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Conference hydra::dejavu

Title:Psychic Phenomena
Notice:Please read note 1.0-1.* before writing
Moderator:JARETH::PAINTER
Created:Wed Jan 22 1986
Last Modified:Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2143
Total number of notes:41773

1684.0. "Morris Cerullo" by WELLIN::NISBET (Let me see that Hymn sheet ...) Fri Jun 19 1992 09:13

    The envangelist Dr Morris Cerullo is 'playing' Earls Court, London,
    from June 21 thru 28. 

    Cerullo has posters all over London, with what some would say are
    outragous claims. Typical examples: Picture of a broken hearing aid with
    caption; "At Earls Court some people will hear the Bible for the first
    time". Other examples show pictures of white sticks or abandoned
    wheel-chairs.

    The advertising agency working on Cerullo's behalf claim that all his
    claims are substantiated, and therefore they feel justified in running
    the campaign as it stands. I haven't seen any scientific validation of
    Cerullo's claims. 

    The broadcasts will be transmitted live by the ASTRA satellite, who
    will be carrying a disclaimer to the effect of "Dr Cerullo may not
    substantiate any of the claims made on this broadcast" or similar. Dr
    Cerullo on BBCs Breakfast Time this morning said that he only agreed to
    the disclaimer on Astra's insistence.

    The BBC interviewer accused him of raising hopes of potentially
    gullible people, who may come along to Earls Court with unrealistic
    expectations. 

    The BBC also had an interviewee who made what in my opinion is the most
    interesting point. He pointed out that in Britain people who have
    serious disabilities will be registered and examined by their GP (GP ==
    General Practioniner == 'physician'), and therefore if they claim to have
    been cured by Cerullo's service, this will be demonstrable on repeat
    examination.

    I haven't heard of Cerullo before. His poster campaign and services are
    causing some controversy because this phenomenum is new in Britain.
    Other Evangelists as far as I'm aware have not made such outrages
    claims re: healing as Cerullo. Is he famous in America, or the ROTW?
    Has he been subject to serious scientific scrutiny?

    Dougie

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1684.1Con-artist inc.WELCLU::BROWNIThe Man who sold the WorldThu Jun 25 1992 16:3821
    Sounds like another one of those con artists to me. They always make
    money one of their prime concerns, taking it from people who often
    can't afford it, or who waste thier life savings on clutching at
    straws.
    
    There has been too many of these type of people exposed, and while not
    being rude to Americans, I really don't think the British public will
    fall for this bloke. The reports in the British media have already
    given cases of rough handling of wheelchair-bound people by security,
    no letting them get near the stage, etc.
    This one man, who has been in a wheelchair for years, offered him a
    challenge. If he could cure him, he'd give him $10,000. Of course, he
    kept his money (pretty safe bet). He was fobbed off with the excuse
    'For me to heal you, you have you believe in God'
    
    In a sentence, con, rip-off, get-rich quick merchant.
    
    As Bono of U2 put it so well, 'The God I believe in isn't short of cash
    mister'
    
    Ian
1684.2MorrisWELLIN::NISBETLet me see that Hymn sheet ...Thu Jun 25 1992 17:0412
    RE: .1
    
    He was on Breakast television a few days ago. I must say the man gives
    me the willies. He is very soft spoken and speaks in an almost
    monotone. 
    
    Are his performances free? I know he owns a worldwide satellite
    company, but I suddenly wondered if he was making mega bucks on his
    Earls Court appearance.
    
    dougie
    
1684.3:-)KERNEL::BELLHear the softly spoken magic spellFri Jun 26 1992 08:1511
>  He was on Breakast television a few days ago. I must say the man gives
>  me the willies. 

  One free with every performance ?

  "Cerullo reaches the parts that other clinics leave limp" ?

  <Sounds of Dougie rushing off to buy a ticket>

  Frank
1684.4Load of old toshWELCLU::BROWNIThe Man who sold the WorldFri Jun 26 1992 12:0212
    I think the actual performance is free to get in, but I've been told
    that there will be loads of 'bucket' collections inside. It'll be like
    the old Children in Need nights, where the studio audience get
    bombarded with chances to give. Mind you though, at least that money
    goes to a good cause.
    
    He'll probably have 50 phone lines open to take credit cards, etc.
    Somehow I don't think he'll make a loss on the night.
    
    Maybe I'm just being cynical..........................
    
    Ian
1684.5Heart of the Matter investigationWELLIN::NISBETI don't wanna cat. I wanna dug!Mon Jun 29 1992 09:4849
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Note 124.1                       Morris Cerullo                           1 of 1
WELLIN::NISBET "I don't wanna cat. I wanna dug!"     42 lines  29-JUN-1992 10:39
                          -< Cerullo at Earls Court >-
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    This is getting interesting (apparently only to me:-( ).

    Joan Bakewell on BBCs "Heart of the Matter" did a piece on the show so
    far. The state of the audience is quite incredible. 

    The cameras got some disturbing film of a wheelchair user who had been
    allegedly picked out of his wheelchair by hysterical 'fans' and told
    the poor chap he could walk. The cameras (Roger Cook style) came upon
    this chap lying helpless on his back, screaming bloody murder at the
    people who were telling him he could walk. Earl's Court security
    stopped the BBC filming. (This was an incident in the Foyer - not on
    the stage).

    Cerullo is interesting. He claims that disabled people are disabled
    because of the presence of Satan in their bodies. This is neat. It
    means that if the disabled person does not manage to throw away their
    crutches, then it's THEIR OWN FAULT, because they did not purge Satan
    from their soul. Clever, huh? There were many 'cures' live on stage.
    Usually crippled people being able to walk, but also the deaf and dumb
    people being cured. Bakewell interviewed a mother whose daughter had
    allegedly had her sight restored. Bakewell asked when the cure would be
    verified by a doctor, to which the woman seemed unconcerned. She 'knew'
    her daughter was cured, and that a doctor would confirm it in a few
    weeks. Cerullo is working on peoples desires to believe what they want
    to believe.

    What interests me most about last nights broadcast was the follow up
    that "Heart of the Matter" intend to do. Since, unlike America, most
    British citizens are registered with a GP, and disabled people have
    their disability registered, then it will be possible to follow up the
    claims made at Earls Court regarding miraculous cures. Bakewell intends
    to follow up the 'cures' and see how many of them could be validated.
    Cerullo claims around 400 cures at Earls Court so far.

    I find this bloke rather worrying. From autumn he will be broadcasting
    into the UK by satellite (his own company) his own particular style of
    evangelism. This could be the beginning of American style Evangelism in
    the UK.

    Dougie
    

1684.6HOO78C::ANDERSONMon Jun 29 1992 11:0213
    Yes it may well be interesting to do a follow up. What is also
    interesting is to attend those sort of meetings several times. I
    remember years ago when Billy Graham(sp) was pedaling his line in
    saving souls. I went three times and the same people were saved every
    time.

    It would have been interesting to have had video of the whole run and
    seen how many ringers you could spot.

    People like him who live a parasitical existence by robbing the weak,
    confused and incurable ill make me want to puke.

    Jamie.