Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 1, 1994                   TAG: 9404290095
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Cody Lowe
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FAITH WILL ALWAYS BE FOR SALE AS LONG AS THE GULLIBLE BUY IT

"It's mystical in its power," the announcer proclaimed.

On the screen was a cheap-looking pendant, in the transparent plastic center of which was locked a tiny mustard seed.

Viewers of this religion-oriented channel were invited to consider Christ's comparison of the kingdom of God to mustard: "It is the smallest of seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."

Sure, that's it. My faith's been a little shaky. Doubt is creeping into my mind. What do I need? Of course, Mustard Seed Jewelry!

Who is promoting this stuff? Apparently the same people who believe late-night TV audiences - who were watching with me - will buy anything.

Religious people must have a reputation as particularly gullible.

You can understand that to a degree. After all, most religious expression involves faith - belief in things we can't see, touch, hear, taste or smell.

So, inevitably, some people are going to be confused about where to draw the line. They will believe television preachers who appear to prosper because of a powerful faith in God. Some of those viewers didn't think about the fact that those preachers prospered because naive people sent them lots of money without expecting anything - except a vague future miracle - in return.

They want to believe in a magically gift-giving God so much that they'll blame themselves when promised prosperity doesn't materialize - even after they've dutifully fulfilled their pledges of support to preachers wearing $1,000 suits, driving $50,000 cars and living in $500,000 houses.

Some of those must be the same people who are sending money to a North Carolina radio preacher who got a lot of attention lately by pointing to Barney the dinosaur as a minion of Satan.

Barney, it turns out, "leads kids into a world of miracles," the Rev. Joseph Chambers was quoted as saying in a news report.

Barney also teaches the radical hymn "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family." The purple guy also has the gall to admonish children to "accept everyone as they are."

Now, it's possible to be deceived, but "miracles," "love," "acceptance" sound like concepts from another source called "The Bible.''

Chambers doesn't make the connection.

Barney, Chambers reports, is an unfit role model for kids who should be imitating "real-life heroes" - perhaps like himself. God forbid Barney should get through to some kids with that "love everybody" line. They might BELIEVE somebody could unconditionally love them back! What could the Barney promoters be thinking?

Such nonsense as Barney-bashing and "mystical mustard seed" is grounded in ignorance and paranoia and greed.

Find the right target - in this case, a vulnerable religious audience - play on some audience members' fears or lack of understanding, and watch the money fly right out of their pockets.

The plot is as old as religion itself. Buy a talisman, get a reward. Never notice when the holy man - or woman - has no clothes. Trust me, I wouldn't lie to you.

The lines are working as well as ever.