Robbing people blind.. for Jesus, of course.

[The Grand Nudger]

You managed to squeeze in "con" and "spiritual gifts" in the same sentence. We're getting closer.

Prosperity doctrine, since you seem to be so blisteringly oblivious to the mechanism of the con, does rely on sacrifice. It does rely on "the truth of scripture". Adherents are urged to give increasingly larger sums of money away (to the church, of course) so that they might "reap what they sow". It's a hilarious form of sympathetic magic and perceived reciprocity (and reciprocity is one of the strongest cons, sympathetic magic one of the strongest human urges to the spiritual- double threat). The more you believe, and the more you give, the more "gifts" you will receive, both spiritual and material. They can and will quote chapter and verse (it's a big book remember, there's something for everyone), and they are true christians. I didn't realize that bigotry was a christian virtue (that's not entirely true, lol).

It's not entirely unthinkable that some of the people engaged in this con are engaged unwittingly, that they interpret the mansion and the Rolls as part and parcel of gods gifts. They spend a substantial amount of money on the church (which they see as a service to the parishioners) and charitable outreach programs (which offer credibility and further tax evasion opportunities). Many also perceive our government agencies as minions of the devil himself, and surrendering assets to them seems very much like allowing the serpent to seize the gifts of god (and what christian soldier would allow such a thing). That's the power of a deeply held faith.

When you itemize the reasons that you find their denomination to be absurd, you'll have a list that roughly parrots the reasons that I find your denomination to be absurd.

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"The teaching is often based on non-traditional interpretations of Bible verses,[3] the Book of Malachi often being given special attention.[10] Frequently quoted verses include:
Malachi 3:10: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (KJV).[6]
Matthew 25:14–30: the Parable of the talents[11]
John 10:10: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (KJV).[6]
Philippians 4:19: "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (KJV).[3]
3 John 2: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (KJV).[12]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology

Now, you may disagree with the "non-traditional" approach, but christianity itself is a "non-traditional" reading of hebrew scripture, so you don't even have a wobbly leg to stand on in that regard. Givin the interpretations used, is it any wonder that this particular denomination became a magnet for con artists? There is money to be had in faith, doubly so when there is money to be had both by faith, and from it (or so the faithful are led to believe).

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