Hard Question #3:
Why does Pastor Smith call himself “Doctor,” even while he mocks seminary, calling it “cemetary”?
As others have pointed out in discussions on Randy White’s deceptive degree, preaching the Gospel or being a pastor or minister REQUIRES NO DEGREE. So why on earth would a preacher feel the need to use the title of “Doctor,” especially if the degree is merely honorary?
Like Marilyn Hickey, Joyce Meyer, Randy White, and a host of other “Charismaniac” preachers, Pastor Smith has an honorary doctorate from somewhere (we’re not sure, but we think it might be from Oral Roberts University, since they seem awfully free-handed with their honorary degrees).
(We’re giving Pastor Smith the benefit of the doubt with the “honorary” thing, because the alternative is that he “earned” his degree through some diploma mill. We do know that Pastor Smith never attended seminary.)
Anyway, Pastor Smith is often introduced as “Doctor M. T. Smith,” or “Doctor Mike Thomas Smith.”
When I pointed out to some of our church friends this false and deceptive use of the honorary degree, their response was, “Oh, Pastor Smith doesn’t push the use of ‘Doctor,’ it’s only when other people introduce him that they refer to him as ‘Doctor.'”
My response to these folks was, “Well, then why is this fake title chiseled onto the very prominent sign in the front of the church property?” The sign reads, “Living Word Church, Dr. M. T. and Mary Smith, Pastors.”
Would anyone care to answer this Hard Question #3? Why DOES Pastor Smith use the title of “Doctor”? Could there possibly be any pure or innocent motivation? All I can think of is that he wants to take on the credibility that an advanced degree would give him…even while he simultaneously denigrates education. But if any of you out there can come up with a legitimate reason, we’d love to hear it.
One significant problem that seems to come up repeatedly in your descriptions of your former pastor is that he often makes vague, blanket criticisms of certain groups or insitutions. Where this is dangerous is that he could be referring to a specific group, yet it never appears that way because of how the criticisms are stated. Also, the audience is forced to make large inferences to figure out what he really means.
I will agree with him in regard to specific groups like the Jesus Seminar and some of the more liberal theological seminaries because the ideas they propagate are both biblically and historically unfounded. However, seminaries have clearly served us well in the past by creating theology that can be considered well-reasoned and orthodox. They have also long been a source of strong biblical training for those who wish to become ministers.
Thus, it could be that ministers who tout their honorary degrees feel that the seminaries from which they received the degrees were biblically credible sources. However, it is more likely that they simply believe that they received the degrees for their “uncompromising” expositions of God’s Word. That’s the only way I can see them justifying their honorary titles. Personally, I think the whole thing is asenine. I worked hard for my degree. Why should someone be able to call him/herself a doctor when they haven’t earned the title?
This too seems to be a new trend among the charismaniacs. Many of the mega church pastors are suddenly calling themselves Dr. Many of them list the granting institutions. I’ve looked up a few of them and they were all unaccredited programs.
The bishop over our former church came to hold leadership training. He actually touted the fact that he had a doctorate and didn’t have to work for it.
This was appauling and a definite red flag to us because we understood how much work it took to get a bachelors degree(obtained) and a master’s degree (DH is working on)
What I don’t understand is why are they seeking the very thing they have scorned for years.
We’ve all heard seminary termed as cemetery. People with seminary degrees were laugh at and looked down upon.
They want the credentials without doing the work.
[…] back, we posted an article calling into question preachers who feel the need to use their honorary doctorate degrees even […]
T.D. Jakes has a bachelor, masters, and doctorate from Friends International Christian University (unaccredited diploma/degree mill). Joel Osteen has a four year degree in television (no seminary or theological education). I also hear Juanita Bynum’s degree is fake. Cleflo Dollar I’ve heard may have an unaccredited degree. It looks like many “Drs” and televangelists have bogus degrees. What do you think?
