“It’s as Backawards as Can Be”: Things in American Culture That Make No Sense to the Rest of the World

The United States has the largest population of Christians in the world. Combined with relatively easy access to television gives you the uniquely American phenomenon of the televangelist. Although this televised form of ministry has spread to other parts of the world, it started in the United States.

The widespread practice of televangelism has roots in tent revivalism and Christian preachers using early radio as a tool. There is one great irony about these TV-based preachers, however. Many of these famous preachers are incredibly wealthy and love living lavish, material lifestyles. Kenneth Copeland is the country’s wealthiest preacher, reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars. To top it all off, he doesn’t pay property taxes. Cool.