derek dyson, tulsa (10/5/2007 2:34:53 AM)

Oral's Magical Touch: successfully marketing your faith healing business.

By: Derek Dyson

In 1958, Mary Vonderscher was coming to her wits end. She had been diagnosed with spinal cancer years before and had been continuously undergoing medical treatment in attempt to cure her ailment. Although she had been seeing signs of improvement through her therapy and medication, it was not happening as quickly as she had wanted. After hearing of the miraculous faith healings performed by the traveling televangelist Oral Roberts, Mary decided to seek out a higher power to cure her cancer. Meeting the Roberts congregation late in the year, Mary made her donation to the cause and was then afforded the anointed touch of Oral himself. Mary used the customary Pentecostal screeching and uncontrollable body movements to bring on the healing as Oral tapped her on the forehead yelling "Through the Power of Christ!" as she fell into the expecting arms of the "catchers". Mary went home that day feeling alive with the Holy Spirit and thought she had been completely healed of her ailment. She continually wrote to the Roberts organization sending money and telling them how thankful she was. When they returned to her home town nearly one month later they invited her to come and give a testimonial. In the tape Mary appears happy and energetic explaining how god had touched her through Oral and how magnificent it was. Less than 12 hours after leaving the taping, Mary lay dead in her home in Burbank, her body no longer able to fight the cancer alone. One can only wonder how much longer she could have lived if she had continued to take her medication and visit her doctor.

Much like this story, there are at least 4 other cases where Oral "healed" diabetic patients who then stopped taking insulin and subsequently died within days of their supposed healing. There are multiple incidents where terminally ill patients were brought in by ambulance for dramatic effect, who would then die on the set because their bodies were not able to cope with the traumatic situations that would arise. With Orals many supposed "resurrections" one must wonder why he never raised these people from the dead on national television. It's not too difficult to see the dangers of such superstition. What could possibly drive someone to believe that they can heal the sick with a single touch, or speak medically of a condition that they have absolutely no classical training in? Lets first look at Oral Roberts as a person and then you can come to your own conclusions as to why he would do such a thing.

In the early 1940's Granville Oral Roberts started preaching the good word to all that would listen in a sort of traveling tent revival that would move up and down the Mid-West performing miraculous faith "healings" and bringing people to Christ. By the 1970's Oral had amassed a $500 million empire that had been centered around the newest and most productive means of marketing, the television. Oral used this means of communication to reach the pocketbooks of millions of viewers across the globe. This furthered his empire, eventually leading to the construction the "city of faith" right here in Tulsa, OK. This multi-million dollar piece of real-estate was comprised of an Evangelical College, and a now defunct 30 story hospital and 20 story medical research center. With the failure of Orals hospital in the near future, he saw the need for additional funding. It would appear that with all of the miraculous faith healing being done, he must have diminished the market of paying sick patients that would need real medical attention, causing his hospital to go under. Another humorous explaination could be that he recieved some bad financial advice from God in one of his many one on one conversations. We may never know which it was, but what we do know is that Oral had yet to diffuse his greatest asset, leading to an appeal for money that could not be ignored.

On January 4th, 1987 Oral appeared to his vast TV audience, eyes already shrink wrapped in

derek dyson, tulsa (10/5/2007 2:38:55 AM)

continued*

tears, proclaiming that if he were unable to raise the sum of $8 million by the 1st of March, god himself was going to take Oral from this earth prematurely. Oral then started a mass mailing campaign and televangical tyrant that eventually caught the eyes of the National Press. In a 1987 issue of Time magazine, an article on Roberts is headlined "Your money or his life", with the author pointing out the various absurdities in Orals antics. Oral eventually got the money he had asked for and was not murdered by god.

What is it about these men that drive them to the faith healing business? Well considering that Oral needed merely $8 million in 1987 to be spared gods wrath, one should wonder why he didn't simply sell of some of his personal real-estate to meet the financial needs of the empire. Oral surely could have raised most of the funds by selling some of his various homes in Beverly Hills, Palm Springs and Tulsa, or possibly putting some of his prize cattle up for sale. The two winter homes in California alone could have raised a whopping $1.2 million if the city of faith really needed the money. All in all, Oral didn't need to spend his own money (although every cent he had ever made was coming from his faith-healing marketing campaign) because he had millions of god-fearing believers out there willing to empty their pockets to ensure their seat next to the almighty.

