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==Controversy==
==Controversy==
==="Prophecy" that John Kerry would become president in 2004===
==="Prophecy" that John Kerry would become president in 2004===
{{cquote|1=<font style="font-size:24px;line-height:30px;">I am sad to say today that President Bush has failed in that special role God called him to play in leading this nation back to the God of the Bible.<br />FOR THAT REASON, HE WILL NOT BE RE-ELECTED. (emphasis in the original)</font>|2=40px|4=Bill Keller<ref name="falseprophet" />, March 8, 2004}}
{{quote|I am sad to say today that President Bush has failed in that special role God called him to play in leading this nation back to the God of the Bible. FOR THAT REASON, HE WILL NOT BE RE-ELECTED.<!-- emphasis in the original -->|Bill Keller,<ref name="falseprophet" /> March 8, 2004}}
On March 8, 2004, Keller "prophesied" that George W. Bush would not be re-elected president due to his perceived lack of support for the [[State of Israel]], among other issues<ref name="falseprophet">Live Prayer Daily Devotional for March 8, 2004. [http://www.liveprayer.com/ddarchive3.cfm?id=1739 "A Special Word in Regard to the 2004 United States Presidential Race"]</ref>. Keller erroneously predicted the election of [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] contender [[John Kerry]]<ref name="falseprophet" />. Keller reiterated his statements on March 10, denying allegations that he was working for Kerry and discouraging [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]s from voting<ref name="falseprophet2">Live Prayer Daily Devotional for March 10, 2004. [http://www.liveprayer.com/ddarchive3.cfm?id=1741 "Presidential Prophecy Follow-up - Part I"]</ref>. Furthermore, Keller wrote that he was willing to be stoned to death should his prediction prove incorrect<ref name="falseprophet2" />. Finally, on November 4, Bill Keller admitted his mistake while continuing his assertion that he was willing to be stoned to death<ref>Live Prayer Daily Devotional for November 4, 2004. [http://www.liveprayer.com/ddarchive3.cfm?id=1981 "The Past 14 Years"]</ref>.
On March 8, 2004, Keller "prophesied" that George W. Bush would not be re-elected president due to his perceived lack of support for the [[State of Israel]], among other issues.<ref name="falseprophet">Live Prayer Daily Devotional for March 8, 2004. [http://www.liveprayer.com/ddarchive3.cfm?id=1739 "A Special Word in Regard to the 2004 United States Presidential Race"]</ref> Keller erroneously predicted the election of [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] contender [[John Kerry]].<ref name="falseprophet" /> Keller reiterated his statements on March 10, denying allegations that he was working for Kerry and discouraging [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]s from voting.<ref name="falseprophet2">Live Prayer Daily Devotional for March 10, 2004. [http://www.liveprayer.com/ddarchive3.cfm?id=1741 "Presidential Prophecy Follow-up - Part I"]</ref> Furthermore, Keller wrote that he was willing to be stoned to death should his prediction prove incorrect.<ref name="falseprophet2" /> Finally, on November 4, Bill Keller admitted his mistake while continuing his assertion that he was willing to be stoned to death.<ref>Live Prayer Daily Devotional for November 4, 2004. [http://www.liveprayer.com/ddarchive3.cfm?id=1981 "The Past 14 Years"]</ref>


===Criticism of Mitt Romney===
===Criticism of Mitt Romney===

Revision as of 19:31, 8 January 2010

Live Prayer
GenreReligious broadcasting
StarringBill Keller
Theme music composerJAVEN[1]
Opening theme"Hope for You"[1]
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodesover 1175[2]
Production
Executive producerBill Keller[1]
ProducerRich Nation[1]
Camera setupSteven Campbell[1]
Running time30 minutes (WXPX)
1 hour (all others)
Original release
NetworkWTOG 44 (2003-2007)
ION Television (2006; nationally)
WTTA 38 (2007)
WXPX 66 (2007)
Internet only (2008)
ReleaseMarch 3, 2003 (2003-03-03) –
August 31, 2007 (2007-08-31)

Live Prayer is a Christian evangelical Internet and television ministry located in Tampa, Florida and run by Bill Keller.

