Peter Popoff (born 1946) is a German-born U.S. televangelist known as a faith healer. He performs crusade services (revival meetings) on national television which include laying on of hands. His ministry is based in Upland, California, and is funded through donations. A widely popular minister in the 1980s, he went bankrupt in 1987 after James Randi and Steve Shaw debunked his methods by showing that instead of receiving information about audience members from supernatural sources, he received it through an in-ear receiver.^[1] Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... In the USA, a televangelist (television evangelist) is a religious minister (often a Christian priest or minister) who devotes a large portion of his (or her) ministry to TV broadcasts to a regular viewing and listening audience. ... Faith healing is the use of solely spiritual means in treating disease, which, in some cases, is accompanied with the refusal of modern medical techniques. ... A revival meeting is a series of Christian religious services held in order to inspire active members of a religious body and to gain new converts. ... The laying on of hands is a religious practice found throughout the world in varying forms. ... Nickname: Location within San Bernardino County in the state of California Coordinates: , State California County San Bernardino County Government  - Mayor John V. Pomierski Area  - City 39. ... James Randi (born August 7, 1928), stage name The Amazing Randi, is a stage magician and scientific skeptic best known as a challenger of paranormal claims and pseudoscience. ... Steve Shaw (born 1975) is a Republican candidate and former investment banker currently positioning himself against incumbent Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former City Councilman Tom Ognibene in September 2005. ... Debunkers are skeptics who attempt to disprove and pursues what they consider to be false, unscientific, bizarre or abnormal claims. ... Look up Supernatural in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Early career

At appearances in the 1980s ministry conventions, Popoff routinely and accurately stated the home addresses and specific illnesses of his audience members, a feat he allowed them to believe was due to divine revelation and "God given ability".^[2] At the time of his popularity skeptic groups across the United States printed and handed out pamphlets explaining how Popoff's feats could be done.^[1] Popoff would tell his audience that the pamphlets were tools of the "devil".^[1] The 1980s refers to the years from 1980 to 1989. ... Revelation of the Last Judgment by Jacob de Backer Revelation is an uncovering or disclosure via communication from the divine of something that has been partially or wholly hidden or unknown, which could not be known apart from the unveiling (Goswiller 1987 p. ... This page is about the concept of the Devil. ...

These claims were debunked in 1987 when noted skeptic James Randi and his assistant, Steve Shaw, researched Popoff by attending shows across the country for months. They discovered radio transmissions being sent by Peter's wife, Elizabeth Popoff, reading information which she and her aides (Volmer Thrane, the brother of his manager Nancy Thrane, and Reeford Sherrill) had gathered from earlier conversation with members of the audience. Popoff would simply listen to these promptings with his in-ear receiver and repeat what he heard to the crowd. After tapes of these transmissions were played on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Popoff's popularity and viewing audiences declined sharply, and his ministry declared bankruptcy later that year.^[1] Debunkers are skeptics who attempt to disprove and pursues what they consider to be false, unscientific, bizarre or abnormal claims. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Skepticism (Commonwealth spelling: Scepticism) can mean: Philosophical skepticism - a philosophical position in which people choose to critically examine whether the knowledge and perceptions that they have are actually true, and whether or not one can ever be said to have absolutely true knowledge; or Scientific skepticism - a scientific, or practical... James Randi (born August 7, 1928), stage name The Amazing Randi, is a stage magician and scientific skeptic best known as a challenger of paranormal claims and pseudoscience. ... Banachek is the stage name for a mentalist named Steven Shaw. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... In most Protestant churches, a minister is a member of the ordained clergy who leads a congregation or participates in a role in a parachurch ministry; such a person may also be called a Pastor, Preacher, Bishop, Chaplain or Elder. ... Notice of closure stuck on the door of a computer store the day after its parent company, Granville Technology Group Ltd, declared bankruptcy (strictly, put into administration—see text) in the United Kingdom. ...

As Randi explained in The Faith Healers, he originally took his research to the United States Attorney's office, but never heard back.^[1] This led Randi's friend Johnny Carson to invite Randi on the show to explain how Popoff operated. Popoff at first denied that he used the tactics Randi claimed even asserting "NBC hired an actress to impersonate Mrs. Popoff on a 'doctored' videotape."^[1] However, as the media pressed with more questions, "on day three Reverend Popoff admitted the existence of the radio device, claiming, that 'almost everybody' knew about the 'communicator.' And, he added, 'My wife occasionally gives me the name of a person who needs special prayers'."^[1] However, Randi appeared on CNN previous to this claiming Popoff used a transmitter, but Popoff said this was false and he got the information from God.^[1] The Faith Healers is a 1987 book by magician and skeptic James Randi with a foreword by Carl Sagan. ... United States Attorneys (also known as federal prosecutors) represent the U.S. federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. ... For other persons named John Carson, see John Carson (disambiguation). ...

