Search



Comments

« Child Evangelism Fellowship • Home • SC Senator Mike Fair: Darwin "foolish" »

Greedy Dr. Gene Scott

• Absurd Inurbane Witless

Taken from an email from someone who saw my page about America’s nuttiest televangelist.

Once he excommunicated his entire church on camera because it wasn't giving him enough money.

When he was being investigated by, among others, the State Attorney General's office, he would assemble his "monkey band," a collection of wind-up toy monkeys on stage. Then he would take a baseball bat and smash them. He would end this performance by sitting back and laughing uproariously.

How Dr. Scott took over the television station he owns in LA is another story. [ … ] The station had fallen on hard times. [ … ] In an attempt to save the station, the Board of Directors approached Scott for help. (Scott was known in the Assemblies of God congregation as being a rather savvy businessman.) Scott said he would only agree to help if the station gave him complete and total power. They agreed. He then promptly fired everyone and took over! It has been his ever since.

Once, when the IRS was investigating Scott's "Church," Scott came up with a rather brilliant way of raising money without ever having to account to the tax authorities for it. He instructed his followers to give the money to him not as a contribution to a Church, but as a gift to him personally. The result? The donors get no tax deduction, and may be liable for a gift tax on the amount that they donated. Scott pays no tax whatsoever, and doesn't even have to declare it, as he would if he had accepted the funds as a tax-exempt Church.

November 18th, 2003: link at the top of page updated to reflect restructuring of website. Now contains links to other sites about Scott.

Richard Evans Lee
April 15, 2003 •
BlinkList • del.icio.us • Digg it • Furl • ma.gnolia
RawSugar • Shadows • Simpy • Spurl • Yahoo MyWeb
Top↑

Comments

There's a lot of competition for the title "nuttiest evangelist." You ought to check out Brother Stair, www.overcomerministry.com, also the various anti-stair sites, mostly from ex-members. Consider, too, that many of these nuts have shortwave radio broadcasts, and address the world with their messages. I live in Northeastern China, and I've heard Dr. Gene Scott here. He used to rent transmitters from Voice of Russia! Think of them as an alternative Voice of America! Lester Ness Changchun Jilin Province China Lester Ness

Posted by: Lester Ness | April 25, 2003 11:29 PM

I'll own that many times I've wished I could delude people and get rich from their imbecility.

Posted by: Richard Evans Lee | September 7, 2003 6:29 PM

We'll see at the judgment seat won't we. I feel sorry for you. Touch not the man of God.

Posted by: Birdie | September 16, 2003 7:44 PM

I go to Calvary Chapel of the South Bay. I just channel surfed to Dr. Gene Scott. I couldn't believe what I heard. He was upset at his congregation for not doing their job and in doing so,he actually took the Lord's name in vain. This man apparently has no idea of who God is. If he ever did, he surely has forgotten.I will say a prayer for him, but will never listen to this poor man again.

Posted by: Edward | September 21, 2003 10:27 PM

Well, well... they come out while I rest. 5 Nukkaz, 1 on the rill, and my man Rich in the middle. LESTer: you is rill. Good lookin out. 1surfing: sukk my nukk. You out of date. bigbucks: ...ok, yes. you also are somewhat rill. birdie: You are such a nukka, it makes me cry. I hope you do get to yr version of heaven so you can see how weak it is to be there. Edward: grow up and learn how to use a computer. Rich sticks up for double-posters, but 4 times? NUKKA!

Posted by: Gitcha | September 22, 2003 12:43 PM

If you listen to Dr. Gene Scott's Sunday 1 hour sermons you would learn what you might learn in a college religion class on Hebrew. It is both insightful, intelligent and inspiring. It is worth your time and your mind. Listen and think about it and do not miss the truth he speaks in the midst of his eccentric character.

Posted by: deirdra | September 23, 2003 1:02 PM

It is an unending surprise that Scott has followers. I don't mind. I think he should milk them of every dime he can.

Posted by: Richard Evans Lee | September 23, 2003 2:17 PM

This guy's not a whack job, just a con man.

