The PenOpticon

The stereotypical image of modern-day televangelists is so deeply embedded in North American culture, that it is hard to imagine how these hucksters continue to attract and keep followers. Today's Toronto Star expose of Toronto's Prayer Palace is a case in point.  This flying-saucer-shaped Prayer Palace sprawls over a large property at Finch Ave and Highway 400. The Star's investigation uncovered a pattern of shady business dealings, exposed the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by Pastor Paul Melnichuk and his twin sons, Tim and Tom (also pastors in the church), and illustrated the good intentions of a 3000-strong congregation that is largely ignorant of the fact that they are being duped.

While the Star's coverage suggests this "church" does little in the way of charity work, it has nothing to say about the group's methods or the content of its services. For this information we turn to the Ship of Fools, a site that employs "mystery worshippers" to rate churches — sort of a Consumer Report on places of worship. The Ship of Fools review of the Toronto Prayer Palace is less then glowing and includes this slightly menacing episode:

What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
As the three-hour mark approached and the altar call and second offering were announced, I left, so I really can't say. But I was doing double-duty at the Prayer Palace that Sunday. Not only was I worshipping mysteriously, but I was doing a review for a popular television program that spotlights spirituality in contemporary Canada. When I returned with the crew to film my piece on the sidewalk outside the church, we were shadowed by several church members and interrupted several times by a rather large and imposing usher. A car drove from the church and parked behind our cars for a few minutes; I thought I saw someone in the car take down our license plate numbers. These people were not at all pleasant and obviously strove to make us uncomfortable. Frankly, they gave me the creeps; my producer actually feared for our (and our camera's) safety.

Creepy, for sure, but then the prospect of spending three hours a week in a place like the Prayer Palace, sounds like hell to me. So why even bother to waste keystrokes on a story like this. After all, if people really want to give a tenth of their income to help support the Melnichuk lifestyle, then that is their choice.  However, as a tax payer, I want more accountability from churches and other charitable organizations. Let them all file a quarterly report detailing the amounts received and spent. If money is being diverted merely for the pleasure of the pastors, revoke their status as a charitable group and let them pay taxes. Can I get an Amen on that?