Popoff's shows also featured audience members who were brought on stage in wheelchairs and then rose dramatically to walk without support. These were some of Popoff's most incredible "healings," but what believing audience members and television viewers did not know is that wheelchairs were used by Popoff to seat people who were already able to walk.^[3]

Popoff wrote several paperbacks in the early 1980s that were published by Faith Messenger Publications but are now out of print.^[4] He is also known for collecting donations to send to the Soviet Union, which earned him a profit from a fraud scheme.^[1]

In 1991 NOVA's episode Secrets of the Psychics aired footage of Popoff with his wife's radio transmission dubbed in. Since then, that episode was released on video to teach critical thinking.[1] Artists conception of a white dwarf star accreting hydrogen from a larger companion A nova (pl. ... Secrets of the Psychics was a PBS NOVA episode following James Randis work. ...

Current activities

Peter Popoff's 12/2006 infomercial about "Miracle Spring Water"

As of 2005 Popoff's infomercials can be seen late nights and early mornings on the Travel Channel, BET,Vision TV, and Comedy Central.^[5] He is also once again buying time on selected local stations in the U.S.^[6] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1560x1173, 172 KB) One of Popoffs latest infomercials This image is a screenshot of a copyrighted television program or station ID. As such, the copyright for it is most likely owned by the company or corporation that produced it. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1560x1173, 172 KB) One of Popoffs latest infomercials This image is a screenshot of a copyrighted television program or station ID. As such, the copyright for it is most likely owned by the company or corporation that produced it. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Travel Channel is a cable television network that features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. ... Bet may refer to: Look up bet in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Vision TV is a Canadian cable television specialty channel with a mandate to air multi-faith religious programming. ... Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel in the United States. ...

Popoff's miracle water and a copy of James Randi's book The Faith Healers, which details Popoff's activities.

Since his return to television, there have been several reports of Popoff gaining financially from donations. Some people have received several letters from Popoff, with each succeeding letter asking for more money than the last. A recent report from Fox affiliate WDAF-TV in Kansas City revealed that Popoff's salary in 2004 was over $500,000, and his assets include a 2006 Porsche convertible worth $90,000. Some reporters are urging those who have donated money to Popoff in hopes of receiving "miracles" to report to the Attorney General in their state.^[2] Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2128 × 2832 pixel, file size: 851 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I took this picture of three packets of Peter Popoffs miracle water. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2128 × 2832 pixel, file size: 851 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I took this picture of three packets of Peter Popoffs miracle water. ... The Faith Healers is a 1987 book by magician and skeptic James Randi with a foreword by Carl Sagan. ... The Fox Broadcasting Company, usually referred to as just Fox (the company itself prefers the capitalized version FOX), is a television network in the United States. ... WDAF TV Channel 4 is The Fox Owned & Operated Television station for The Kansas City Market. ... Kansas City satellite map The Kansas City Metropolitan Area is a metropolitan area situated at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers (Kaw Point) and straddling the state border between Missouri and Kansas. ... This article is about the auto company. ... In most common law jurisdictions, the Attorney General is the main legal adviser to the government, and in some jurisdictions may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions. ...

In February 2007 Inside Edition did an exposé on his continued faith healing and "Miracle Spring Water." The show explained his new television programs feature him "healing the sick" in a manner identical to his method prior to James Randi's exposé. The investigation led by Matt Meagher featured clips from the infamous Carson show, an interview with Randi, and Inside Edition seeking comment from Popoff.^[7] Meagher confronted Popoff as he got into his $100,000 silver Porsche, turning his back to the camera Popoff shut his car door smashing Meagher.^[7] Asking Popoff why he took thousands of dollars from a desperate married couple, Popoff refused to answer questions and declined to be interviewed. The interview ended with Randi saying "flim flam is his profession, that's what he does best. He's very good at it and naturally he's going to go back to it."^[7] Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... Inside Edition is a syndicated news program, on the air since January 9, 1989. ... A confidence trick, confidence game, or con for short, (also known as a scam) is an attempt to intentionally mislead a person or persons (known as the mark) usually with the goal of financial or other gain. ...

In May 2007 ABC's 20/20 focused on Popoff's "comeback" and explored the lives of a few people who felt cheated.^[8] The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... This article is about the television show. ...

As of 2007, Popoff's program is broadcast on Network Ten in Australia. Network Ten, or Channel Ten, is one of Australias three commercial television networks, available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in Australia. ...

Prosperity theology

Peter Popoff's "Prayer Mantle" and prayer card.

Popoff appears on late-night U.S. television as a Pentecostal healing evangelist and also in infomercials. He has promoted his "Miracle Spring Water" as a "point of contact" for divine healing. He has also preached a form of prosperity theology under the slogan "Go into business with God", claiming that God will make "divine transfers" into a viewer's "divine account". One infomercial states, "A divine transfer is a supernatural event. This is not money you're going to make from your job... God is going to supernaturally put money into your account." Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2128 × 2832 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2128 × 2832 pixel, file size: 1. ... Infomercials are television commercials that run as long as a typical television program (roughly 28 minutes, 30 seconds). ... Prosperity theology or Prosperity doctrine is the doctrine that prosperity and success in business is external evidence of Gods favor. ...