Posted by: Jeff | October 14, 2003 10:24 PM

I used to think Dr. Gene Scott was a good man, me and my family were big followers util my wife realized that he is obviously a cult leader, they hang up on us all the time as sooms as we say we are Finkles, Dr. Scott is an asshole

Posted by: Ray Finkle | October 15, 2003 8:38 PM

Seems like everytime a Finkle calls Dr. Gene Scott, they hang up, these are every Finkle of my family they hung up on. Ray Finkle - (myself) Sheila Finkle (wife) Fred Finkle (father) Betty Finkle (mother) Brad Finkle (brother) Lois Finkle (sister-in-law) Bonnie Finkle-Ironchild (sister) Big Eddie Ironchild (brother-in-law) Billy Bob Finkle (uncle) Patty Sue Finkle (auntie) Kenny Dean Finkle (cousin) Mark Ryan Finkle (cousin) Louisiana Finkle (cousin) any more Finkle's you can think of, let me know

Posted by: Ray Finkle | October 15, 2003 8:55 PM

God's truth is "foolishnes to those who are parishing"....lost my faith early, when I found out about the pagan traditions, grafted into christianity...easter eggs...x-mas trees...so I checked everywhere else for the 'truth'....'till I saw Dr. Scott teaching about God's testimony in the pyramid at Giza [Isaiah 19:19]....he's a high caliber university prof...on the front lines of the battle of the ages.... annointed with the gift of teaching the Truth of the Word...to those with a thinking mind...a functioning brain....to sort out the truth.......he's real...he's only human......and he's not a hypocrite, that Jesus condemned....separate the man from the message, if youlike, but don't throw out the baby w/ the bath water........I attend the Calvary Chapel here in the islands now...Chuck Missler is high caliber too!

Posted by: kauaiguy | October 17, 2003 3:57 AM

This guy's just a money-hungry bastard. He makes Jim Baker look like a fucking saint. There are more virtuous people in our prisons. And all those poor souls that believe his bullshit, open wide, their wallets. P.T. Barnum was right.

Posted by: Jeff | October 17, 2003 11:02 PM

I can't believe this asshole is still on television. He was a hoot to watch when I lived in Calif twenty years ago, sitting in his big sheepskin chair, ponificating and pouting because his flock wasnt sending in enough money. A perfect example of why the church should be taxed like everyone else.

Posted by: tom shaffer | October 26, 2003 10:44 PM

Dr. Gene Scott does in front of the camera what most preachers do when they are away from their flock........he is not a hypocrite.....most preachers are........they preach perfectionism which nobody can attain........and then when they are hidden behind closed doors they do their thing.....I'd rather follow a teacher who shows me all of his human sides in front of the camera............he was rich the day he started preaching there 25 years ago.......if you don't like him.......up yours!

Posted by: Tom | October 29, 2003 10:28 PM

If one aspect of a "human side" were greed, Dr. Gene Scott would personify the ultimate homo sapien. And, you can take that to the bank.

Posted by: Jeff | October 29, 2003 11:04 PM

In about 1985 when my brother and I were in high school/junior high, we use to stay up late to watch Letterman. After that we would surf to see the freaks on TV. Once we discovered Dr. Scott we had a ball! We would call and talk to the operator that took donations quite often. Once, he revealed a set of paintings he created title, "Kill some piss ants for Jesus." Several pans of the paintings were accompanied by a song he wrote, title of course "Kill some piss ants for Jesus." We inquired from the operator as to what were the black chunks the ants were carrying off and cutting into pieces with chain saws. She proceeded to inform us that it was chunks of shit! Yes, a painting of ants cutting and carrying pieces of shit, accompanied by a jingle all in the name of Jesus!?!. I wish someone would put together a "Best Of" DVD so I could laugh my butt off.

Posted by: A.O. | November 2, 2003 10:33 AM

While many viewers of Dr. Scott's shows maintain a sense of amusement, a large compendium of other watchers throw their welfare checks and disability payments toward the outstretched appendages of the Big Pisant, so that he can build his sand dwelling even higher.

Posted by: Jeff | November 2, 2003 9:59 PM

You know...give the guy a break. He had cancer and is in his 70's. The man know's alot of stuff. Forgetting all the garbage around him...he's really a brain about stuff I cannot even think about.

Posted by: Jeff Monty | November 4, 2003 6:09 PM

As for the Jeff of "Monty's Flying Circus:" there is no thought process involved. Watch the guy's show. He's doing the thinking for folks like yourself. If he tells you to bleat, you bleat, if he tells you to view things a certain way, you do so; and he if commands you to break your piggy bank, you unquestionably smash it open.

Posted by: Jeff | November 4, 2003 10:41 PM

I've always thought of Dr. euGene Scott as a fantastic showman and master of mass psychology. I usually find his lectures intriguing because he blends alot of disparate and esoteric theology with his unpredictable personality. The humourous tactics he uses to manipulate his audience/flock has sometimes left me imagining that Jim Morrison may have evolved into a Gene Scott had he lived long enough. I can't say that I would ever donate $ or visit Scott's church but, I can say that Dr Scott is a welcome alternative to the homogenized/commercialized crap that proliferates the television medium. At worst, one can think of Scott as a kooky professor - and everyone's got to love a kooky professor!

