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07/08/2012
Face-Kicking Faith Healer: Concerns Over Todd Bentley Visit
Concerns have mounted over the visit to Northern Ireland of a faith healer who claims to cure people by using violence.
Controversial Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley uses methods including choking people, kicking them in the face and pushing them over.
He has been invited to preach in Portadown next month at The Christian Centre on Tandragee Road.
In an online video he tells a congregation that the "gift of faith" guides his actions.
At one event, he says, he wanted to treat a disabled lady, when the Holy Spirit told him "kick her in the face with your biker boot".
Mr Bentley continues: "And just as my boot made contact with her nose, she fell under the power of God."
An English MP has urged Home Secretary Theresa May to prevent Mr Bentley from entering the UK.
Malcolm Wicks represents Croydon North where Mr Bentley has an upcoming speaking engagement.
Speaking to the Daily Mail he said he had asked Ms May: "His visit can do nothing but harm and I would be grateful for any measures you can take."
And Rev Chris Hudson of Belfast's All Souls Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church told the News Letter newspaper he was concerned about Mr Bentley's planned visit, particularly for people who might realise after the event that they had not been healed, then feel they lacked faith.
He said: "I find that difficult because I think that could in a lot of cases be upsetting to people and make them feel worse off than they already are."
(NE/GK)
Controversial Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley uses methods including choking people, kicking them in the face and pushing them over.
He has been invited to preach in Portadown next month at The Christian Centre on Tandragee Road.
In an online video he tells a congregation that the "gift of faith" guides his actions.
At one event, he says, he wanted to treat a disabled lady, when the Holy Spirit told him "kick her in the face with your biker boot".
Mr Bentley continues: "And just as my boot made contact with her nose, she fell under the power of God."
An English MP has urged Home Secretary Theresa May to prevent Mr Bentley from entering the UK.
Malcolm Wicks represents Croydon North where Mr Bentley has an upcoming speaking engagement.
Speaking to the Daily Mail he said he had asked Ms May: "His visit can do nothing but harm and I would be grateful for any measures you can take."
And Rev Chris Hudson of Belfast's All Souls Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church told the News Letter newspaper he was concerned about Mr Bentley's planned visit, particularly for people who might realise after the event that they had not been healed, then feel they lacked faith.
He said: "I find that difficult because I think that could in a lot of cases be upsetting to people and make them feel worse off than they already are."
(NE/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be a dry and bright day with sunny spells after a chilly start with pockets of fog. Feeling pleasant in any sunshine with winds mainly light. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Dry with well broken cloud during this evening and overnight. This could lead to mist and fog which could be quite extensive by dawn. Pockets of frost also possible. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
