Mississippi preacher says religion has financial perks

Reverend George Stoat of Flowood, Mississippi has dedicated all of his adult life to his faith. In recent years, this has lead to him taking a more hands on approach to the traditionally televangelism based prosperity gospel.

“I remember, when I was just three years old, I found a quarter. My father told me that I'd found that quarter because God wanted me to be happy. Well, I kept that quarter instead of buying gum like I'd wanted. Next week, I found a dollar. I'd be lying if I told you I didn't spend that though,” Stoat said.

Stoat kept his 'divine' quarter with him throughout his life. It rests in a mounted display case in the office of his present day ministries. According to Stoat, the quarter was with him and played a pivotal role in many events that changed the course of his life: his teenage job on a used card lot, paying for the privilege to meet his future trophy wives, and his job at Ponzi and Sons Investment Brokers. All of these, he claims, were a result of that one quarter.

It was when the quarter “burnt with a divine fire,” that Stoat felt his calling to the ministry. After a short study at a controversial seminary run by Benny Hinn, Stoat opened his doors. Every Wednesday and Sunday, like traditional churches, Stoat's followers gather in a small hall to listen to him speak. There he recounts the tales of his life. The typical theme being how having a little faith can have great returns. Evenings end with Stoat calling for donations, which he then invests for his followers. He hopes that they will all eventually be able to afford to build an even larger home for his ministries to “share the bounty of the Lord.”

“You see, in my years, I discovered one thing. The Godliest of men always seem to have the most money. What I mean is, when you look around, you see that most of the men, apart from a few loonies, with the most money all have a great faith in the Lord. Some say it is because they exploit people, but they are just jealous of the Lord's blessings,” said Stoat.

One of Stoat's most controversial claims has been the effect of education on potential prosperity. He holds that an education actually dampens the religious fervor of his followers, which causes God to look them over when they would otherwise receive a blessing. Dr. Theresa Barnes (56), an atheist, is one of his most outspoken critics.

“He's a menace! He's actually telling people that they ought to be dumb, and accept what he has to say as the word of God. Can you believe that? Have they even bothered to look at his past? Stoat is up to no good, and is decrying one of the things most valuable to our society, an education,” said Barnes.

Stoat takes a cavalier approach to Barnes' criticisms. He even used her as an example to illustrate several of his points during one sermon. Word eventually reached Barnes, who has sued Stoat for slander.

“All I said was that the reason she feels the need to attack me is because she is so unhappy and unsuccessful is because she cut God from her life. Colleges are places of unhappiness even for the most devout believer. Can't you see? College students, even the most well-funded, always seem perpetually poor. This is obviously the displeasure of the Lord. What makes matters worse is Ms. Barnes has not only stepped beyond her station as a woman, but that she also thinks blaming a person of integrity will make everything better for her,” said Stoat.

Public opinion of Stoat is varied, but he shared that numerous towns in Alabama have sent him letters telling him that they would welcome him with open arms. While he doesn't know what the future will bring, Stoat is sure everything will be fine as long as he has his lucky quarter.