Posted by: CPAlbert | November 5, 2003 2:38 AM

Look around folks. The LA area is rife with ethnic strife, the number of poor get to be more, and the problem of pollution surrounds the guy's insitution. Yet this guy's running thoroughbreds?

Posted by: Jeff | November 5, 2003 6:50 PM

Gene Scott was the first preacher I came I across when the Lord saved me in 1978. He tought me to love the Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart, my soul and my mind. He also instilled in my a love for prophecy and a love for history and what's going on in the world. There is nobody that can teach the resurrection like he does. He also tought me that when Satan looses one of his own, holy hell will come against you. That's exactly what happened, and I was able to stand strong because I wasn't told that "come to Jesus" and your life will be rosy. I will always credit Dr. Scott, actually the Lord, for leading me to Dr. Scott, for the fact that I'm a Berean Christian and filter everything through my Bible. You all can say all you want to about him, but he'll be up there in heaven and I plan on thanking him big time. I also appreciate the fact that he's not a hypocrite, which is a rarity among preachers today. By the way, the language some of the people use here is vile and not in the least bit cute.

Posted by: grafhanny | November 6, 2003 2:28 PM

You folks that have been "saved" by Gene, for my bottom dollar, probably don't have one left in your wallets. Observe this guy's lifestyle. His pearly gates probably contain real pearls.

Posted by: Jeff | November 6, 2003 10:43 PM

Why are you so upset about the money. It's not your money you do what you want with yours and let everyone else do with theirs as they wish. One thing I know for sure is that everyone that does support Dr. Scott's teaching is much better off now than when they started, unless they gave up along the way and kept it to themselves. There is a type of law that many financial and religious people know about. It's one of those laws of nature like the law of gravity. If you give you get. If you give freely with no hopes of receiving you get more in return. Sounds strange but it really does work. Financial advisor Suze Ormond uses this concept in her lectures. The tighter you hold onto your money the less you will have. If you heep it all on yourself that's all you'll end up with. But if you create a flow it flows back to you in a greater amount. That's the idea behind charity. So you just go ahead and spend yours on yourself and we'll keep listening to you cry while we spend, spend, spend and laugh the whole time.

Posted by: Birdie | November 9, 2003 8:21 PM

Hey lady, if you feel so enthralled with throwing your money away, I'll act insane, deride others, while beating my bible. I do question whether a prominent tv financial telemarketer would even approve of sending one's life-savings to a race- horse owner. If becoming impoverished is your life-long dream, baby, I'll give you my address. There's one of you "born every minute."

Posted by: Jeff | November 9, 2003 10:53 PM

The unlearn in Christian Theology speak of the loss of money as a scapegoat to recieving the wisdom of God... Dr. Scott preaches Jesus Christ as LORD... Therefore, whether he does this for financial gain, fame, power, he preaches that someone will recieve Christ... who cares about his antics.. God will reward Gene Scott if Christ is PREACHED.... God provides the money to support HIS Church!!!! Not people!!!!

Posted by: Money? | November 12, 2003 9:12 AM

The Book of First Hoaxsters, II:19 says:
See he is my prophet for I have given him racehorses and fools to magnify him.

Posted by: Dr. Theology | November 12, 2003 9:23 AM

And I suppose God makes the neighborhood drug addicts, streetwalkers, mentally-ill, and general- ly disposessed as future benefactors. For the junkies pray for the next fix, the hookers make their johns yell the Lord's name in vain, and the loonies preach that the world will soon come to an earthly demise. They just don't realize the obvious---it'd be worth a quick buck and some heavenly praise, if they'd just put a twenty down on the third race at Santa Anita.

Posted by: Jeff | November 12, 2003 8:32 PM

Having read all the Scott bashing, I couldn't help but notice that there wasn't one challenge made on his theology. Get out your bible and show me where he's wrong. if I'm not mistaken Cristian giving has been around since Noah. He took the Lord's name in vain, well he'd be the first one to admit he's not perfect. That's one of the reasons I like him.

Posted by: PCW | November 15, 2003 6:19 PM

Everyone is "religious" about something. It's just that this joker is "pious" about building his financial enterprises--and tax free, at that!

Posted by: Jeff | November 15, 2003 9:54 PM

There is more proof for the existence of Bigfoot than there is for Jesus. Scott is just another psychic vampire.

Posted by: Paul Douglas Valentine | November 18, 2003 12:50 AM

If Scott could make muhla by wearing a King Kong outfit, roaring, while stuffing a banana up his sphincter, he'd do it. And those simple chimps in his audience would clap their furry hands.