The ministry began in 1999 as a website featuring a daily devotional written by Keller and offers to accept and pray over emails,[3] later expanding into a daily TV show on March 3, 2003[4].

Live Prayer was broadcast nationally in the United States from July 3, 2006[4] through November 2006 on ION Television [5][6]. At the end of that period, the ministry was financially unable to continue purchasing time.

After moving across numerous several local networks (such as WTOG, WTTA, WXPX) and time slots while being simulcast on LivePrayer.com, the live call-in television show moved to being streamed live exclusively over the Internet at LivePrayer.com. On August 31, 2007 — after more than four years of daily showings — the final episode was aired for Internet viewers only. The ministry continues with Keller's daily devotional, acceptance of emails for prayer, and the "Live Prayer church" a Internet broadcast shown on Sundays consisting of a sermon by Keller and associated music.

Live Prayer receives an average of over forty thousand prayer requests by e-mail each day.[7] A group of more than 700 retired pastors read messages, pray over the requests, and write personalized replies. [6][3][8][5] To date Live Prayer has responded to over 60,000,000 prayer requests. [9][7][10] Live Prayer also maintains an archive of over three million praise reports from viewers.[2]

Television shows

Late night show

The Live Prayer television program began as a late-night show on WTOG where Bill Keller discussed current events from a biblical perspective and took phone calls. The show began on March 3d, 2003 and was seen nationwide on ION Television in 2006. On August 31, 2007, after 1,175[2] episodes and nearly 5 years, Live Prayer was pulled from WTOG due to complaints from the Council on American-Islamic Relations[11][12][13][14][15]; however, a new show "Live Prayer AM" began on September 3, 2007 on WTTA.[16][17][18]

Live Prayer AM

Live Prayer AM aired each weekday morning from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. (Eastern time) on WTTA, Tampa Bay's local MyNetworkTV affiliate. In early November 2007, because WTTA suddenly changed its policy regarding live call-in shows, the show moved to local ION station WXPX; while still seen at 7:30 a.m. the show was trimmed to a half-hour.[19]

The new format of Live Prayer AM was different from the original late-night show and featured more guests as well as on-site interviews with staff from attractions in Florida.

However, like the old late-night show, Live Prayer AM still started with Keller's monologue about current events and their relation to the Bible, continued with viewer call-ins, and ended with Bill asking his viewers to accept Jesus Christ.

On November 19, 2007, Keller announced that he was suspending his television program after the telecast on Friday, November 23, after officials from ION told Keller that it will no longer carry live programming. Keller has plans to revive the show on his website as an Internet-only live call-in broadcast in January 2008.[19]

Website

File:Lpwebsite.png
The LivePrayer.com website

Daily devotional

In August 1999, Keller began writing the Live Prayer Daily Devotional which he has continued to write everyday since. The devotional is now emailed to over 2,400,000 people around the world.[4] The Live Prayer Daily Devotional is also available on the website, in both written and audio form, as well as for cellphone users via WAP and in audio form over the phone.

Internet simulcast & show archive

The Live Prayer television program is also broadcast live on the website.[20] When the television program is not live, a feed from a webcam showing the Live Prayer office is shown instead. The website also has an archive of the past 5 Live Prayer episodes.

Live Prayer interactive CD-ROM

In 2007, Keller released a Live Prayer interactive CD-ROM, proudly touting it as "the greatest spiritual resource other than the Bible." The CD-ROM, sold for US$10 on the Live Prayer website, contained an archive of Keller's past daily devotionals as well as videos inviting viewers to "accept Jesus."