It should be said that of all the supposed "healings" performed by Oral over the last 50 years, not a single one of these instances have ever been verified by medical science. Oral continuously drew attention to himself by proclaiming such absurdities as "raising the dead" or witnessing a 900 foot tall Jesus lift "the city of faith" into the Tulsa skyline proclaiming "see how easy it is for me to lift it Oral?". This drew many skeptics to the great state of Oklahoma, many of which followed him across the nation to witness his trickery. They would then follow up on the patients that he had "healed" to track their progress. Allen Spraggett, a journalist that followed Orals crusade of healing throughout the eighties reported that although the Roberts officials had publicly claimed hundreds of healings to their television audience while he was with them, there had not been one cure administered in that time. Journalists and scientists spent countless hours on the subject and still could not come up with a single verifiable case of a miraculous healing. Who needs evidence when you have faith?

It is absurd to believe that a man such as Oral Roberts is anything more than a charlatan. He used the same gimmicks and tricks that any supposed psychic would use to appeal to his audience and then packaged his "miracles" in a neatly marketed bundle that could be shipped all across the nation. This man amassed millions of dollars pretending to heal the sick, which in many cases would lead to their death when they decided to forfiet medical attention in light of their supposed healing. This is but one example of what a "man of god" can truly accomplish when given the right resources and the ability to devoid his own conscience. This is religion at its best.

I will close with an obvious question for those of you who still believe in faith healing. Why doesn't god heal amputees?

You can comment on this essay and read more like it on my blog. Search Derek Dyson in myspace and you'll find it.

Wilderness Voice, Jenks (10/5/2007 3:05:35 AM)

Amazing! Now I understand what the Prophet Balaam must have thought before he fell to the ground. (I am not referring to the angel with the flaming sword...)

DC alum, (10/5/2007 4:37:46 AM)

Why is this a news story? Students participated in campaigns? Fascinating. And who is this Cornell Cross guy? "High amount of stress"? An email and an opportunity to sign on to the campaign constitute a "high amount of stress"? I think he and Dyson must be cut from the same cloth.

The Oracle, Tulsa (10/5/2007 6:08:24 AM)

In the archives of the old Tulsa Tribune and Tulsa World there are accounts of people who were convinced by Oral that they were healed.These accounts include people who suffered injuries because they were convinced by Oral that they were healed.Some were injured because they became so emotional that they suffered physical and mental trauma.Oral said that he had a revelation that if he would build the City Of Faith hospital and medical center that it would be filled to overflowing.This empty giant edifice is a very visible testimony to the false revelation.Oral and Richard are excellent at seperating from their money.It is people that send them money that must bear most of the responsibility for this giant scam.Remember the constant and consistant plea,,,SEND MONEY

The Oracle, Tulsa (10/5/2007 6:16:02 AM)

The above sentence should read "Oral and Richard are excellent a seperating people from their money".

The Oracle, Tulsa (10/5/2007 6:18:24 AM)

The above sentence should read "Oral and Richard are excelllent at seperating people from their money"

DC Alumni, DC (10/5/2007 6:48:31 AM)

Cornell Cross is a "super" senior in the Government Department. He's a good guy, usually pretty involved with campaigns and the such. He's been pretty loud about his message since last spring (summer), so this is nothing new, only difference is, people are listening now. Dyson is a different story, he's always talking about something controversial, and people stopped listening a long time ago.

(I'm not judging one or the other, just addressing common paradigms)

fraygal, (10/5/2007 6:52:58 AM)

What about the expenditures? The "Campus Renovation Project", The Evelyn Roberts Scholarship" "The Making the Difference Telethon" and "Make Your Day Count Scholarship" Folks where is the money?

R.D. , Tulsa (10/5/2007 6:54:41 AM)

Sure Randi Miller didn't know. What a lying Collection Plate Plitician! She is absolutley disgusting! Remember this lying politician is behind the YES vote. We need to vote NO on this river tax. I wish she could see some pison time for this. If I could use my tax money on campaigns I could win everytime also. The freeloading churches need to pay taxes! They are ruining this country. Our troops don't have the equipment they need on the battle field and these freeloaders won't pay taxes. Support our troops TAX THE CURCHES NOW!

