I still don’t know what is more outrageous: That programmers allow such insanity on Christian television, or that gullible Christians fall for it year after year.

During the PBS telethon I wondered why Christian networks couldn’t simply offer music, books or other premiums instead of resorting to the typical arm-twisting and tear-jerking that we’ve come to expect.

We need an overhaul in this area. Somebody needs to lead the way in pioneering a new style of on-air fundraising that doesn’t treat people like brainless zombies…

Here are five of my least favorite fundraising tactics. I wish all of them could be banned from the airwaves.

Gimmick #1: The magic Bible verse… The evangelist quotes Psalm 37:37 and then announces that if you will send $37.37…

Gimmick #2: The urgent, time-is-running-out plea…Only those who give in this holy, anointed moment will receive a supernatural blessing in return…

Gimmick #3: The memorialized gift…people could buy prayer coverage, sort of like a spiritual insurance policy…

Gimmick #4: The debt-breaking anointing…If they do this, God will wipe out their debts, no questions asked…

Gimmick #5: The Day of Atonement offering…God blesses anything and everything that has the word “Israel” attached to it…

Let’s stop the hypnotism, the guilt manipulation and the high-pressure gimmicks. It’s time to reclaim our lost credibility…

J. Lee Grady is contributing editor of Charisma.

Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/29088-christian-tvs-all-time-worst-fundraising-gimmicks#ixzz0wTnGJRWb