Did Creflo Dollar Say that All Non-Tithers Should be Shot by a Firing Squad?

Someone sent me a video that got my attention faster than you can say, "What the hayell was he thinking?" It is alleged to be a video playing the voice of the "great" Creflo Dollar, the mega pastor with more money than some people think a pastor should have. In the audio, Pastor Dollar is allegedly stating that if he were not "covered in the blood of Jesus," he would have non-tithing parishioners shot by a firing squad.

Let's be clear: It's possible that this audio was fraudulently created by someone seeking to embarrass Pastor Dollar (although it does appear to be his voice). Not everyone respects his work in ministery and someone may be seeking to sabotage him. In that regard, I invite Pastor Dollar or his staff to respond to the video with their own explanation.

With that being said, the words I heard in the audio were quite disturbing, and might articulate beliefs held by many pastors. But the idea that a multi-millionaire pastor who owns a private jet would allegedly want to murder poor people for not giving him money is clearly beyond problematic. Additionally, it leads one to question the legitimacy of any church where wealth appears to be the central theme and focus of the so-called spiritual leader -- which is true of many black megachurches.

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Pastor Dollar preaches "prosperity gospel," which seems to focus on giving to the church as a way to find various forms of success (which Pastor Dollar says is about more than just money). He has a $2.5 million dollar Manhattan apartment, a Rolls Royce and quite a few other toys that most members of his congregation can't afford. Personally, I would never go to his church, but I am not one to say that he is a fraud. As a person who regularly studies the drug of capitalism (I happen to be a finance professor), I find that the dangers of fixating on money can be debilitating. Like any other drug, the constant chase for money can not only enslave you, it can also take you away from the most important things in your life.

I don't tithe in church. I've always been a firm believer that a man or woman can do God's work outside the church by helping the poor, mentoring lost children and doing what is right by others. For example, giving just a month's tithes to the dying children of Haiti would be far more impactful than paying for the fuel for Creflo Dollar's jet airplane. All the while, that's just my preference, and I would hope that if I couldn't afford to tithe to the church, I wouldn't be shot for my violation. I'm sure Jesus would still accept me, even if I were poor.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Facebook, please click here.