Originally posted by halfoldman
US-based Christian pastor Todd Bentley has been refused entry into the UK.
www.guardian.co.uk...

Many articles refer to his controversial methods of "healing" and "Holy Spirit baptisms", which he himself admits and recognizes as impromptu reactions to messages from God's "Holy Ghost".

Personally I think there's no difference to Pastor Bentley's methods and other forms of faith healing, which can prove just as harmful.

The official reason is that Bentley (apparently Canadian born) has a criminal history.

I think it's a demonstration of atheist rule from the UK, who think that kicking people in the face, punching them and slamming their limbs on the floor can not be a spiritual experience.

It's also presumptuous to say that a violent, money-grabbing thug cannot be a good preacher.
If one starts questioning religious leaders along those lines it's a slippery slope to atheism.

If people are willing to follow Pastor Bentley it's their right, and the UK government should not intervene, and allow a special pass for religious leaders of all denominations, no matter what their scandals or strange behavior by willing devotees.

edit on 24-8-2012 by halfoldman because: (no reason given)

‘And I’m thinking why is the power of God not moving? And He said, “Because you haven’t kicked that woman in the face.”

‘And there is this older lady worshipping right in front of the platform and the Holy Spirit spoke to me. The gift of faith comes on me. He said, “Kick her in the face with your biker boot.” I inched closer and I went bam! And just as my boot made contact with her nose, she fell under the power of God.’

His planned visit had sparked alarm among those critical of his controversial style of preaching, which he has said often involves "curing" people of diseases, including cancer, by means of physical force. In various videos posted online, the self-styled "preacher with the tattoos" claims he once choked a man to health; in one he claims he banged a woman's legs "up and down on the platform like a baseball bat" until she was miraculously healed. In one typical claim, he is filmed telling an audience: "And the Holy Spirit spoke to me, the gift of faith came on me. He said, 'kick her in the face with your biker boot'. I inched closer and I went like this – bam! And just as my boot made contact with her nose, she fell under the power of God."

Bentley was criticized in mainstream media and on internet blogs for occasional violence done to participants,[23][24][25] in the tradition of Smith Wigglesworth.[26][27] Todd Bentley was known to forcefully kick, hit, smack or knock over participants. In one incident, a man was knocked over and lost a tooth. In another, an elderly woman was intentionally kicked in the face. Bentley held that the Holy Spirit led him to such actions,[24][25] saying that those incidents were taken out of context and adding that miracles were happening simultaneously.[23]