I read that Joyce Meyer got her “Dr” from Life Christian University (unaccredited degree mill). Does anyone earn accredited degrees in ministry these days? (grin)
I can’t seem to find any degrees listed for Paula White either. HMMMMM
I am a minister, a former American history professor, and a person who can and does use the title Dr. or the Rev. Dr. because I earned the degrees. Ministers who use the title “Dr.” come in several varieties. Some simply use the title because they want to and assume that if their followers believe the stuff they tell them on a regular basis they will also believe they have a doctorate, even if someone demonstrates they have no formal education.
There are also those that have unaccredited doctorates from diploma mills. These are usually “based” on life experience, cost a few hundred to a few thousand, and come with a nice diploma.
Most local ministers in mainline denominations who use the title “Dr.” have earned doctorates in ministry. The standard degree for mainline ministers (Methodists, Presbyterians, Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ, Episcopal Church, etc.) is the Master of Divinity (M. Div.). It is usually required for ordination, and involves 90 graduate hours, following a Bachelors Degree in a major discipline. The Doctor of Ministry degree is a 3-5 year program involving another 30 to 36 graduate hours and a dissertation or project.
A few, myself included have earned doctorates (Ph.D.’s, M.D.’s, J.D.’s) in other fields or related field. I have two doctorates: one in history and the other in religion.
Just a bit of information from someone who also gets frustrated when I see people using a title that took me years of study and personal sacrifice to earn.
The Rev. Dr. Ron M. Buck
We need more people like Dr. Buck in the ministry. Dr. Buck earned his degrees and I’ve seen his church’s website. They do a great deal of community outreach in service to the Lord. Besides having theological training, Dr. Buck has well-rounded education in other areas as well.
I have an Associate Degree in Social Work and am working on a Bachelors in Human Services. I’d like to work in faith-based social services and perhaps in lay ministry and christian outreach. While I will probably never have the education Dr. Buck has, at least my degrees are earned from accredited schools, unlike many who use phony degrees.
I pray that his ministry will continue to prosper in Kentucky. 🙂
Marie, Peoria, IL
I just did a video presentation on this subject:
Church Myth-Busting #11: Ph.D., D.Min, Th.D.? Yeah…RIGHT!
I have six earned degrees, including a D.Min., all from accredited schools recognized by the US Dept. of Education. The only place my name is listed as “Dr.” is in a very inconspicuous spot in our church bulletin. A lot of our members don’t even know I have a doctorate, and most have no idea what it takes to receive a bona fide graduate degree. The use of phony degrees is rampant, especially in the South where Baptist, independent, and Pentecostal churches flourish. I have noticed that the people who tout their degrees the most are those who received them from the least credible institutions. I personally think that it should be illegal to use a title like “Dr.” unless it can be demonstrated that it came from a real school. If a person called himself “Dr.” and treated people for diseases and was discovered not to have an M.D. he would be thrown in jail. This has nothing to do with separation of church and state, but it has everything to do with honesty and deception in the pulpit.
I would very much agree with you.
What makes hiding behind fake degrees even more grievous is that the same guys who falsely call themselves “Doctor” are also the ones who make fun of education.
Our former pastor’s favorite joke was to “slip” and refer to “seminary” as “cemetary.”
What really revealed his true LACK of education was the fact that he never saw the irony of this.
Well I guess I am just tired of ministers who call themselves Dr. when they have no education in that area. I graduated from what they called a Bible college in Cleveland Tn. New life Bible school as it was known then now you can get your masters, Dr. or any thing you want from them. the Founder of the School barley graduated from high school His daughter is the college director she has no education yet both call themselves Dr Norvel Hayes and Dr.zona Hayes-Morrow I’m sick of it this is misleading lies I DON”T think God Is happy with LIES do you?
Is there any wonder the world mocks the Church when we have people running around claiming to be “Doctors” but hardly have little to no education. I ran into a man the other day who I believe does love Jesus and wants to truly spread the gospel but he claimed to attend a Bible college that I knew but I was aware that this college was (at the time he finished) nothing more than a two year Bible school. However, he today goes around saying that he graduated from this now solid university. While he is right in that he did finish, even his own school today would not hold that his degree is legit.
