- Peter Popoff
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Peter Popoff Born July 2, 1946
Berlin, GermanyOccupation Scam Artist Years active 1977 - present Religion Charismatic Christian Spouse Elizabeth Popoff (1970 - present) Children Amy, Nickolas and Alex Peter Popoff (born July 2, 1946) is a German-born American faith healer and the president of Peter Popoff Ministries. He conducts revival meetings and has a national television program. A popular minister in the 1980s, he went bankrupt in 1987 after skeptics James Randi and Alexander (Alec) Jason [1] exposed his method of receiving information about revival attendees from his wife via an in-ear receiver.[2][3] According to Fred M. Frohock, "[t]he case of Peter Popoff is one of many egregious instances of fake healing".[4] Popoff has since returned to public ministry.
Contents
Early life
Peter Popoff was born in Berlin, Germany on July 2, 1946. He emigrated to the United States with his family in 1950. His father George, a Pentecostal minister and pastor, toured the U.S. preaching in some of the nation's largest churches. He began a radio ministry and also pastored several churches in the late 1950s and 1960s.
Peter traveled with his family much of the time, finishing high school by correspondence school. He also helped his father with the preaching and radio ministry.
In 1965, Peter began attending Chaffey College in Alta Loma, California, and then transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara. Upon graduation, he felt the call to ministry. He did graduate work at San Jose State University, and then married Elizabeth in 1971. Together, they traveled as itinerant evangelists for 5 years. When their daughter Amy was born, they bought a house in Upland, California and Peter began a radio ministry.
James Randi
During his appearances at church conventions in the 1970s, Popoff routinely and accurately stated the home addresses and specific illnesses of his audience members, a feat he allowed them to believe was due to divine revelation and "God given ability".[5] In 1986 when members of CSICOP reported that Popoff was using a radio to receive messages, Popoff denied it and said the messages came from God.[6] At the time of his popularity, skeptic groups across the United States printed and handed out pamphlets explaining how Popoff's feats could be done.[2] Popoff would tell his audience that the pamphlets were "tools of the devil".[2]
Popoff's earlier claims were debunked in 1986 when noted skeptic James Randi and his assistant Steve Shaw researched Popoff by attending revival meetings across the country for months. Randi asked investigator and crime scene analyst Alexander Jason [1] for technical assistance and he was able to use a high-tech (at the time) computerized scanner during a Popoff appearance in San Francisco. Jason identified and intercepted the radio transmissions[7] that were being sent by Peter's wife Elizabeth Popoff who was backstage reading information which she and her aides (Reeford Sherrill) had gathered from earlier conversations with members of the audience. Popoff would listen to these promptings with an in-ear receiver and repeat what he heard to the crowd.[8]
Randi then went on to plant stooges in the audience, including a man dressed as a woman pretending to have uterine cancer, of which 'she' was 'cured'.[9] Jason produced video segments showing several Popoff "healings" which included the previously secret audio. After these were shown on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Popoff's popularity and viewing audiences declined sharply.[2] In September 1987, sixteen months after the Carson airing, Popoff declared bankruptcy, with more than 790 creditors having claims against him.[10]
As Randi explained in The Faith Healers, he originally took his research to the United States Attorney's office, but never heard back from them.[2] This led Johnny Carson to invite Randi on the show to explain how Popoff operated. Popoff at first denied that he used the tactics Randi claimed, even asserting "NBC hired an actress to impersonate Mrs. Popoff on a 'doctored' videotape."[2] However, as the media pressed with more questions, "on day three Reverend Popoff admitted the existence of the radio device, claiming, that 'almost everybody' knew about the 'communicator.' And, he added, 'My wife occasionally gives me the name of a person who needs special prayers'."[2] Randi appeared on CNN prior to this, claiming Popoff used a transmitter, but Popoff said this was false and he received the information from God.[2]
Popoff's shows also featured audience members who were brought on stage in wheelchairs and then rose dramatically to walk without support. These were some of Popoff's most incredible "healings", but what believing audience members and television viewers did not know was that wheelchairs were used by Popoff to seat people who were already able to walk.[11]
Popoff wrote several paperback books in the early 1980s that were published by Faith Messenger Publications. He was also known for collecting donations to be sent to the Soviet Union, which earned him a profit.[2]
In 1991, the NOVA episode "Secrets of the Psychics" aired footage of Popoff with his wife's radio transmission dubbed in. Since then, that episode was released on video to teach critical thinking.[12]
Resurgence
