Peter Popoff

Peter Popoff, a Christian faith-healer and televangelist, is likely best known for being revealed as a charlatan during the 80s. Popoff would hold sermons, and he would approach and 'heal' certain members of his audience. He would know their names, he would know their addresses, and he would know their ailments. The atmospheres his sermons created were overwhelmed with emotion from the miraculous abilities he claimed to possess; and this all made him very wealthy. Other work of his includes claims that he sent bibles to communist areas, and preached Christianity in China. It's also said he funded a programme to send bibles across communist borders through the use of helium balloons. His most prominent item for sale is 'miracle spring water'.

History

Peter Popoff is a German-born American. He was born in Germany on the 2nd of July 1946 to parents Gerda and George. I've found conflicting accounts about where Peter Popoff was born with some sources saying East Berlin and with others saying West Berlin or Hamburg. Due to other information I've found, I feel it's likely that Popoff was likely born in East Berlin; and the accounts of West Berlin and Hamburg may be as a result of the Popoff family eventually leaving East Germany for America and so may have travelled through these places while Peter was still a very young boy.

Peter's dad was an ethnic Bulgarian and lived behind the Iron Curtain: the same as Peter's grandad. Preaching the gospel was forbidden and both Peter's dad and grandad were tortured for their faith. Behind the Iron Curtain, communism was in full fledge and so Christianity was forbidden. As a result, churches were hidden underground. During 1950, the Popoff family left Berlin for America. They left Europe by boat and settled in Montclaire, California. Regarding Popoff's education, he attended Chaffey College and transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara. I have found though that Popoff was homeschooled from the 8th grade so that he could travel and preach with his dad; something which happened from 1960. Popoff then graduated from university in 1970.

While Peter Popoff travelled with his dad, he became known as 'The Miracle Boy Evangelist'. There were advertisements describing Peter under this title, and they claimed Peter to be both born in a West Berlin bomb shelter and rescued from a Siberian prison camp. During August 1971, Peter married his wife Elizabeth; and both travelled across America together to preach in churches. During these sermons, stories would be told of the underground churches back in East Germany; and Popoff would describe an operation he was creating where helium balloons were being filled with bibles and sent into these communist areas. When asked about these bible invasions, and when asked to provide proof that donated money was going towards these missions, a burglary occured at his headquarters which people have said was staged by Popoff. During 1982, it was reported by the AP that helium balloons were delivering bibles from Finland into the Soviet Union; and the burglary after being questioned about the balloons seemingly occured in 1985.

It's been said that Peter Popoff has been active since 1977, although this could be the year the fame of his sermons began to increase. Other activities relating to the bible invasions include dropping bibles, which were wrapped in styrofoam for buoyancy, into the Black Sea. This was another attempt to get bibles into communist areas of the world.He also smuggled bibles into China, and it's been said that people in Eastern Europe walked 150 miles to hear Popoff preach. When it came to the border guards, apparently they let him pass because 'they were hungry to know about God'. Popoff's work in smuggling Christian literature into places it was forbidden occured through the 1980s.

Back in America, Popoff gained a reputation for being a faith-healer. Along with being able to heal the sick, he also seemed to have some degree of psychic ability due to knowing so much about the people he was claiming to heal. It's also been said that, in the late 1970s, Popoff recieved a vision which indicated for him to reach people through radio. He started a radio programme in 1976, and his broadcasts were heard on over one hundred stations across America along with other parts of the world.

Popoff's fame grew, and during the May of 1986 his fraudulent practise was revealed to the world. The magician and skeptic, James Randi, had taken an interest in Peter Popoff. This interest meant that Randi suspected Popoff of being a fraud, and as a result wanted to expose Popoff to save people lots of money that they otherwise would donate during the preacher's sermons. Randi started investigating Popoff by planting associates into the audience of the sermons; knowing he himself could not attend through probability of being recognised as the well-known magician he was. The same associates would visit a number of sermons, but would often go in disguise to each one.

One associate of Randi's who was involved in the investigation into Popoff was Steve Shaw, also known as the magician Banachek. During one of the sermons, Shaw noticed that Popoff was wearing what looked like a hearing aid. He immediately told Randi about it, and both men agreed it was odd that a man who claimed to heal the deaf needed a hearing aid himself. Randi suspected it to be a device used to relay information to Popoff, especially as the attendees of the sermons were given cards before the service to write down their names, addresses, and what they prayed would be healed.

