Jessie+S’s+2016+OpEd+Article

Illustration by Jessie Snyder

Dear televangelists (Mike Murdock, Creflo Dollar, Joel Olsteen, etc.),

Don't get me wrong, I am not against religion in any way. However, I am strongly against the manipulation of innocent people for your own malicious intent. I am tired of seeing your botox filled faces and Armani suits on my television. You are using the word of god for your own greed and self-gain and you are doing it to people who are only looking to become closer to god or seeking help.

Everything you stand for is the epitome of why people think religion is corrupt. It is people like you that give people a bad interpretation of religion and turn so many away from the thought of it. Religion is about selfless charity and learning to become a better person which is the complete opposite of what you stand for. Your interpretation of religion is purely for selfish reasons. Do you even believe in god? Do you even read the bible? Or are you just pretending because you like the money?

You claim that by giving you money all of my problems will magically disappear. You claim that by giving you money will get rid of my debt because i would be giving to charity and god will give me something in return. Do you even know how debt works? And the worst part is that people actually buy it.

And no, Creflo Dollar, I will not give you $5,000 to aid it your G650 private jet fund or to help build your second ten-million dollar mansion.

Who do you think you are? Its people like you that give religion a bad name.

Why don't you give me money? Why don't you help me further my college education? Why don't you go out and help children in third world countries instead of buying another mansion? Or are you afraid of getting your Armani suit dirty?