Posted by: Jeff | November 18, 2003 4:56 PM

Great Scott!! Boy does this bring back memories. I have a friend who worked as an engineer for Scott's TV show when it was being broadcast from San Bruno (near S.F.) back in the 80's. My friend is a born-againer who saw god after taking too many hits of acid at one time while in college, but he still had enough of his brain left to see Scott for who he was - a dishonest-to-god entrepeneur. My friend used to tell the funniest stories about Scott's antics. Once, Scott was upset over not getting enough money (seemingly a common occurence), so he just sat still for hours, smoking his cigar, saying nothing, while the cameras rolled. I would often tune in just to see him for myself and, boy, was he comical. I can't ever remember hearing anything having to do with god or Jesus, just a stream-of-consciousness rap which basically consisted of him saying how much smarter he was than y'all. I'll give him one thing, though; he doesn't dissemble about why he's doing what he does: it's all about the money, and to hell with everyone who wants to know where it all goes. A refreshing change to the smarmy Tiltons, Bakkers, Robertsons and Falwells who pretend they are using their flock's donations for the further glory of god while lining their silk-lined pockets. Gene is for the greater glory of Gene, and if he can get people to send him money knowing that, then more power to him. If I weren't a humanist/atheist with moral scruples I might try something similar. God knows I could use the money. I also like the way he uses his wealth to buy access to the well-connected; he's so American in that regard.

Posted by: noreasontobelieve | November 18, 2003 5:07 PM

I know of an off-the-wall personality, who, at first, had dreams of being a great architect. But then he went to the front---in a losing war---and came back, a disenchanted, hateful human being. Alas, he sought to overthrow his downtrodden government, but failed, suffering imprisonment. After serving a shortened sentence, he wrote his memoirs to much acclaim. He became the topical speaker of the day. At every speaking engagement, he'd thrust his fists violently in the air, causing much amusement, his press interviews would force the reader to chuckle, and his radio blurbs brought the listener to a state of wonder- ment. He took total financial control. He grabbed absolute power. And then the sideshow resulted in a conflagration of unheard of destruction. As Adlai Stevenson Jr., once quipped, "The masses are asses."

Posted by: Jeff | November 19, 2003 10:13 PM

I called him up one night when he was asking for money. I just got home from a party and I was buzzed and I turned on the T.V. and sure as schit, there he was puffing away on that cigar, I could smell it in my house! Anyway, I asked the person on the phone "What in hell is he doing just sitting there asking for money"? Well, the person hung up, then I saw Gene Look over (while I was watching T.V.)and I heard a voice in the background, Gene replied, What...you got to be kidding me..C,mon all you regular listeners, call in and pledge! Too Funny, I watch him sometimes only to check out his wife. Why is such a butt ugly dude doing with a hotty like that. Get real Gene, she wants your wallet, not your good looks and fancy talk! LMAO!!

Posted by: Warren | November 30, 2003 10:43 PM

In America, the right to freedom of speech has no equal. The importance of stating the truth, even regarding a swindler, has no rival in this society. Our democracy thrives on that. Unlike other countries, the military does not control our thoughts and expressions. If an individual points out that some evangelist simply promotes his own, self-engrandisement, that is his right, and his duty.

Posted by: Jeff | December 7, 2003 10:01 PM

Whoa nelly!!!!!! So much cussing........I don't like Gene Scott either but when you write about him try not to use so many profane words.....doesn't make you look good.....

Posted by: Neil | December 9, 2003 11:49 PM

I'd been meaning to get rid of the worst 'comments.' Now they are gone.

Posted by: Richard | December 10, 2003 1:59 AM

Richard, I bet you've even chucked this cluck your bucks.

Posted by: Dr. Jeff | January 22, 2005 11:29 PM

Been some time since I've heard from you. I once sent Rev. Ike a bad check. Closest I've ever came to making a contribution to any of the televangelists.

Posted by: Richard | January 23, 2005 7:20 AM

Perhaps our telebuddy could really display his mettle and drive the donations, for tsunami relief. As an interesting aside, in June of '03, an article appeared in the LA Times on the Terminator's campaign contributions from various acclaimed sources. And guess who's name appeared as a benefactor?

