INLSA
Nathan Geffen speaks to media at the TAC offices. Christ Embassy has been ordered to withdraw their advert from e.tv,who are legally bound to the ASASA code, and must ensure the advert is withdrawn. Picture: Henk Kruger
A charismatic church cannot prove that its pastors can perform healing miracles, the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (Asasa) has ruled – and the church has to withdraw all such advertisements from e.tv.
The Christ Embassy is an international organisation headed by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome with branches in Cape Town and Gauteng and a number in other countries.
The church paid R2.6 million to have its 24-minute “faith healing” programme run on etv for 52 weeks where it claimed that people could be cured of illnesses and diseases such as Aids and cancer.
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) lodged a complaint with Asasa in November 2009 and on Wednesday the advertising body ruled that e.tv had to remove the programme.
The TAC lodged the complaint after a woman who was on tuberculosis medication stopped her treatment when she was “cured” by the church, but subsequently died.
The ruling stated that the programme was by definition an advertisement promoting cure by faith.
The Advertising Standards Authority has banned the Christ Embassy church from airing its claims of faith healing, following a complaint from the Treatment Action Campaign.
Independent Newspapers
This is against Asasa’s code since the Christ Embassy did not register with the Medicines Control Council to offer a product or service which cures diseases.
Christ Embassy said it would appeal the ruling and is adamant that it can convey the message to people that “they will be cured by the grace of God”.
Sean Sim, attorney for Christ Embassy, said: “My client feels that people can be healed through the grace of God and that there is nothing wrong with conveying that message.
“We are not going to back away from this, there is nothing to apologise for and nothing untoward about the programme. My client maintains that people can be healed through faith.”
Sim said they had 20 days to appeal the ruling.
Etv, which is legally bound to the Asasa code, has been ordered to withdraw the advert. The Christ Embassy programme has run its course but the ruling applies to any similar programmes.
The TAC’s Nathan Geffen said although the contract between e.tv and Christ Embassy came to an end some time ago, the channel was still broadcasting the programme two weeks ago in which the pastor, Chris Oyakhilome, claimed to have healed a woman with a breast tumour.
At Thursday’s media conference Geffen said the Christ Embassy programmes were “life destroying”.
The TAC lodged the complaint after a Cape Town doctor notified it that one of his patients had stopped taking her XDR TB medication because she believed the Christ Embassy could heal her.
“She gave up her medicines because she believed Christ Embassy could cure her. She became ill again and died – but only after transmitting XDR TB to her children,” Geffen said.
E.tv’s spokesperson, Vasili Vass, said on Thursday that it would abide by the ruling and withdraw the programme. - Cape Times
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Anonymous, wrote
A wonderful man I know who followed this church passed away over the weekend. He had refused to take his medication for months because Pastor Chris Oyakhilome had told him that they were bad for him.
Anonymous, wrote
A person is heald by God so it ws that perso who belied she is heald no one is to be blemed for her Death.Let pastor Chris do His job this is his calling.
Anonymous, wrote
Religious healing has no right to make claims about curing people, under cutting science, without evidence. It was the right decision To ban the advertising.
Me and Me, wrote
In the last days there will be God haters says the Word ... yea this is it, should we be shocked??? No!!! Why??? Jesus told us!!! What should we do??? Pray without ceasing so that we do not fall!!! Jesus heals bottom line, if they rejected Him, they He said, we will be rejected too...
Anonymous, wrote
Its a pity how people abuse the name of Jesus - all to make money in our heavily materialistic world. This should make a lot of think deeply about how we commit to blindly following people like these -wolves in sheep clothing- preying on peoples emotions and ill-health
christian, wrote
This man is running a scam...we are really tired of opportunistic mini Jesuses parading themselves as saviours...shame on them...Big ups ASASA...This people are really sick...do they really elieve in GOD....SARS must charge them Taxes while they are still at it...bloody crooks
Stephen, wrote
It's funny that the authorities in south Africa are taking the same decision that is ruining America . They have no problem controlling same sex marriage it's the acts of god they are after. What an irony. Those who practice homosexuality that the bible condoms are leaving with these god,s miracle critics, the world is really winding up.