I myself graduated from a legit Bible college but you will not even find the degree on my wall. I am not ashamed but the degree (to me) is not as important as my devotion and faithfulness to Jesus is.
Amazing-these people are such pigs. End of story!
I do understand how this epidemic in the evangelical realm of getting ‘Dr. ‘ in front of ministers names can be a turn off. A lot of the ministers mentioned in above comments who have been awarded the degrees of honor, I feel are very deserving. These are people who are in the position, both in ministry and business, that most people are going to school to try and get to some level of where these ministers are. They’ve worked hard and labored and they’ve been blessed to have thousands of people that attend their ministries. Bible Colleges or Universities that fall under the Governmental allowed Exempt status are authorized to confer ‘Religious’ only degrees. They are exempt from the same protocols of Univ. & Colleges that confer secular degrees also. And just because the private religious schools choose not to be accredited through a Government approved agency, doesn’t lessen the quality of the education provided. Many are accredited by Religious Accrediting agency-to ensure the quality of a Christian Education–I think they would do a better job than the Government to regulate that. That’s why it’s important to check out the schools with the state. I did research on the Bible College I worked with and they checked out as legal and authorized to confer ‘religious only degrees.’ I wouldn’t advocate honorary degrees for practicing science, engineer, medicine etc… that’s why it’s not allowed unless a honorary degree in those fields are being given to someone with an earned degree in the field. I can’t begin to tell you all the details and theories and formulas I learned in college. College provides the platform–but getting out there and doing ‘life’ is where you can apply what was learned and enhance your knowledge
Hi, Rob…
We’ve been out of town, so I didn’t see your comment till just now.
I can understand what you’re saying, about why colleges award honorary degrees. I don’t have a problem with the practice of ceremonially bestowing a “doctorate” on a pastor whom the college or university wishes to honor.
But that should be the end of it – a nice ceremony, a good memory for the honoree, perhaps a photo and a plaque on the wall of his or her office.
An honorary degree should NOT be used as though it were the real deal, however. That was the point of this original post. It’s nothing but deceptive when pastors portray themselves as highly educated, calling themselves “Dr. M. T. Smith” when they never even went to college, let alone graduate school. It’s even more galling when these same pastors otherwise mock education and refer to seminary as “cemetary,” yet turn around and bask in the borrowed glory of a pretend title.
There’s simply no excuse for this!
Our particular “charismaniac” pastor (ex-pastor now) was very much into grooming his image. He (and especially his wife) were very careful to observe all the proper protocol and had all sorts of etiquette they’d follow to honor visiting ministers, for instance. In other words, they weren’t tacky idiots who wouldn’t know that you shouldn’t go around referring to yourself as “doctor” when all you have is an honorary degree. They were savvy in all other ways when it came to what was acceptable and proper.
Therefore, I finally had to conclude that they KNEW exactly what they were doing when using that phony title. They wanted the prestige and influence that went with a formal higher education, without having to actually take the time to work for it at school.
I think DR Jeckyle is the only appropriate term I could use for these folk right now.
I have five earned degrees including an earned doctorate from a small, but legitimate, Anglican college. I’m working on a second doctorate from a fully accredited institution. I NEVER use the titles “Reverend” or “Doctor” because I believe styles and titles can build more walls than bridges. When I was in seminary in the 1970’s, I worked in a church in which the senior minister had an honorary doctorate, and his retired assistance had an earned Ph.D. The senior minister, with his honorary doctorate, insisted on being called “Doctor”. His retired assistant, with his Ph.D. insisted on being called, Harold (his real name). This was a lesson on humility. I believe many clergy and religious leaders take themselves far too seriously. Now if they’d only take God that seriously…..