Randi brought the crime scene analyst and electronics expert, Alec Jason, into the investigation. Alec went to one of Popoff's venues while Popoff wasn't present and scanned for radio frequencies which were in use there. Then, while Popoff was performing at the location, Alec visited the venue again while dressed as a security guard. He did the same scan as he had done previously to see if any new frequencies had appeared; and one had. Alec listened in on the frequency, while recording the audio, and heard a female voice clearly talking directly to Peter Popoff. The female voice could then be heard telling Peter all the information he needed to know, and the voice directed him towards the people he was calling for to heal. Having successfully recorded this audio, Alec gave it to Randi who realised the female voice was indeed Peter's wife, Elizabeth.

The full investigation into Peter Popoff by James Randi lasted for six months, and included over sixty volunteers who attended sermons. Hours of conversations through Popoff's earpiece were obtained by James Randi, and with this significant evidence he took it straight to 'The Tonight Show' with Johnny Carson. The recordings were played on the programme, overlayed to footage of Popoff so that it could clearly be seen what Popoff had been doing all along. The event made national news . A public relations consultant for Peter Popoff, Janice Gleason, said that the earpiece was used to keep in touch with the TV crew and that the female voice on the footage was faked and not Popoff's wife. However, Popoff did later admit that it was his wife and compared his TV appearances to a game show in regards to it making for good television. He declared bankruptcy the following year in the September of 1987. He has claimed that declaring bankruptcy was a mistake guided by ill advice from lawyers. Popoff has also said the revelation on 'The Tonight Show' barely hurt his finances. He's said they decreased by a third for three months, stabilised in the fourth month, and then began to increase again in the fifth month.

As for why Randi felt the need to expose Popoff in the way he did; Randi felt that what Popoff did was incredibly dangerous. Not only was Popoff fleecing people out of money by claiming to heal them through God's power, but he was convincing them that they were healed. He told people in his sermons to 'break free of the devil' by throwing away their prescribed medication. He was telling people with serious conditions, such as cancer, that they didn't have to see doctors anymore because they were healed; and not only did people believe him, but they sent him lots of money, money which should have been spent on doctors and medication.

It didn't end with 'The Tonight Show' and bankruptcy though. During the 90s, Popoff began to appear in auditoriums and stadiums around the world. Through this decade, he also began to reach people directly through the TV. In the mid-2000s, Popoff bought time on TV to promote his latest gimmick 'miracle spring water'. These adverts ran during the night, and Popoff referred to himself as a prophet. These adverts ran in America, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. I've found that they were still running in 2022, so it's possible that they may still be running today. As for what 'miracle spring water' is; 'this is water from the pool that the Lord himself led the Christians to during the horrible Chernobyl nuclear accident. Tens of thousands died, and yet every Christian was miraculously spared'.

The miracle spring water has also been described as a powerful biblical point of contact, and that almost all miracles in both the old and new testaments occured when a point of contact was used. As for what the water actually is, it comes from 'Poland Spring' and Popoff has requested that his own preblessed water is added to the Poland Spring water. This means that the miracle spring water does include a teeny tiny bit of holiness. Other gimmicks that can be aquired from Popoff include 'revelation stones' and 'baruch wallets'.

Popoff has been investigated by a number of people, and has even inspired pop culture. One Anthony, the founder of the 'Trinity Foundation' has investigated Peter Popoff and other faith healers since 1987. The youtube vlogger dprjones has also tried to get Popoff off the air as aside the adverts, Popoff has also had a TV programme on the American Christian channel 'Word Network', along with on 'Black Entertainment Television'. In 1992, the Steve Martin film 'Leap of Faith' was inspired by Popoff's sermons. Peter Popoff may also be one of many televangelists to have inspired the 1992 Genesis song 'Jesus He Knows Me'; with the song itself being a cynical description of the hypocrisy often preached by televangelists and faith-healers. During 2008, the UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom sent strong warnings to broadcasters for sharing Popoff's material as it targeted 'potential susceptible and vulnerable viewers'. In 2009, the UK ran adverts of Popoff's for blessed water and holy sand. Then, in 2011, Popoff won the 'Pigasus Award For Fraudulent Practices' which was given to him by the James Randi Educational Foundation.

