This is why "pastors" are obsessed with the fake "Doctor" title

As an aside, Harvester Bible College is a new one to me.

https://www.sde.co.ke/article/2001270286/revealed-this-is-why-pastors-are-obsessed-with-the-fake-dr-title

 

"Whether in heaven or on earth no one could attain a PhD before a bachelor’s degree."

That's up in the air.

 

Good article! Thanks, Bruce!

A quote from Pastor Antony Bones: "Jesus Christ’s gospel was about serving masses and not about self-aggrandizement.”
Something these faux-doctor poseurs seem to have forgotten, if they ever knew it in the first place. Thanks, Pastor Bones!

 

That's Vineyard Harvester Bible College, Bruce. HQ in Cedartown GA - obviously targets overseas prospects. Fully accredited by the unrecognized (by CHEA or USDoE) Transworld Accrediting Commission International. A warning here: http://harpazo.proboards.com/thread/16499
Their "Faculty" page includes people with their highest degrees from this school! I'm less than impressed. I don't think I should give a link, here. Not for this school. It's easy to find if anybody wants it; I'm not going to help their Google ranking.

"I'm your private preacher
Teaching for money
Degrees that you want me to give...

Deutschmarks or Dollars
American Express will do nicely thank you..."

(Apologies to Tina Turner: Great lady and "Private Dancer" is one of her best!)

 

As it seems to be with so many questionable religious schools, their faculty members with legitimate credentials are almost all in secular subjects, the religious degrees are all homegrown or from Florida Theological Seminary, which turned up donuts on a quick Google search.

 

Why do some pastors get fake doctorates? It tends to give all pastors a bad reputation.

 

FLORIDA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND BIBLE COLLEGE, INC. https://www.lakelandfts.com

 

In a word - money. In another - self-aggrandizement. It's all in the article, Ted. BTW - I came across an old quote by you, re the Transworld Accrediting Commission International. Back in 2005, in this very forum: https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?threads/messianic-bible-institute.17320/

"And, pray tell, in which worlds, besides planet Earth, does Transworld accredit schools?" Good one!

 

Florida Theological Seminary doesn't mention accreditation - and that's perfectly OK. Florida has "religious exemption" (exceptions exist in 5 locally-licensing counties) and having no accreditation (where such is permitted) is infinitely better (says Johann) than a bushel basket of "accreditation" papers unrecognized as such by CHEA and USDoE.

 

That website is a farce, they don't even list (as far as I was able to tell) what degrees they offer, never mind accreditation, faculty credentials, etc.

 

Seems appropriate.

 

Yes it is a farce. I clicked on the PDF and MSWord admission document packages, to see if I could determine what degrees were offered. All I got was a notice from a domain-seller that the Florida Theological Seminary's domain was for sale - $895.
Having no accreditation is OK, under religious exemption. But an Internet school having no domain --- that's something else!

 

Funny, two priests I know who have doctorates do not insist people call them "Doctor". Maybe because "Reverend Father" is a higher title. Honestly, I do not understand this title envy among people who ALREADY preside over a congregation, or in some traditions stand before the altar of the Almighty. What on Earth does that phony doctorate add to this?

 

Thanks for that little blast from the past. I was just a newbie then and had no idea that I would one day have 10,000+ posts.

 

Would you guys place the doctoral programs offered by the Graduate Theological Foundation in the same category as the "schools" mentioned in this thread? Would GTF doctoral graduates have similar legal rights in most states to refer to themselves as "doctor" due the religious nature of this school although it does not possess any recognized accreditation?

 

I believe it's legal in the US to use the title if not for fraudulent purpose. Or any name you care to use.

 

Decimon, GTF offers a doctorate (Psy.D) in Clinical Pastoral Counseling. I am wondering whether the clinical nomenclature and content of this degree would make it illegal in many states, although it is a pastoral credential, due to its being awarded by a nonaccredtied school?

 

Hmm. I did a search on GTF and I am unclear as to what if any sort of recognition this school has. Some states regulate Christian counseling because it is counseling and other states do not regulate Christian counseling because it is religious (you know, separation of church and state and all that). I find it a bit off-putting that they styled the degree PsyD in Clinical Pastoral Counseling. Though they have many similarities, psychology and counseling are two different beasts.

 

We, on this board, have spent a substantial amount of time discussing degree mills and buying fake degrees. Here is a perspective that is not often discussed:

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/13522751011053608

 

And with reason.