I must admit that I am astonished by the ignorance that takes place in the name of God. I speak from a Baptist perspective, although my denominational ties are merely social and take a second seat to my ties to the worldwide Church. I believe that if a minister is called, they will take the time to prepare. Here is why it doesn’t appear that there are any legitimately-educated pastors. The ones who devote their time to real study of God’s Word in an institution accredited by the ATS (the only legitimate agency) are the ministers who preach the Bible in its fullness rather than preaching what people want to hear. Those who espouse their phony titles do only harm to the kingdom, they are not prepared to preach deeply reflective sermons. Instead, like Joel Osteen, they tell people what they want to hear and they are successful. Real Christianity is about hard work and the fullness of the Bible. There are no shortcuts and that is not a popular view.
I am earning my M.Div. currently from an accredited school. It’s going to take me three more years. It’s hard. I am a pastor now in Texas with my B.A. from Baylor University. Real schools, real education, real Biblical preaching, real ministry. If any part of the minister is fake, they will be cut by the axe at the threshing floor as John the Baptist said. James says that teachers of the Gospel are going to be held to a higher standard. I’d encourage phony ministers who read this to abandon their quest for titles and come before their congregations admittedly lacking education. Honesty can be a very useful tool for a broken man.
By the way, I’m not the same person as the “Joseph B.” above. It’s just a coincidence. Cool name, by the way.
The “B” in Joseph B. stands for “Beaubien”. Not my surname, but that of my great grandfather, great-great grandfather, and great-great-great grandfather.
Well, if the NAR (National Apostolic Reformation) the Coalition headed by C. Peter Wagner can pass out the title of (A)postle for a mere $600.00 why not get an honorary doctorate and use it. It all about fame, position, authority (SELF-CENTEREDNESS)!
[…] Sharpton * cough * Jessie Jackson). I also say this because of the unfortunate prevalence of degree mills and pseudo intellectuals in modern cultural […]
An older thread, but I was intrigued. Am researching “One of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America” (Time magazine, 2005), who purports to teach Christians about America’s Christian heritage. Claims in his “Who’s Who” entry to be a historian: but lists only a B.A. in religious education. from O.R.U.
To his credit, though he has an honorary doctorate from a tiny college of his persuasion in Florida, I don’t find any instance where he himself has used the title “Dr.” However, a web-search for “Dr. David Barton” will turn up thousands of hits on the websites and blogs of admirers: especially ministries or churches selling his DVDs and books, or promoting his appearances.
As James wrote, teachers face stricter judgement. But probably their followers should also consider that God’s wrath is against those who “hold the truth in unrighteousness.”
It’s shameful, this so called “ministers” do you really need these titles, Jesus had no diploma, the apostles had no diplomas, first century christians had no diploma, why? because when you work your ministry with true holy spirit and you are a spiritual person studying the bible, helping others & living the truth YOU DON’T NEED TITLES OR DIPLOMAS!!!
if you have degrees earned, then you should not be talking like this. What matters is, these people used by God, have a life changing ministries. Just see in the bible, God uses people most of them don’t have degrees, however, God used them mightily to shame the wise.
Cecile,
The point is not that ministers need degrees – the point is that these guys are pretending to have degrees. They are calling themselves “Doctor” when they only were conferred honorary doctorates. They are using titles that they did not earn. At Living Word Church, Pastor Smith totally portrayed himself as a highly educated man. He would often mumble vaguely about “having more letters behind his name than anyone else in the room.” Yet Pastor Smith had never even been to college, let alone graduate school!
God is not a God of lies. God cannot be pleased with this practice of pretending an honorary degree is the real thing. Sure, pastors don’t need fancy education in order to be used by God – but true men of God won’t be using deception (lying) to make themselves appear to have more formal education than they actually have.
Calling yourself “Doctor” when you have not actually gone to school and done the requisite work for the degree is stealing. It’s passing oneself off under false pretenses. It is lying.
It is wrong!
