This is clearly not a comprehesive list. However, I think it catches the essence of the phenomenon, which has obviously been around long before modern mass media. Jim Bakker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESfyejvxWrw Pat Robertson channeling Satan : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBtEBCba3DI&mode=related&search= This one is pretty funny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGOCOmJgQE0 Jimmy Swaggart (it's like Jesus camp for grownups ): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-ZyIR8EmL4&mode=related&search= (Compare with regular Jesus camp (gotta prep those kids): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CgvgjfwyPs) Jim Jones (super charlatan): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY3cx3U0gYE Marshall Applewhite (super charlatan second-in-command): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0o4Qb_d7Io&mode=related&search= I guess that can be a bit depressing, so I'll end it the post on an upbeat note. There's nothing like some good old snake handling to get the blood flowing. Snakes on a Plane Snakes in Church http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObhvOeNCKhs&mode=related&search= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_handling