History

In August 1999 Bill Keller started writing the Live Prayer daily devotional and started the Live Prayer television program in March 2003. Live Prayer has been growing quickly since and first appeared on national TV in July 2006.[4]

Howard Stern appearance

Keller has been on The Howard Stern Show three times. He first appeared on March 1, 2007, for a short appearance where he discussed his history and beliefs. He appeared twice more for two one-hour Live Prayer specials on Howard 101 on March 26, 2007, and April 1, 2007. While on the show he counseled wack packers (including "Jeff the drunk" for whom Bill Keller offered to find work as a carpenter's apprentice),[21][22] and took live phone calls. [23][24] On his last appearance he challenged Rosie O'Donnell to defend her anti-Christian views, specifically her statement that "fundamentalist Christianity is no different from radical Islam". Howard Stern offered to host a debate between the two; however O'Donnell has not replied to his challenge.

Controversy

"Prophecy" that John Kerry would become president in 2004

I am sad to say today that President Bush has failed in that special role God called him to play in leading this nation back to the God of the Bible. FOR THAT REASON, HE WILL NOT BE RE-ELECTED.

— Bill Keller,[25] March 8, 2004

On March 8, 2004, Keller "prophesied" that George W. Bush would not be re-elected president due to his perceived lack of support for the State of Israel, among other issues.[25] Keller erroneously predicted the election of Democratic contender John Kerry.[25] Keller reiterated his statements on March 10, denying allegations that he was working for Kerry and discouraging Republicans from voting.[26] Furthermore, Keller wrote that he was willing to be stoned to death should his prediction prove incorrect.[26] Finally, on November 4, Bill Keller admitted his mistake while continuing his assertion that he was willing to be stoned to death.[27]

Criticism of Mitt Romney

On May 11, 2007, Keller wrote that "a vote for Romney is a vote for Satan" in his daily devotional because Mitt Romney is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an organization that he considers to be a cult. [28][29][30] Keller repeated this statement on the Live Prayer television program,[31] which was later included in the documentary film Article VI: Faith. Politics. America. Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State later wrote a letter to the Internal Revenue Service asking them to revoke Live Prayer's tax exempt status due to Bill Keller's allegedly political statements. Bill Keller later clarified his statements saying he was spreaking on a spiritual topic, not a political one.[32][33][34][35][36]

Later, on June 21, 2007, Keller appeared on the show in a Mormon temple garment, which he characterized as "magical underwear". He challenged Romney to make public his own Mormon temple garment.[37]

Finally, on June 28, 2007, Keller invited evangelist Ed Decker — an opponent of the LDS church and a former Mormon priest[38] — to discuss Mormonism, Freemasonry, and an alleged relationship between the two groups.[39]

Message to Osama bin Laden

On September 17, 2007, Keller released a 10-minute video message,[40] in which he asked Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to repent and "accept Jesus"; he also urged other Muslims to do the same. The video was released not only on Keller's own website, but also various other websites as well.[41][42]

Criticism of Oprah Winfrey

Keller frequently criticizes talk-show host and media personality Oprah Winfrey for promoting new age spiritual products such as The Secret and A Course in Miracles.[43]


Criticism of Barack Obama

Bill Keller has engaged in various criticisms of Barack Obama both prior to his election and then with greater fervour after he became President. Among other things, Keller alleges that Obama is "God's enemy", is providing "false hope", and that Obama was born in Kenya. Keller has even gone so far as to compare Obama's surge in popularity — particularly among youth — to that of Adolf Hitler.

Beliefs

Keller and the other members of his ministry preach that the original Bible manuscripts are inerrant, that Jesus Christ was the son of God born of the virgin Mary, that humans are born with sin, and that salvation can only be attained through by "accepting Jesus Christ". [44] Keller also contends that Biblical law has been done away with and that contemporary Jews constitute the Israelites of the Old Testament