Posted by: Rev. Jeff | January 24, 2005 9:59 PM

Of all the preachers that I've listened to in my life.I don't know any one who is as gifted as that voice crying in the wilderness spreading out the word of God like Dr.Gene Scott. He preaches the Word to reach a perticular people; those who don't mind getting dirty in order to retreave preasious stones that would not be found despite years of church going...; like the woman in mathiew 15 vs 26 and 27.In order to be a Christian you do not have to live according to man's so called moral code but a spiritual one that only The Holy Spirit gives. Gene Scott preaches the essentials...that without Faith no man can see God...Some of you want a watered down Christianity where the leader is the church...The man is a Sheperd from God... and has led me to know the Truth despit his allure... Only God is his Eternal Judge... I am writting from the french caribbean and have never once been misled by his Bible teachings because I prove what he tauth me by making my recearch... and one more thing ..he is not a hypocrite...; he says often : if you have not been taught do not send any money... read Galatians 6vs6 about giving to a man of GOD...GOD BLESS YOU ALL WITH TRUTH...AMEN...

Posted by: sam | January 26, 2005 4:31 PM

As an interesting aside, I wonder who inherits all this accumulated wealth. That's quite a provocative financial empire for the taking. But it was never really about the money, was it?

Posted by: Jeff | March 1, 2005 10:48 PM

why do you have to be so vulgar?

Posted by: Glory | March 20, 2005 1:54 AM

I love how Richard is openly willing to bash Dr. Gene Scott, but won't allow any homophobic or racist comments on this thread or site. We wouldn't want to offend precious Richard!!! But by all means, let's go for Dr. Scott's jugular! Pretty lame, Richard. Pretty lame.

Posted by: Danny | April 4, 2005 5:02 PM

There's a difference between inidividuals and treating people as generic groups. I think Scott's business was entertaining. As I've said in other entries about him he incited to hate or anger in me. And there are comments from pro-Scott people scattered in some of the entries about him. You could've posted something constructive if you care about his memory.

Posted by: Richard | April 4, 2005 5:12 PM

Come and listen to a story about a man named Eugene Poor old preacher always acting mean Then one day while puffin a cigar He thought to himself,hey Im a preaching superstar Self appointed that is, Selfrighteous,Egomaniacil Well the next thing ya know old Genes a millionaire Robbing his congregation just seemed downright more than fair Said Californy is the place I oughta be So he married a porn actress and moved to Beverly Hills that is Swimmin pools,movie stars Well now its time to say goodbye to Gene and all his kin And they would like to thank you folks for all the money you've sent in. Your all invited back again to this locality To have a heapin help of his nasty'ole personality Charlitin that is,Watch a while,Send your money in Ya all get on the phone now ya hear BOOK OF HOAKSTERS Chapter:7 Verse:11 And see my prophet Dr.Loveless Scott For I have given unto him ladies,limos,learjets,luxury mansions,show horses, cuban cigars with which to puff himself up and many fools to magnify himself (YE SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS NOT THEIR SUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEY ARE MY DISIPLES BY THE LOVE THEY HAVE ONE FOR ANOTHER)

Posted by: jfkjr | January 19, 2006 4:11 PM

I think he will be spending eternity in an A--holes anonymous meeting.Hi my names eUGENE and I'm the worlds biggest A--hole!

Posted by: yosemity | January 20, 2006 11:47 AM

Nothing was ever so moving as Dr Scott's call to the table of the Lord. I happen to think he is a saint.

Posted by: wellshootme | April 3, 2006 1:48 AM

I used to get moved by the communions also. I'd sit there a think 'should i listen to this dumbass abuse more of the Scriptures or should I do something productive and go take a shit?' I'd always go take a shit. Yes, I was moved.

Posted by: madeinusa61 | May 24, 2006 12:14 PM

How do you feel?

Feel free to share your feelings about Greedy Dr. Gene Scott. Please stick to the theme of the entry. Disagreement is fine. Homophobia, racism, and kindred expressions of hatred will be deleted. This site is one of my hobbies. I genuinely enjoy hearing from people and hate moderating or killing comments. Forthright disagreement is fine as long as it is civil.
My thanks,
Richard

Monthly Summaries

March 2007, February 2007, January 2007, December 2006, November 2006, October 2006, August 2006, July 2006, June 2006, May 2006, April 2006, March 2006, February 2006, January 2006, December 2005, November 2005, October 2005, September 2005, August 2005, July 2005, June 2005, May 2005, April 2005, March 2005, February 2005, December 2004, November 2004, October 2004, September 2004, August 2004, July 2004, June 2004, May 2004, April 2004, March 2004, February 2004, January 2004, December 2003, November 2003, October 2003, September 2003, August 2003, July 2003, June 2003, May 2003, April 2003, March 2003, February 2003, January 2003, December 2002, November 2002, October 2002, September 2002, August 2002, May 2002, April 2002, March 2002,

Recent Posts



Thematic Archives

Powered by
Movable Type 4.0

Syndication


Edifying Spectacle
Index
Absurd Inurbane Witless
Greedy Dr. Gene Scott
Top of page