I am surprised that honest christians are worried about insignificant things like acredited and unaccredted degree. Does God care whether a degree is accredted or not? If you are accredited praise be to God if you are not so what? When it come to ministry it is about delivery and performance not accredited titles. T.D. Jakes has a successful ministry despite his lack of education so is joel osteen and the list goes on. Some of those who follow these guys are more educated than them but they still come sunday after sunday. We talk about degrees as though without it we cannot share the gospel of Christ. What about those pastors in Africa, Asia and South America. Is their degree accredited by any standard, no. Who cares. The largest church in Africa pastor did not go to seminary. Let us do the work of evangelism. If you want to teach at the seminary I will encourge you to get an masters of divinity. Even to think that any man can master divinty is in a sense deceptive.
Churches are dying and we are worried about where john or mary got his degree from. Government can do nothing when it comes to christian minstry. I am considering opening an affordable christian college myself. Who can afford $600/credit. Who set the price? Should it cost that much to learn something that is give to you free such as the gospel.
Uh, Paul – I’d say that a pastor’s deceptiveness and untruthfulness are HUGE and ought to concern people.
I happen to be one who doesn’t actually believe that a pastor must have seminary training. I believe God can (and has!) used all manner of uneducated people to spread the gospel of Jesus.
Moreover, one doesn’t need a degree to be a pastor. Anybody can start a church and gather followers. Pastor Smith himself even dissed on education all the time, frequently using the tired old joke of referring to seminary as “cemetary” (insinuating that men with seminary training somehow lose God’s power).
So why in the name of all that is holy would a pastor use a fake degree? Why? He doesn’t need it to do his job. He even puts education down and laughs about it. So why tout an honorary or mail order degree and use the title of “Doctor” like he earned it?
There’s no good reason for him to do this…and every good reason for anyone who attends Pastor Smith’s church to be concerned for his integrity. If Pastor Smith (or any of these other guys who hide behind fake degrees) is deceptively passing himself off as more educated than he actually is, then all I can wonder is what else is he lying about? What other deceptive things is he doing?
The real gospel of Jesus will produce integrity. The fact that Pastor Smith is engaging in lies and deception, especially about something so totally unimportant (relating strictly to his ego) is HUGELY concerning.
And oh yeah, I forgot to mention, this isn’t about whether or not Pastor Smith’s “degree” is from an accredited or unaccredited university. It’s instead about portraying oneself as having completed actual coursework for a legitimate doctorate – coursework that at any normal university would take years of intensive study – when the reality is one sent away for a mail order degree or (possibly) is passing off an honorary doctorate (one just handed to one, as a courtesy) as a real doctorate, requiring actual work.
I agree that a person who feels called to God in the ministry should have some Bible schooling but I don’t believe God requires everyone to go to a Bibles school to get their schooling. Some parents do a real good job of raising their children in the ways of the Lord and when they reach the age of accountability they are experienced and knowledgeable enough about God’s ways that they can be trusted to be in the ministry. In America today most of the Bible schools have become very “liberal” and now their faculty think it is OK to drink wine, or use ungodly versions of the Bible! America is sick because the church is sick! Having a degree does not make one a minister, only the anointing of God can do that! Also, Bible schools are more expensive than secular schools! Why? You won’t find 10 preachers in America who preach against sin anymore????
This is all interesting but it is obivious to me (someone who cares less about the how someone got a degree) the guy who started this conversation has some deep unforgiveness and and maybe jealousy. He resents people who have been honored by others and those who were fortunate enough to reach their goals through different means than he deems fit. The only thing that can ever be offended is pride. Could you be offended not for all the reasons you keep stating but because you feel these people have taken something away from you. Shame on you! You see “The issue is never the issue” is it?
EVERYBODY…please be careful…sometimes people are doing the best that they can do. I have gotten some of my degrees from internationally accredited universities (not a fake university) and I had to work for it. I could not go to a regular traditional university but I did work toward the degree and it was not handed to me. May I also point out that some Christian people have made this crazy cycle that we are in. You listen and support some of these mega ministries that you claim have people leading them with fake degrees so other preachers feel that they must go to YOUR so called (Fake Universities) to obtain degrees (real degrees) so they can be relevant and get the word out that God has birthed in them. So while you complain you might want to check that some of this is because of the overwhelming support that YOU give to these people and ministries instead of supporting preachers that have a word and may only have a Master’s degree….I’m just saying don’t be to hard on them….look inward people…look inward!