In 1998 The Washington Post reported that Popoff was making a recovery, and that "Popoff is seeking to jump-start his ministry by repackaging himself for an African American audience, buying time on the Black Entertainment Television network".[13] Consequently, Popoff, along with Don Stewart and Robert Tilton, received "criticism from those who say that preachers with a long trail of disillusioned followers have no place on a network that holds itself out as a model of entrepreneurship for the black community."[13] Popoff's infomercials can be seen late nights and early mornings in the US and Canada on BET, The Travel Channel, The Learning Channel (TLC), Global Television, TV One, The Word Network and Vision TV.[14] This includes television in Australia on Nine, in the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.[14]
In February 2007, Inside Edition broadcast a feature on Popoff's continued faith healing and Miracle Spring Water. The show claimed that Popoff's new television programs feature him "healing the sick" in a manner identical to his method prior to James Randi's exposé. The investigation, led by Matt Meagher, featured clips from The Tonight Show episode, an interview with Randi, and Inside Edition seeking comment from Popoff.[15] Meagher confronted Popoff as he got into his Porsche, but his microphone was damaged as Popoff attempted to shut the door of the car.[15] Asking Popoff why he took thousands of dollars from a desperate married couple, Popoff refused to answer questions and declined to be interviewed. The interview ended with Randi saying "flim flam is his profession; that's what he does best. He's very good at it, and naturally he's going to go back to it."[15]
In May 2007, ABC's 20/20 focused on Popoff's comeback and explored the lives of a few people who felt cheated.[16] Various media outlets have run stories critical of Popoff's comeback.[17][18][19][20] In July 2008, a Nanaimo, British Columbia resident was reimbursed by Popoff after the woman took her concerns over his fundraising public.[21]
In 2008, the UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom gave serious warnings to broadcasters for transmitting Popoff's material, which the regulator felt promoted his products "in such a way as to target potential susceptible and vulnerable viewers". These programs included offers of free Miracle Manna that allegedly provide health and financial miracles. If viewers asked for the so-called manna, they were subsequently sent letters asking for money.[22]
In 2009, advertisements appeared in the UK press offering a free cross which contained "blessed water" and "holy sand". The blessed water was supposedly from a source near Chernobyl (the site of a nuclear accident). Animals drinking from this source were purportedly free from any radiation sickness. The cross also bore the inscription 'Jerusalem'. Requests for donations accompanied the cross and follow-up requests for money from Popoff were also sent out.
Popoff was designated by the James Randi Educational Foundation, (JREF) to be one of the recipients of the 2011 Pigasus Award, along with Mehmet Oz from (The Dr. Oz Show) and CVS Pharmacy [1]. The JREF website states, "In paid infomercials on BET, Popoff offers “supernatural debt relief” in exchange for offerings of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. This business is so lucrative that according to recent IRS documents, Popoff took in $23.5 million and paid himself and his immediate family more than $1 million in one year alone." [23]
“Debt cancellation is part of God’s plan,” according to Popoff. His resurgence in the media has now moved to credit counseling. Credit.com began an investigation into this new venture. They found that he is participating in mail fraud.[24]
Financial details
At Popoff's peak in 1987, according to James Randi, he took in $4.3 million a month.[25] After his exposure on the Tonight Show he declared bankruptcy in 1987.[10]
In 2003 Popoff's ministry received over $9.6 million and by 2005 the amount had risen to over $23 million. In that year he and his wife were paid a combined total of nearly $1 million, while two of his children were receiving over $180,000 each.[26] Some reporters are urging those who have donated money to Popoff in hopes of receiving "miracles" to report to the Attorney General in their state.[5]
Publications
- 3 Steps to Answered Prayer. Faith Messenger Publications (1981) ISBN 0938544101 (91 pages)
- Calamities, Catastrophes, and Chaos. Faith Messenger Publications (1980) ISBN 0938544012
- Dreams: God's Language for Life More Abundantly. Publisher: People United For Christ (1989)ASIN: B000NSMW2S (88 pages)
- Forecasts for 1987. (1984) ASIN: B000B8K0MY (33 page booklet)
- God Has Promised You Divine Wealth
- God's Abundant Blessings
- Prosperity Thinking
- Releasing the Power of the Holy Spirit in Your Life
- Guaranteed Answered Prayer
- Demons At Your Doorstep. Faith Messenger Publications (May 1982) ISBN 0938544136 (50 pages)
- Six Things Satan Uses to Rob You of Gods Abundant Blessings. Faith Messenger Publications (April 1982) ISBN 093854411X (93 pages)
See also
- Christian evangelist scandals
References
- ^ a b Randi, James (2008-02-22). "James Randi Educational Foundation daily blog for February 22, 2008". http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/166-swift-february-22-2008.html#i7. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Randi, James (1989). The Faith Healers. Prometheus Books. pp. 2, 147. ISBN 978-0879755355.
- ^ Blackmore, Susan J. (2000). The Meme Machine. Oxford University Press. p. 193.