Not Shocked, Stillwater (10/5/2007 6:55:39 AM)

Why is this a news story? For the same reason Gene Stipe is on the front page. Fraud. Breaking the law. Only here, it's willfully breaking the law, over and over again, while claiming moral superiority over others.

fraygal, (10/5/2007 6:59:42 AM)

I dont understand why Lindsay did not have local stores sponsor her clothing? Was it necessary to have thousands of dollars of clothing charged to the television production center? This money should have gone to the students for learning and experience.

If that was the case she should have gone to Saks Fifth Avenue! Come on, if you are going to write it off go all the way. Cabana? Vera Wang? Dior? Once again folks where is the money?

The Oracle, Tulsa (10/5/2007 7:13:00 AM)

All churches should pay taxes on their vast enterprises.These tax exempt assets include opulent residences,airplanes,race horses,retail,and wholesale stores,expensive paintings,gold,silver,expense accounts,expensive automobiles,servants,clothing allowances,TV studios,and TV networks.ALL supported by poor people donations.What a joke and scam!!!!

fraygal, (10/5/2007 7:26:25 AM)

Whatever your salary is then your personal experiences should be paid out of your salary.

If there is a designated fund for your expenditures in your organization then just be honest and say for example "Travel fund to the bahamas"..at least your honest and we know where the money is going. One thing I can say about casinos...Play at your on risk..see they are honest.

fraygal, (10/5/2007 7:27:16 AM)

Tell me about Traco Advertising? Who are their clients. What do they do?

Big R, Tulsa (10/5/2007 7:53:48 AM)

Nothing that comes about from 6 Flags over Jesus surprises me anymore. My dad worked maintenance there, I've heard what the lofty Roberts clan is all about.

What's that song??? "Jesus walked on the water, and I know that is true. But something tells me that preacher man wanna do a lil walking too."

Big R, Tulsa (10/5/2007 8:10:59 AM)

Quote from story "Miller said she paid her campaign workers by the hour but would not have paid those who did not sign in.

She did not remember Cross or Thompson, both of whom said they were not paid."

I bet she would have remembered their names had they worked for Murphy Brothers.

Jim, (10/5/2007 8:15:26 AM)

Did you know that the Richard Roberts and his three daughters and about 8 students were planning a trip to California on Thursday and they cancelled at the last minute. It was another fund raiser of some sort.

Ex, (10/5/2007 8:30:24 AM)

Re #15..Traco is was set up as an ad agency back in the day. Ad agencies recieve a discount for buying air time and placing advertising. The thought was why not get the discount for all the TV time Oral was buying to broadcast his show. Why give the discount to a third party. It reduced cost in other words.

Disappointed Alum, Palestine, TX (10/5/2007 8:36:24 AM)

This is really sad. The whole time I went to school and worked at ORU I wondered about the money stuff. I tried to rationalize it by saying that its common for people in those kinds of positions to have large expense accounts and have planes and nice houses and such.

But then I remembered where so much of the money comes from for the Roberts. Most people in those kinds of positions are being paid by people that expect some service. So much of the money going to the Oral Roberts Ministries/University/Evangelical Association are coming from loving/supporting Christians that would be appalled to find out their money is padding Roberts' family wallets.

Brand news cars every other year, almost constant remodelling on their house (at the same time they were asking for money for new carpet in the dorms I might add), combined $657,000 salary PLUS all the other "benefits", etc, etc, etc.

I mean really. As the leaders of these organizations, THEY should be the first ones to go WITHOUT before asking other people for money.

It really saddens me that its come to this.

Campaigner, (10/5/2007 8:36:38 AM)

Government students from ORU worked on Coburn's campaign under Brooker; for which know his Son Brandon works for Senator Coburn. so what was that again about your mantra dr. brooker about" not getting involved in local campaigns" guess it worked out ok for the interest of your son.

