THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 31, 1996 TAG: 9610310446
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Metro Briefs
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 29 lines
A small group of protesters waved posters at motorists passing the Founders Inn on Wednesday, complaining about televangelist Benny Hinn and the Christian Coalition.
The protest was organized by Rick Johnston and Wholeness in Christ Ministries of Orange City, Fla. Johnston has picketed outside Hinn's Florida church several times since June, and says he was arrested by Hinn's brother, a deputy sheriff, while on public property.
Hinn's crusades draw thousands of people. He will hold one at the Christian Broadcasting Network in January. He is at the Founders Inn this week for a closed meeting with his ``prayer partners,'' which a Hinn spokesman said were contributors to his ministry.
Hinn is best known for claiming to heal people, and for causing people to fall down or faint, which is known as being ``slain in the spirit.''
He has been targeted in recent years by several cult-watching and orthodox Christian organizations that say his teachings do not stick to the Bible and that he is getting rich by soliciting donations.
The protesters also object to the political bent of the Christian Coalition and Pat Robertson.
KEYWORDS: PROTEST FOUNDERS INN by CNB