Lee Martin –
You are woefully incorrect in your assumptions. It sounds like you haven’t even read what I wrote, not to mention any of my follow-up comments.
It has never bothered me whatsoever that Pastor Smith was (possibly) given an honorary degree. The issue is NOT that he received an honorary degree – the issue is that if that is indeed what happened, he then went on to deceptively pass off this honorary degree as one that he actually did academic work to receive. And he did this in a profession where a degree is not required…and – worse – after he had spent years mocking formal education.
I don’t know why anyone wants to defend the practice of passing off honorary or mail-order degrees as legitimate doctorates. It’s unnecessary for pastors to do this. They don’t need an education to do what they do. Many Charismatic pastors even make fun of education. They all certainly believe that anointing trumps education.
The only reason I can think of for this dishonest practice is because they want the credibility that goes with appearing highly educated.
I am appalled to hear the kind demeaning statements made by some people on this forum. We must realize that God uses people with different levels of education. Paul was schooled at the feet of one of the best theologians at the time when converted he was called an apostle, meanwhile Peter did not have the same formal training but was also called and apostle. Some people because of their labour of love and the calling of God over a period of time
is recognized by others. A degree or the lack thereof is no guarantee for success in ministry, however is obeying and following the call of God on ones life. There is no need to bash anybody. Jesus gives a simple acid test for success, it is in the fruit that is produce.
phil Samuels –
I think you’ve missed at least the point of the original post. As I’ve said countless times, I would never criticize a pastor because he has a lack of formal education.
What I am calling out is the deceptive practice of passing off a fake degree – one that required no actual academic work or class time, either because it was bestowed as an “honor,” or ordered through the mail from a diploma mill – as a real one.
Again, like I’ve said over and over, being a pastor of one’s own independent church is one of the occupations that does not require a degree. And that’s fine! But why pretend to have a degree then? Why tout your honorary doctorate or your mail order degree as though it’s real? Why allow yourself to be introduced as “Doctor Smith” when you’ve never seen the inside of a college classroom?
It’s dishonest. It’s a lie. How is that not wrong? How is that not worthy of criticism?
Phil…with all due respect, I have a degree from Liberty University and have never been there…and I worked my bottom off to get it…it’s real and regionally accredited….how am I not as educated as people who have went to the actually campus???? Also, I have obtained a degree from FICU and you bashed that as a mail order degree and it is not. I really did work for the degree. Was it traditional…no but did I have to work for it…yes! They did not just give me the degree. I really worked. I think sometimes people are looking at the accreditation and thinking because it is not regionally accredited that it is pay and you get your degree…but speaking as someone who went through the process with them….you do work. I think you should probably check your sources and information…it was not a pay for degree….
If you ever get the chance to look at Zona Hayes Morrow Doctorate in the corner of the diploma she signed her own name on it did she give her own self a Doctorates degree.
I have graduated from 3 accredited colleges, have multiple master degrees and currently working on a Doctorate. It is frustrating that some people receive doctorates from non-accredited colleges i.e.…Life University, who required a friend of mine to write a book for his Dr. so, he preached a sermon had it transcribed and magically he has a PhD. May I add that he does not have a BS (4 Years) a MS (2 years) or a M.Div. (4 years) to qualify for a real doctoral program?
A single class for a PhD. Requires 2 to 4 -10 page book reviews and a larger paper of 25 pages or more. It is a prodigious academic workload. Depending upon the subject one may even need to know 2-4 secondary languages.
You do not have to have a degree to be in ministry, but it cannot hurt (if you go to a good school).
For me- the issue is that those willing to study hard, go in debt and sacrifice- are under cut by people who are taking a short cut. It is fraud and it should be prosecuted just as if someone faked a medical MD.
A man who gets in the pulpit and deceives his congregation about his education is no different from a surgeon operating on us with a fake MD.