Within four weeks of submitting one's address to Popoff's automated phone service, subscribers receive in the mail from Popoff (now calling himself "Prophet Peter Popoff") a three-page essay filled with elaborate biblical language and red-ink imitation handwriting. Instead of the promised "Miracle Water", included is a tiny plastic "Golden Tablet" and a "Miracle Band" (a cardboard bracelet marked simply with "JIREH", Hebrew for "see" but sometimes translated "provide"^[9]). Popoff purports that the "Golden Tablet" was made by God and intended to create immense wealth for the subscriber. Popoff then insists that the subscriber wear the "Miracle Band" while posting him a check for $28.30 (related to Exodus 28:30 in some way), in order to receive further instructions on how to use the "Golden Tablet". “Hebrew” redirects here. ...

Popoff is known to use the mailings of former TV healing evangelist David Epley, word for word, but substituting his name instead of Epley's at the end of the letters.^{[citation needed]} This is legal as Popoff pays Epley several thousand dollars a month for the right to do this.^{[citation needed]}

Financial details

• At Popoff's peak in 1987, according to his comptroller, he earned 4.3 million dollars a month.^[10]

• In FYE 2004, Peter Popoff received $548,167 as President of his organization. 36.7% of the organization's total expenses go towards fundraising and administrative expenses. In total the Peter Popoff Ministries raised $16,220,066 in revenue in FYE 2004. See Charity Navigator[2]

• In FYE 2005, Popoff received $628,732, his wife Elizabeth earned $203,029, his son received $182,166, and daughter received $176,290. Program expenses were 60.7% and administrative were 19.6%. See Charity Navigator[3]

Look up comptroller in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A fiscal year (or financial year or accounting reference date) is a 12-month period used for calculating annual (yearly) financial reports in businesses and other organizations. ... Charity Navigator is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities. ... A fiscal year (or financial year or accounting reference date) is a 12-month period used for calculating annual (yearly) financial reports in businesses and other organizations. ... Charity Navigator is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities. ...

Publications

• 3 Steps to Answered Prayer. Faith Messenger Publications (1981) ISBN 0938544101 (91 pages)
• Calamities, Catastrophes, and Chaos. Faith Messenger Publications (1980) ISBN 0938544012
• Dreams: God's Language for Life More Abundantly. Publisher: People United For Christ (1989)ASIN: B000NSMW2S (88 pages)
• Forecasts for 1987. (1984) ASIN: B000B8K0MY (33 page booklet)
• God Has Promised You Divine Wealth
• God's Abundant Blessings
• Prosperity Thinking
• Releasing the Power of the Holy Spirit in Your Life
• Guaranteed Answered Prayer
• Six Things Satan Uses to Rob You of Gods Abundant Blessings. Faith Messenger Pubns (April 1982) ISBN 093854411X (93 pages)

See also

• Christian evangelist scandals
• Leap of Faith a 1992 Steve Martin movie about a faith healer who uses many of the techniques used by Popoff.

A series of scandals resulted in the destruction of the reputations of several famous Christian evangelists. ... Leap of Faith is 1992 comedy-drama film about a fake Christian faith healer who uses a fraudulent traveling revival show to bilk believers of the money. ...

References

James Randi (born August 7, 1928), stage name The Amazing Randi, is a stage magician and scientific skeptic best known as a challenger of paranormal claims and pseudoscience. ... The Faith Healers is a 1987 book by magician and skeptic James Randi with a foreword by Carl Sagan. ... WDAF TV Channel 4 is The Fox Owned & Operated Television station for The Kansas City Market. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 191st day of the year (192nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 202nd day of the year (203rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Inside Edition is a syndicated news program, on the air since January 9, 1989. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the television show. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... James Randi (born August 7, 1928), stage name The Amazing Randi, is a stage magician and scientific skeptic best known as a challenger of paranormal claims and pseudoscience. ...

External links

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Official and critical

• Peter Popoff Ministries – Official website (Warning: sound)
• A Christian apologetics Critical of Popoff's current teachings
• Financial Statistics on Peter Popoff Ministries from Charity Navigator
• More of Popoff's Secrets by James Randi (James Randi Educational Foundation, 2007)
• Peter Popoff proved fake on 39-17-Mhz

Charity Navigator is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities. ... James Randi (born August 7, 1928), stage name The Amazing Randi, is a stage magician and scientific skeptic best known as a challenger of paranormal claims and pseudoscience. ... The James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) is a Fort Lauderdale, Florida non-profit organization founded in 1996 by magician and skeptic James Randi. ...

Media

• Peter Popoff Inside Edition 2007 (Video)
• A video presentation by Randi, the second half of which shows Popoff's use of an-ear radio (Windows Media format)
• Video with fm interception
• Video with 1987 interview