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Live Prayer credits
  2. ^ a b c Live Prayer Daily Devotional for August 31st, 2007
  3. ^ a b The Christian Post - LivePrayer.com Responds to 60 Million Prayers,
  4. ^ a b c d Liberty University News: A Prodigal Son Turns Preacher
  5. ^ a b WorldNetDaily - 'Dr. Phil' of prayer to hit national TV
  6. ^ a b USA Religious News - "LivePrayer with Bill Keller" Going National
  7. ^ a b MichNews.com - Prayer Times 60 Million? You Do the Math!
  8. ^ Gillespie, Natalie Nichols. "Evangelist Wins Souls Online - Charisma Magazine - Proclaiming Jesus to the World". www.charismamag.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  9. ^ USA Religious News - Liveprayer.com, Hits Seven Year Milestone and 60 Million Prayer Mark!
  10. ^ Christian News Wire - Nationally Syndicated Late-Night Talk Show 'Live Prayer with Bill Keller' Launches Live Tonight on the I-Network
  11. ^ Tampa Bay's 10 - Televangelist loses TV show; Accessed 9-20-2007.
  12. ^ First Coast News - St. Petersburg Televangelist Loses Show After Muslims Complain; Accessed 9-20-2007.
  13. ^ Associated Press - Televangelist Critical of Islam Dumped (August 24, 2007); Accessed 9-20-2007.
  14. ^ KansasCity.com - TV station yanks program by televangelist who condemns other religions; Accessed 9-20-2007.
  15. ^ Belfast Telegraph - American televangelist axed after anti-Muslim outburst (August 25, 2007); Accessed 9-20-2007.
  16. ^ Live Prayer Daily Devotional for August 28th, 2007
  17. ^ "Christian TV show out, Muslim pressure group blamed". www.wnd.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  18. ^ Davis, Sherri. "Southpinellas: TV station pulls plug on Keller". www.sptimes.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  19. ^ a b "State: Dateline Florida". www.sptimes.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  20. ^ "Prayer Requests and Miracles 24 hours a day! Prayer". www.liveprayer.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  21. ^ Live Prayer Daily Devotional for March 29th, 2007 "Into the lion's den"
  22. ^ Live Prayer Daily Devotional for March 30h, 2007 "Into the Lion's Den"
  23. ^ LivePrayer.com - Archive of Howard Stern appearances
  24. ^ Jackson, Kevin. "Howard Stern Invites 'Live Prayer' to His Studio". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31. {{cite web}}: Text "Christianpost.com" ignored (help)
  25. ^ a b c Live Prayer Daily Devotional for March 8, 2004. "A Special Word in Regard to the 2004 United States Presidential Race"
  26. ^ a b Live Prayer Daily Devotional for March 10, 2004. "Presidential Prophecy Follow-up - Part I"
  27. ^ Live Prayer Daily Devotional for November 4, 2004. "The Past 14 Years"
  28. ^ WorldNetDaily - 'Vote for Romney is vote for Satan'
  29. ^ "Evangelist in hot water over Romney remark - The Boston Globe". www.boston.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  30. ^ Cooperman, Alan. "Separation of Church and State and Tax Exemptions - washingtonpost.com". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  31. ^ Live Prayer episode for May 11, 2007 "A vote for Romney is a vote for Satan."
  32. ^ Live Prayer episode for June 1, 2007 "Barry Lynn"
  33. ^ Televangelist Bill Keller calls Mormonism and Islam "False Religions"
  34. ^ WorldNetDaily - Activist's church mixes politics, religion but sics IRS on Bill Keller, leading Internet evangelist
  35. ^ "Prayer Requests and Miracles 24 hours a day! Prayer". www.liveprayer.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  36. ^ WorldNetDaily - Group sics IRS on Mormon critic
  37. ^ Live Prayer episode for June 21, 2007 "Mitt Romney, show me your underwear"
  38. ^ http://www.saintsalive.com/who.html
  39. ^ Live Prayer episode for June 28th 2007 "Mormonism and Freemasonry (with guest Ed Decker)"
  40. ^ "Bill's Message To Osama Bin Laden - To Usama Bin Laden, hell awaits you unless... from Bill Keller,liverprayer.com". www.liveprayer.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  41. ^ St. Petersburg Times, September 18, 2007, page 1B
  42. ^ "Switcheroo: American minister sends video to Osama". www.wnd.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  43. ^ Westmark, Jan. "Internet Evangelist Believes Oprah Winfrey Is Starting Her Own Cult". www.allheadlinenews.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31. {{cite web}}: Text "AHN" ignored (help); Text "December 31, 2008" ignored (help)
  44. ^ Live Prayer Statement of Faith
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