Peter Popoff, the American evangelical preacher, is one of the classic unsinkable rubber ducks of woo. The skeptical icon James “The Amazing” Randi exposed Popoff in 1987 on the Johnny Carson show by sneaking in a radio receiver and recording equipment and recording the sometimes foul and revealing conversation beween Popoff’s wife Elizabeth and Popoff himself, who was listening to her reveal information about members of the audience.  Popoff would present this information as divinely inspired in order to complete the illusion that he had access to the power of God to heal members of his congregation.

The subsequent financial meltdown of Popoff and his people did not stop his endeavours and he returned shortly thereafter.  Lately, he has been hawking “Miracle Water” and “Supernatural Debt Elimination” which are as dubious as they sound.  This past week the Pastor visited Toronto for an invitation only prayer meeting in downtown Toronto.  A friend of the Centre for Inquiry, Canada got a hold of 4 tickets and the following video was created using footage recorded covertly during the meeting.

Faith healing is alive and well in this 21st century, here are some links for more information on the current trends and flim flam being peddled to the vunerable.

Dr. Stephan Barrett of Quackwatch

What’s The Harm?

Here is the original program detailing James “The Amazing” Randi’s efforts to uncover Popoff’s lies:

Finally, here is a great documentary on a evangalist turned whistleblower, The Story of Marjoe, from 1972, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary in that same year.