MAGA pastor vows to direct God to 'be an enemy to your enemies' for $1K
- Oscar Jones
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
Paula White-Cain, the prominent televangelist known for her close ties to Donald Trump and her position within the MAGA movement's religious sphere, is once again drawing sharp criticism for a high-dollar fundraising appeal tied directly to divine promises. According to reporting highlighted by Raw Story and sourced from watchdog group Right Wing Watch, White-Cain is offering followers a specific set of seven "Blessings of Passover," including prosperity, health, and God acting as "an enemy to your enemies," in exchange for a donation of $1,000 or more before the upcoming Passover and Easter holidays.
The Passover/Easter Offer Details
In a video revealed by Right Wing Watch, White-Cain, who served as an advisor in Trump's White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative (referred to as a "special government employee" in the source material), explicitly links a $1,000 donation to specific divine actions aligned with the Passover season, which she marked as starting April 12 and running through Easter on April 20 [Note: these dates from the source text likely refer to a specific year, possibly 2025 as mentioned, or are based on a particular calculation]. The core of the offer revolves around seven enumerated blessings she claims donors will receive.
As outlined in the promotional video and reported by Raw Story, these blessings are:
God will assign an angel specifically to the donor.
God will "be an enemy to your enemies."
God will grant prosperity.
God will take sickness away from the donor.
God will grant long life.
God will bring an "increase for inheritance."
God will provide a "special year of blessing."
The promise that God will actively act as an "enemy to your enemies" is particularly striking and likely to draw significant theological debate and criticism regarding the portrayal of God's nature and intervention contingent upon a financial transaction.
Quid Pro Quo and Spiritual Justification
Despite the explicitly transactional nature of offering specific divine blessings for a set donation amount, White-Cain includes a familiar caveat often employed in prosperity gospel fundraising. "You're not doing this to get something," she states in the video clip, "but you're doing it in honor to God, realizing what you can receive." This phrasing attempts to reframe the exchange, suggesting the donation is primarily an act of devotion, while simultaneously reinforcing the expectation of receiving the promised divine benefits. Critics argue this rhetorical maneuver allows televangelists to solicit funds based on promised returns while maintaining a veneer of piety.
Further sweetening the deal, the promotion mentions that donors contributing $1,000 or more will also receive a physical gift: a Waterford crystal cross. The source material notes that similar items retail for around $100 but are often available at discounted prices, highlighting the significant markup involved when framed as part of a $1,000 donation package tied to spiritual blessings.
Context of Past Controversies and Prosperity Gospel
This latest appeal fits a pattern previously observed in White-Cain's ministry and documented by groups like Right Wing Watch. As Raw Story notes, she has a history of controversial fundraising tactics linked to specific spiritual promises. The article specifically references a 2016 incident where she reportedly sold a "resurrection seed" rock for $1,144, drawing comparisons to artifacts from popular fiction and accusations of exploiting followers' faith for financial gain.
Such practices are hallmarks of the Prosperity Gospel, a theological viewpoint White-Cain prominently espouses. This doctrine teaches that God desires believers to be wealthy and healthy, and that financial donations ("seed faith") are a key mechanism to unlock these divine blessings. Critics, spanning mainstream Christian denominations and secular watchdog groups, condemn this theology as manipulative, unbiblical, and harmful, particularly to vulnerable individuals who may give beyond their means in hopes of a divine payout. They argue it commercializes faith and presents God's favor as something purchasable rather than freely given.
Political Dimensions and Broader Implications
White-Cain's continued visibility is amplified by her strong association with Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. Her role as a spiritual advisor lends a religious dimension to that political sphere, and her actions are often interpreted within that context. Fundraising appeals like this one, especially those invoking divine intervention against "enemies," can take on political undertones when viewed through the lens of her alignment. It fuels ongoing debates about Christian nationalism, the blending of partisan politics with religious authority, and the influence of controversial theological figures within conservative political movements.
This specific $1,000 appeal for Passover/Easter blessings serves as a potent example of the practices that make Paula White-Cain a lightning rod for controversy, highlighting the persistent tension between faith, fundraising, political influence, and the ethical questions surrounding the Prosperity Gospel movement.
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