After Popoff had declared bankruptcy, his ministry was rebranded to 'People United For Christ', and the target audience changed to focus on African-Americans. One of Popoff's claims was that if you gave him money, then God would repay you tenfold or write off your debts. Over the years, Popoff has made over $23 million through this scheme. IRS forms show that by 2003, Popoff's new organisation was netting over $9 million a year; and that he paid himself and his wife a combined salary of over half a million dollars a year. His son, daughter, and son-in-law were each netting over a hundred thousand dollars. Three years later in 2006, Popoff's revenue was at just over $35 million. During 2006, Popoff's organisation combined with a small minister called 'Word For The World' which operated out of a tiny storefront in Farmers Branch, Texas. This act took Popoff's organisation from being a for-profit organisation into being a religious organisation. It's been speculated that this was done so that Popoff's ministry no longer had to disclose it's annual income or salaries to the IRS due to the status change, plus it no longer has to pay tax.

An idea of how rich Popoff and his ministry are can still be gathered though. During 2007, Popoff bought a 7,300 square foot house for $4.5 million which is located in a gated community in Bradbury, California. This community is owned by his church and so is tax free for him to live there. He's said since buying the house that it's value has increased to $10 million. Plus, a Bentley purchase document from January 2009 has listed Popoff's monthly income at $100,000. Popoff's ministry, 'People United For Christ', is located in a suite of white buildings in an industrial section of Upland, California. It's been said that the building goes on lockdown the moment any media are seen. It's also been said that these buildings are used to process money, cheques, and other valuables which are sent to Popoff's ministry. Anything sent which has no value, such as prayer requests, are shredded.

Popoff's children seem likely to inherit Popoff's business one day. His daughter Amy acted as the chief administrative officer, and his son Nick acted as the executive vice president. It's said that they also have the 'gift'. Popoff, when questioned by the media, has admitted that there is nothing magical about the items you can get from him; including the water. He has affirmed that they are just points of contact to focus prayers on.

My Thoughts

The strangest thing about Popoff, aside the conflicting information around where he was born, is that it seems he genuinely thinks he is helping people; and in a way he is. There is footage of Popoff approaching people in wheelchairs, and people who have canes, and he'll get these people to stand up and say that the Lord has healed them and that they can walk unaided again. I've found in the case of the wheelchairs, Popoff had wheelchairs instead of seats in the front row and people were directed to sit in these wheelchairs. This created the illusion that some divine power was at play rather than the simple truth that those in the wheelchairs had been seated there by Popoff's people. The way he is helping people comes to the overall atmosphere created by witnessing such events which are perceived as miraculous.

The placebo effect can be quite a powerful thing when it comes to psychology and healing. It isn't so powerful that it can cure cancer, but it can improve your mood and it can provide you with additional strength which may be required to overcome some form of obstacle or minor ailment. So, if you were ill and you attend one of Popoff's events; technically he would be making you better. It's just a mental improvement rather than a physical one, and I believe this raises all sorts of ethical debate.

To get the obvious out of the way, I think James Randi has shown quite effectively that Peter Popoff has none of the abilities he claimed to possess. Therefore my stance on Popoff regarding his faith-healing ability and psychic ability is that these 'gifts' of his are none existent. That doesn't mean they aren't present in other individuals, but I dont believe they are present in Popoff. Now, the debates. I believe it raises two debates, the first is 'how ethical is it for someone preaching the word of God to request money?' The second is 'how ethical is it to help the sick through the placebo effect by claiming to possess a power you don't have?'

For the first debate, I always find those representing Christianity, a religion which preaches that you need very little in life to be happy and that money isn't everything, to be quite hypocritical when it comes to the money side of the religion. I understand churches are old buildings, and upkeep isn't free, and so I feel a donation option is fine but that members of the church shouldn't push for donations. On these grounds, I think Popoff is wrong to use religion in the way he does to aquire far more than he really needs in life. He's extremely rich, and to an extent the Bible preaches against acquiring such wealth through such means. The two examples of these biblical teachings come from the story of Jesus' disciple Matthew, and from Jesus' visit to Jerusalem. Matthew was an extremely wealthy tax collector for the Romans, and was hated by the Jewish people for it, but left all of that behind to follow Jesus and become a disciple. When Jesus visited Jerusalem, he saw the temple had been used for monetary gain through the use of market stalls and as a result lost his temper at the realisation that God's house was being used for personal monetary gain rather than as a place of worship. I see no difference between what Jesus was furious at and what Popoff has been doing.