Anonymous, wrote
@Anonymous at 18:11, those are not advertising a cure for AIDS. Think much? A molehill = mountain in your book then? Besides which, your quoted references are concepts, not facts. These concepts can be argued as to whether they are true or not. Remember that MTN had to get "the better connection" pulled because they couldn't prove that they were? That is a fact, not a concept. Try arguing a single thought, instead of trying to use concepts to equate to facts and saying because they don’t things aren’t equal.
Anonymous, wrote
if this is supposdly misleading advertising then lets also get Jhb Council to stop saying Johannesburg is a 'world class city' in their ads. What about the ANC saying 'a better life for all' this is also misleading advertising. What about Pick n Pay saying in their ads 'there for you'. They need to first prove in what way they are there for every single person. Are they there for the person who can pick but cannot afford to Pay. I don't think so. So they too must stop all advertsing. All those soap powder manufactureres need to proove to us that their product makes Whites whiter and colours brighter. Let us get consistency as far as misleading advertising is concerned.
MJ, wrote
He is now running this scam in South Africa because if he goes baqck to Nigeria he will be arrested on Money laundering charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Anonymous, wrote
I'm always amazed at how gullible people are. Faith healers are con artists - several well known people attended, at great personal cost, faith healing meetings, declared themselves healed, just to stop medical treatment, and die a couple of years later. Then their family members are surprised and distraught. These people should not be allowed to mislead the desperate public, they are fraudsters and should be jailed.
TJ, wrote
@MAN "It boggles my mind how churches obtain R2.6 million rand in the first place. Its a business not a church, its like selling credit to poor people. Wake up." You have to spend money to make money, the more people that flock to the church the more they will rake in. And you do realise they expect 10% of your salary as a suggested donation.
Chris Lies, wrote
haibo! Phumi Shange! it is so amazing that most people believe in GOD but they always put some humanbeing in front to lead their way to heaven. dont be stupid keep praying and being thankful to GOD only and only GOD is Almighty that can do anything. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome conspiracies makes him millions. you wake up and run away from these croocks. no one has ever stood up and left their wheel chairs with injured backs. you can name any church leader and none of them is poor like you
ABOUT TIME, wrote
It's about time this nonsense was pulled off air! A friend went there and was not cured, another died shortly afterwards. If he could "cure" all the hospitals would be empty.
Anonymous, wrote
Everything costs money and even the Gospel. The media is the quickest way to spread the good news of Jesus. If I had millions I would have used the same media. It is teh quickest way to send one good message (The Gospel) to millions of people in an instant. We will use the tools that are made available to spread the gospel. Part of the gospel is healing. This is the manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven. Mark 16:15And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Phumi Shange, wrote
I'm not gonna argue with some scientists cos most of them are atheists - so nothing makes sence to them when it comes to spirituality. But Jesus healed and still heals and will always heal...finish and klaar ! Why dont u let people biliv in what they want to - let them biliv in their God in whatever way they wish - this is a personal and private spiritual journey and got nothing t do with arguements or a crowd but with the indivisual and His God as I said.
BLESSED , wrote
Medically it's not possible that a person can be cured of AIDS and they want us to believe that AIDS is incurable. Drug companies would do anything in their power to make sure you keep using their drugs even if it means rubbishing the church. I need one person to stand up if heshe knows any doctor that cured anybody of AIDS, if you can't show then I'll don't even minds revealing my status to the whole world. I have been tested twice for HIV from two reputable and different medical centres and I was found to be positive. I'm proud to say that I put everything in the hands of God and needles to say that doctor's eyes almost poped out when he tested me and guess what? I'm now HIV NEGATIVE, I have refused to be a slave of any medication and I exercised my faith to get my healing.
Pogiso, wrote
When the ANC tells u that there'll be free education you believe and vote for them, but when Pastor Chris tells you that God can heal you then you shut him down. How hypocritical!
lida, wrote
Another aspect, e-TV, and all other TV-channels, should be obliged to clearly indicate when programme content was paid for by a client.
Anonymous, wrote
Phumi, stop comparing this crook wJesus that ia an insult to the Almighty. Poor people will continue to die becuase of him, claiming to have healing powers that's lie.
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