Graychin, Eucha (10/5/2007 8:42:09 AM)

Direct participation by a not-for-profit organization (such as ORU) in a partisan political campaign would be sufficient cause for the IRS to remove their tax-exempt status. If the allegations are true, ORU's actions were very foolish. As usual, responsibility for the foolishness can be traced to the top. It seems that Richard just couldn't manage to stick to religion. He had to involve himself and his organization in politics too.

MR, (10/5/2007 8:50:23 AM)

derek, #1, one question, is this latest story about richard or oral? the oral needs money to stay alive story is 20 years old. are you that desperate to get your poorly written "essays" read or you myspace site visited. Alot has happened over the last 20 years if your looking to write stories. I find little factual evidence put plenty of personal opinion in your story. sounds like you simply have a craw about oral for whatever reason. are you trying to convince us that oral is deceived or deliberatly dishonest? just to qualify i am not a supporter of richard or lindsey roberts and do believe they should step down to preserve the integrity of this fairly good university but it seems to me you are glad to hear it so you can vent your opinions or perhaps simply get someone to read your "essay" or visit your myscape. my advise, stay a little more current in your stories. while you mention scientific follow ups to verify supposed healings i would be curious to have the names of those who died refusing medical aid. i'll stop now, it just amazes me to see how hypocritical people are and anxious to spew thier venom. you are not concerned nearly as much for those poor souls effected as you are happy to voice your opinion. of course, this is simply my opinion just like your "essay" is nothing more than yours.

The truth finally, (10/5/2007 9:04:57 AM)

This article is finally starting to hit on the truth. Lets summarizes , First what the students did for the Randi Miller campaign was no different than what was done on other political campaigns promoted by Brooker in previous years . As stated in the article, this was “service learning experience” for government students . The only difference is that this was a local election. ORU did not use its money to support the campaign. Students were asked to volunteer. Where the beef is as per a quote from Booker, But his (Brooker) mantra was always: "We don't do local elections.". He did not want to do a local election. Not that is was illegal, but he did not want to do it personally. The IRS makes no distinction between local or national elections. The IRS definition of participation in political campaigns relates to public endorsements , for example, had a sign on the Mabee Center marquee stated that ORU supports Randi Miller or if RR stated in a chapel service that ORU supports Randi Miller then that would be a violation of IRS code. However that never happened. RR has never given public support for one candidate over another when representing ORU. He may have privately supported Randi Miller, but it will never be shown that he gave public support. There are 3500 students that will say they never heard RR give support publicly to Randy Miller or any other candidate. I personally attended every chapel service during that time period. There was never not one time did he say or do anything that I construed as being a support of Randi Miller or anyone else. As a mater of fact it is just the opposite. He makes it very clear that he can not support a candidate. Mr. Brookers view of this situation is a result of his narrow uninformed interpretation of the IRS code trying to make it support his personal position that he did not want to work on local politics. He has crossed the line of professional conduct and has created a fire storm that has already created tremendous damage to the reputation of ORU.

Wipe the scales from your eyes, (10/5/2007 9:06:10 AM)

The voice of God just boomed down again (second time in a week. How lucky am I?) and told me to "Type". I said "But God, I don't have anything to type yet", and he said "Quit arguing with me and just do it." So here I am.

"Let he who is without sin cast he first stone" is it? I guess Richard must be Jesus afterall, since he's casting away over there too. Blackmail? Extortion? What money are they trying to get, Richard? Your 80 million dollars worth of debt? Some cheap buldings that are falling apart at the seams? And to you folks who don't realize how all that debt happened think 630K per year and perks. I bet it adds up to well over a million per year in the end. Who's really running a smear campaign here? Pull the plank out of your own eye my friend.

Not supposed to take things to court you say? Tell Richard, the plaintiff of plaintiffs, that. If you thought for one second that the board of regents would put a stop to this you must be out of your mind. Do you even know who most of those people are?

Verily I say unto you you're ignorant if you think somebody who doesn't believe in Richard doesn't believe in God. Either they get rid of that crook or the college falls. God will prevail but he's going to have to do it by force, cause Richard will never quit by choice. You can either help God's cause and get him out, or you can let God do it all by himself and go down with him. That's your choice. The board of regents have already made theirs.