- ^ Frohock, Fred M. (2000). Lives of the Psychics: The Shared Worlds of Science and Mysticism. University of Chicago Press. pp. 76–77.
- ^ a b[Full citation needed]Friedman, Jason (2006-05-08). "Reverend Rip-Off". WDAF Fox 4 News.
- ^ "TV EVANGELIST DENIES USE OF RADIO IN HEALING SERVICE". Philadelphia Inquirer. July 15, 1986. http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/PI/lib00187,0EB29B46A4187CFC.html. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
- ^ Amazing Signs (2008-09-20). "False Prophet And Faith Healer -- Peter Popoff". http://amazingsigns.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=70. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
- ^ http://www.lysator.liu.se/skeptical/newsletters/BASIS/BASISOCT.92
- ^ http://casa.colorado.edu/~dduncan/pseudoscience/PeterPopoff.htm
- ^ a b Dart, John (September 26, 1987). "Evangelist Popoff Off Air, Files Bankruptcy Petitions". Los Angeles Times. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58706407.html?dids=58706407:58706407&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Sep+26%2C+1987&author=JOHN+DART&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Evangelist+Popoff+Off+Air%2C+Files+Bankruptcy+Petitions&pqatl=google.
- ^ Seckel, Al (1987). "God's Frequency is 39.17 MHz: The Investigation of Peter Popoff". Science and the Paranormal. http://www.skeptictank.org/popoff2.htm. Retrieved 2006-05-06.
- ^ NOVA Teachers (19 October 1993). "Secrets of the Psychics. Program Overview". PBS. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/programs/2012_psychics.html.
- ^ a b "White Preachers Born Again on Black Network; TV Evangelists Seek to Resurrect Ministries". The Washington Post. September 3, 1998. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-669259.html?refid=gg_x_02. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
- ^ a b "Peter Popoff Worldwide TV Schedule". Peter Popoff Ministries. Archived from the original on 2008-04-05. http://web.archive.org/web/20080405004116/http://www.peterpopoff.org/tv.php. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
- ^ a b c "A Profitable Prophet". Inside Edition. February 27, 2007. http://www.insideedition.com/ourstories/reports/story.aspx?storyid=639. Retrieved 2007-03-01.
- ^ Avila, Jim (11 May 2007). "Selling Salvation?". 20/20. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=3164858&page=1. Retrieved 2007-03-01.
- ^ "Miracle Water: Ripoff or For Real Part II". KIDK. November 5, 2007. http://www.kidk.com/news/local/11041621.html. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ "Prophet or profit?". KOMO-TV. October 9, 2007. http://www.komotv.com/news/10404072.html. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ "Prophet or profit? Televangelist makes comeback". KATU. October 10, 2007. http://www.katu.com/news/10422457.html. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ Sedensky, Matt (21 July 2007). "Abracadabra! The fraud is exposed". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/living/article/236959. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ Bellaart, Darrell (July 21, 2007). "Televangelist gives back woman's cash: Nanaimo resident was concerned about Peter Popoff's fundraising methods". Nanaimo Daily News. http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/story.html?id=c646f380-3796-41a6-821d-5e29c54e0b98. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/prog_cb/obb117/ Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin
- ^ Crabtree, Sadie (April 1, 2011), "The 5 Worst Promoters of Nonsense"
- ^ Maag, Christopher (21 September 2011). "Scam Everlasting: After 25 Years, Debunked Faith Healer Still Preaching Debt Relief Scam". http://www.credit.com/blog/2011/09/scam-everlasting-after-25-years-debunked-faith-healer-still-preaching-debt-relief-scam/. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
- ^ James Randi in a speech made at the Australian Skeptics Convention in 2000. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3178853788754765978 (at 50:57 mark)
- ^ "Selling Salvation?". ABC News. May 11, 2007. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=3164858&page=2. Retrieved 20011-4-20.
Further reading
- Smith, Jonathan C. (2010). Pseudoscience and Extraordinary Claims of the Paranormal: A Critical Thinker's Toolkit. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 289–.
- Nickell, Joe (2007). Adventures in Paranormal Investigation. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 95–102.
External links
Official and critical
- Peter Popoff Ministries – Official website (Warning: sound)
- More of Popoff's Secrets by James Randi (James Randi Educational Foundation, 2007)
- Listing on the West Australian ScamNet
Media
- Inside Edition from James Randi Educational Foundation, 2007
- A video presentation by Randi, the second half of which shows Popoff's use of an-ear radio (Windows Media format)
- Video with fm interception
Categories:- American television evangelists
- Faith healers
- Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity
- Religious scandals
- 1946 births
- Living people
- Religious hoaxes
- American fraudsters
- Hoaxes in the United States
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