Folks, even in non-accredited bible schools that issued Degrees, course work is required at every level. There are secular course from big university , as UTMB in Galveston who have online program set up for degree advancement and allow students to use life experience and well as non-traditional methods to obtain credits….check out the actually programs, before we bash. Also all of the minister listed who have received from FICU , all doing tremendous things in the kingdom of God…..the call of God on the life of the individual and how that person honorS and care for his/her assignments is what determines the success( prayer, study, wisdom, etc).. The path an individual takes to development themselves is relative to their time, experience and learning edge.
A professor teaching in an accredited college would need for employment AND would want to the traditional degree method
Dr. Kenneth Hagin , Rhema ministry ( who didn’t have an traditional degree) started a biblical training center in Tusla OK, that has impacted world wide, the lives of people , ministries and have change nations.
God gives callings and assignments, and Him alone. FICU , is filling their call, u don’t like it , don’t attend, do what the Father has placed in your heart…your plan, your pathway Jeramiah 29:11
I am not a student of FICU, BUT I HAVE BEEN TO TRADITION UNIVERSITY WHICH SERVED ME WELL, AND I BEEN TO BIBLE TRAINIG INSTITUTE WHICH NOW SERVING ME WELL, I AM LOOKING TO ADVANCE MY AGREE, FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF MY ASSIGNMENT ..YOUR COMMENTS HAVE CONVINCED ME THAT FICU IS THE PLACE TO DO IT
MY ADVICE PRAY MORE….YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF SAYING LESS(NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF GOD—AFTERALL WE ALL IT THIS THING TOGETHER-ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM….O YEA ONE DEVIL—-
I am very fascinated in what I have read, and for all the various views being shared. Years ago, when a person receives an honorary doctors degree that person had to have at least a masters degree. Today I have seen individuals who have never been to college receiving honorary doctorate degrees, and that makes me wonder. I do not believe it is wrong for someone to refer to such a person as doctor, as long as it is understood that the degree is unearned. I am a retired pastor, and before doing my DMin. I carefully checked to make sure that the school was accredited. From all my research I was convinced that the school was accredited, but after finishing my studies I came to realize that the school accreditation was not recognized. (Re: Walston’s Guide) I was deeply mislead by the school, and would not have studied with them if I was told the truth, and that they were not governmental accredited. I believe in integrity, I believe in doing what is right, but I was not told the truth up front. I do not like to talk about it, but I have been very disappointed. Any ideas? Any word of advice?
Tommy
Juanita2013
“Friends International Christian University” awards doctorates to candidates, some I know only completed very minimal prerequisites….while, the time to acquire a real, earned doctorate is significantly longer…it could take eight years after earning a bachelors and then a master’s.
These ‘fake’ degrees are deceptive.
It is legal to use the title “doctor” following the receipt of an honorary doctorate degree. However, most people that receive honorary doctorates (and there are many) choose not to refer to themselves as that, because that degree is obviously bogus. In the case of one Creflo Dollar, I can attest that his undergraduate degree is legit, having received it from what is now the State University Of West Georgia. A lot of luminaries in the Charismatic world, have honorary Doctors of Divinity from Oral Roberts University and it seems that the main requisite may have been a sizable monetary donation to the university. This “D.D. degree” should be changed to a “D.D.D. degree,” as in “Donated Dignity Doctorate!”
“Every man is his own doctor of divinity!” -Robert Louis Stevenson
Friends International Christian University is a straight up MILL! Of course those with a “degree” from them will call it legit. Anyone with a real college degree would never be ok with someone call themselves Dr. with an honorary degree, or even with an unaccredited school. You can not use the title Doctor with an Honorary degree by the way..
“By convention, recipients of honorary doctorates do not use the title “Dr” in general correspondence, although in formal correspondence from the university issuing the honorary degree it is normal to address the recipient by the title.[57][58] However, this social convention is not always scrupulously observed.[28] Notable people who have used the honorary prefix include:”
If I come across a fake doctor I have and will call them out aggressively in front of anyone around.
I would like to know (if anyone knows) where Dr Mahash Chavda got his degree?