-old boy. Bentley was 14 at the time so the records are sealed, but he later admitted to the crime.

http://www.charismamag.com/articles/index.php?id=7032

In a lengthy feature article published in the September 2002 issue of Charisma, Bentley, 26, acknowledged that at age 14, as a juvenile, he had been arrested for assault. A March 2001 story about him that was published in The Report--a secular, conservative political magazine published in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada--offered a similar report.

But The Report story backfired when the mother of the victim of the assault read the article and informed the magazine that Bentley's assault had been sexual and that he had molested her son, also a minor, at the time. Bentley served several months in jail for the crime, and five years afterward he gave his life to Christ. Today his crusades around the world are producing reports of healing miracles and thousands of salvations.

Bentley did publicly acknowledge the sexual assault during the summer of 2001 while leading a conference and crusade in Kewlona, British Columbia.

So he's not only violent, he's a violent sexual offender. Perfect resume for an evengelist.

Steve S

[HasKey]

It doesn't amaze me that HE exists, but it does cause me to shake my head at the human race that so many follow and (presumably) pay the man to watch him "perform."

As my wife is fond of saying, "The masses are asses."

Haskey

[dustbunny]

Thanks for the link steve s, I had no idea. How much worse can it get? NEVER should a convicted child molester be allowed near any child again, let alone have his own. I cannot understand the thinking of people that admire the TB's of the world. After what I've just read the TB faithful should be ashamed for ever turning to him. What message does it send when someone who's scarred a childs mind forever is allowed to spue his lies and deception and get away with it, richer for it in the process. I'm truly shocked.

[geni]

Ran across this blog post by one of his supporters:

http://normallifeadventure.blogspot.com/2008/08/wikipedia-todd-bentley-and-faith.html

Worrying.

[RenaissanceBiker]

Mr. Bentley has suspended his ministry indefinitely.
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=732617&p=1

[TheDaver]

“By consorting with another woman”

LMFAO

Good riddance.

[Jimbo07]

Mr. Bentley has suspended his ministry indefinitely.
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=732617&p=1

Well, you beat me to the quote...

... and I'd only just started hearing about the guy. :(

Oh well, perhaps he'll visit his wrath upon the world when the year is up...

:boxedin:

[RenaissanceBiker]

I have no doubt that he will be back after his divorce is final and he does his pennance. He will return reformed and wiser, but with no new job skills and no other way to pay his bills.