Now, the second debate. On one hand Popoff is helping people, but he's doing it through dishonest means; means which are claiming the false use of God's powers. I'm not religious, but I feel that it's unethical from a religious standpoint. One of the ten commandments prohibited the use of idols as a substitute for God, and I feel that through the acquiring of wealth and fame, plus the claim of being able to harness God's power to heal, Popoff has created an idol out of himself. I feel this is reason enough for Popoff's doings to be unethical from a religious standpoint. It's definitely unethical from a medical standpoint too as he's convincing people to not see doctors and to throw away medication when they still need it.

The fundamental of the debate is 'is it ok to lie if it will make someone feel better?' I feel phrasing it in such a simple way will make the debate far more clear to anyone who was certain when framing it in religious or medical terms. As a result, it is tough; and I can see why Popoff may truly believe he is helping people and that what he is doing is good. It reminds me of a time a couple of years ago when quite often on the way home from work, I would be sat next to an old woman on the bus. Usually I listen to my music, but this woman wanted to talk to me through the journey as she said she was in lots of pain and talking helped to take her mind off it. Through the journey she described various aspects of her life, and her illnesses, and I wasn't quite sure what to say through it all. At one point in the journey we passed a graveyard, and the woman literally cowered in fear and looked away as we passed it. She said she couldn't look because she knew that the time she would be there wouldn't be far away, and this is where I knew I had to reassure the woman. I didn't say she wouldn't ever die, but I tried to reassure her that the day she died may not be as soon as she thinks.

Going back to the Popoff conundrum, I don't see how what I did for the old woman on the bus is much different from what Popoff has done. At its core, Popoff has reassured people that the day they die may not be as soon as they think. However, Popoff has done more than that. He has gone a step further than saying things may get better, he's said they are healed. This definitive language is what makes Popoff's actions completely unethical. It's fine to comfort, and it's fine to reassure. I would even say that using the placebo effect for certain cases is completely understandable and acceptable. I would also say the atmosphere generated by Popoff's sermons is fantastic as it has brought joy and energy to the sick for that duration of time, perhaps longer. So I would say that if he didn't say people were cured, then what he has done would be far more acceptable. I don't agree with the money he's gained from people. I do feel he's done that in a dishonest way, but I can see why he may believe what he's done is right.

In my research, I've read all sorts of articles calling Peter Popoff all sorts of things; a scammer, a con-artist, amongst other names. I would agree when it comes to the false paranormal claims and the Poland Spring water. As for his sermons, I do think there is a twisted logic there that he wants to try and help people; that's also implied by the fact he makes sure the water does actually contain some water he's blessed. I feel lot's of people will dislike Peter Popoff because of his wealth, and that he's made his wealth by selling lies. The fact people seem to forget though is that these lies have seemingly been designed to provide comfort to the dying. The case of Peter Popoff I feel is far more complex than people tend to write, and I feel any Christian who feels negatively towards Popoff is being just as hypocritical. Going back to the bible: Matthew, the tax collector, was taken in by Jesus to demonstrate that it doesn't matter what you've done in life, what money you've aquired, or how you've aquired it, because at the end of the day everyone is human and so everyone is the same in God's eyes. Who knows, perhaps this is a reason why Popoff has been alright with acquiring so much wealth.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading to the end of this post! I wasn't expecting to go as into religious teachings as I have done, but I felt it was important to accurately portray both Popoff's side and a skeptic's side. As I said, I'm not a religious person; but I do know a good bit about Christianity from having attended a Christian primary school. The ethics around what Peter Popoff has done definitely raises interesting debates, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it all. I'd be really interested to hear your own takes on the debate, so please let me know.

A special thank you goes to Damain, Nicolette, Kerry, GD, The Cornish Ghost Whisperers, Beardo Gets Scared, Starlight Phoenix Paranormal, Paranormal Penny Pinchers, the Australian Paranormal Society, and Codegas Codex of Curiousity for your continued support of The True Paranormal. If you want to follow The True Paranormal you can do so on Facebook, Tik Tok, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Tumblr. You can also subscribe to The True Paranormal on YouTube, or directly to this website through the bar on the left which will give you email notifications. That bar also lists all of the links which will take you to The True Paranormal's various social media platforms. If you want to contact me about your own experiences, or about anything at all paranormal, you can email thetrueparanormal1@gmail.com

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Sources I Have Used

1. Peter Popoff

2. DBpedia

3. Rational Wiki

4. GQ

5. Business Insider

6. Scam Net

7. Truth In Advertising

8. Wikiwand

9. McGill

10. Bible

11. NNDB