# I thought I had seen it all with religious shysters - but wow Peter Popoff ! Scum! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 22, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955 "2009-02-22T16:38:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/1 "2009-02-22T16:38:31Z")
This dude sells\* Miracle Manna\*. It is by far the creepiest nutcase religious fanatic bullshit I have ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/2 "2009-02-22T19:03:24Z")
He is a [fraud](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Popoff), and the lowest of the low. Using religion to prey on the gullible, the poor, the hurting. ---
**Author:** ![Lungfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d78d45/32.png) [@Lungfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lungfish)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/3 "2009-02-22T19:47:05Z")
[Miracle Manna Commercial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4_CYVGN15E) I wish a pox upon his house. Seriously, why isn’t he in a Federal prison? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/4 "2009-02-22T21:21:06Z")
I think this will do better in the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![George\_Kaplin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/5 "2009-02-22T21:48:42Z")
Check out this [video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKQTm8wfsro&NR=1), filmed by some disgruntled customers. ---
**Author:** ![George\_Kaplin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/6 "2009-02-22T21:57:33Z")
By the way, I’d never heard of this guy before but after checking out some of his T.V. spots I can safely say that he is, without doubt, the [creepiest motherfucker](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VsAKPcGDmk&NR=1) I’ve ever seen, ever. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/7 "2009-02-22T22:00:58Z")
I don’t have cable now, but I _miss_ Popoff! He was on late at night when I was doing, uh, next weeks homework, and I liked to have him on. In the bits with just him and his wife, his speech has this soothing, [mesmerizing cant](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN94yO-uYf4) to it. I almost want some mp3s of him to fall asleep with, but I’m afraid I’d wake up reprogrammed. 😃 I had no idea he was still so popular; his stuff was dated back when I was watching it, and I thought he’d disappeared with the Spice Girls. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/8 "2009-02-22T22:16:57Z")
That’s a flatbread that they’re calling a “Miracle Manna Loaf,” isn’t it? Is that supposed to be what the miracle is? That it’s a flatbread and a loaf at the same time? ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/9 "2009-02-22T22:25:20Z")
Not sure what it signifies, but the ad on my screen if for “UnderJams, so the child who wets the bed can have a little privacy . . .” I dunno. Struck me funny. Peter Popoff is horrid. But have any of you ever seen Jack Van Impe? And his Mrs.? Words fail me. I don’t know if he ever sells Miracle Manna, though. Probably sells some other fake crap. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/10 "2009-02-22T22:49:32Z")
> [@George\_Kaplin](#): > > By the way, I’d never heard of this guy before but after checking out some of his T.V. spots I can safely say that he is, without doubt, the [creepiest motherfucker](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VsAKPcGDmk&NR=1) I’ve ever seen, ever. Wow. He looks like the unholy spawn of Wayne Newton and Ronald Regan. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/11 "2009-02-22T23:04:36Z")
Heal it Cheeesus!!! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/acfHRGxwV_E/hqdefault.jpg "Secrets of The Psychics (Part 2 of 6)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acfHRGxwV_E) Skip to 2:40 for the part where James Randi exposed _Peter the Poof_ back in the 80’s As a commenter in Youtube mentioned, “the fact that popoff even after being exposed is still able to be on tv and sell shit is proof enough god does not exist. I think zeus woulda done a better job smiting this fool than the christian god ever did” ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/12 "2009-02-23T00:07:39Z")
> [@vison](#): > > But have any of you ever seen Jack Van Impe? And his Mrs.? Words fail me. Oh, come on, Jack and Rexella are FUN! They are SO enthusiastic about the upcoming cataclysm! And they have (had? it’s been a while) Chuck Ohman, the Dom Pardo of televangelism voiceovers, that’s gotta count for something. Popoff OTOH is just… unbelievable that he’s still on. ---
**Author:** ![Lyanthya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/aca169/32.png) [@Lyanthya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lyanthya)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2009, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/13 "2009-02-23T00:36:52Z")
Miracle Wheat Thins? I have a recipe for Wheat Thins. Maybe I should give ole Petey some competition. I’m sure mine would be tastier. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2009, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/14 "2009-02-23T00:44:19Z")
So somebody tell me, just how does the scam work. At what point does he ask for money? There’s nothing in the YouTube ad requesting a payment. Anybody want to call and let us know? How much does he eventually ask you for. S&H maybe? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2009, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/15 "2009-02-23T00:48:07Z")
He may be bad but one Sunday I caught a black bishop dressed in a very fancy purple religious outfit. He was selling blessed rubber bands for 25 bucks. The prick was too cheap to spring for decent trinkets.it gave me the creeps. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/16 "2009-02-23T01:15:51Z")
> [@Spartydog](#): > > So somebody tell me, just how does the scam work. At what point does he ask for money? There’s nothing in the YouTube ad requesting a payment. > > Anybody want to call and let us know? How much does he eventually ask you for. S&H maybe? He sends it in a package with another envelope that says you need to send him money after you’ve eaten your all powerful saltines. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2009, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/17 "2009-02-23T01:39:06Z")
Peter Popoff first came to my attention during the early 1980’s, when he used to solicit money to attach Bibles to balloons and float them into the Soviet Union. I thought he had gone down with the Berlin Wall, but no such luck. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/18 "2009-02-23T01:40:34Z")
How come anybody sends money to televangelists? Ever? I’d love to see Jesus give them the smackdown they all collectively deserve. Popoff is the worst of a despicable lot. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2009, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/19 "2009-02-23T02:58:12Z")
Back in the early 80s I used to go out with my band and play somewhere, and after we packed up and headed ack to the band house, sit and get hammered and watch this white televangelist, no idea what his name was, but he would sit at a desk, and alternately sing and preach, and slam his hand on the desk and tell the camera that he knew that there were at least 10 000 people watching, and that he could afford ‘whatever’ [one time i remember he wanted a new roof for his church] and that if everybody sent in only a single dollar, he could put a new roof on … he used o wear a dark suit, cowboy hat and cowboy boots… Damn, he was fun to watch. Do they have a little elastic strap on the bible so they can wave it around while it is sitting open on their palm and it doesn’t fall off? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955/20 "2009-02-23T03:32:34Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Back in the early 80s I used to go out with my band and play somewhere, and after we packed up and headed ack to the band house, sit and get hammered and watch this white televangelist, no idea what his name was, but he would sit at a desk, and alternately sing and preach, and slam his hand on the desk and tell the camera that he knew that there were at least 10 000 people watching, and that he could afford ‘whatever’ [one time i remember he wanted a new roof for his church] and that if everybody sent in only a single dollar, he could put a new roof on … he used o wear a dark suit, cowboy hat and cowboy boots… > > Damn, he was fun to watch. > > Do they have a little elastic strap on the bible so they can wave it around while it is sitting open on their palm and it doesn’t fall off? I believe that you are talking about Dr. Gene Scott: > **[purgatorio1.com](http://purgatorio1.com/?p=102)** I remember a comedian then said of him: Does this guy \*\*ever \*\*goes to the restroom? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-i-had-seen-it-all-with-religious-shysters-but-wow-peter-popoff-scum/486955.md?page=2)