Posted on 11/07/2007 3:50:41 PM PST by kendall
Grassley Probes Televangelists' Finances AP Posted: 2007-11-06 19:38:30 AP Photo NYOL959
By JUSTIN JUOZAPAVICIUS
Associated Press Writer
Acting on tips about preachers who ride in Rolls Royces and have purportedly paid $30,000 for a conference table, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee said Tuesday he's investigating the finances of six well-known TV ministers.
Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said those under scrutiny include faith healer Benny Hinn, Georgia megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar and one of the nation's best known female preachers, Joyce Meyer.
Grassley sent letters to the half-dozen Christian media ministries earlier this week requesting answers by Dec. 6 about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets.
In a statement, Grassley said he was acting on complaints from the public and news coverage of the organizations.
"The allegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces," Grassley said.
"I don't want to conclude that there's a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code."
Those ministries that responded Tuesday either said they were cooperating or committed to financial transparency and following the law.
The investigation promises to shine new light on the kind of TV ministries that were crippled by sex and money scandals in the 1980s. Experts also say it stands out as an unusual case of the government probing the inner workings of religious organizations.
Most of those under investigation preach a variation of the "prosperity gospel," the teaching that God will shower faithful followers with material riches.
Grassley's letters went to:
Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas, a $20 million organization and prosperity gospel pioneer. Questions were raised about the transfer of church assets to a for-profit company, Security Patrol Inc., a $1 million loan from Gloria Copeland to the group, and a "personal gift" of more than $2 million given to Kenneth Copeland to mark the ministry's 40th anniversary.
A Copeland spokeswoman released a statement saying the ministry is working on a response to Grassley's letter, follows all laws and best practices governing churches and religious nonprofit groups, and "will continue to do so."
Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Ga. Grassley's letter asks for records on private planes, board makeup, compensation and donations and "love offerings" to visiting ministers. In a statement, Dollar called his ministry an "open book" and said he would cooperate. He also questioned whether the investigation could "affect the privacy of every community church in America."
Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas, is asked about use of a private jet, a home in Dana Point, Calif. and "layover trips" while traveling on ministry business. Hinn did not respond to requests for comment.
Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga., was questioned about his salary, a $1.4 million real estate transaction and whether he, and not the board, holds sole authority over the organization. Long plans to fully comply with the Senate's request, and his church has "several safeguards" to ensure transactions comply with laws governing churches, according to a statement from Long's spokesman.
Joyce and David Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo., who were quizzed about receiving donations of money and jewelry and the handling of cash from overseas crusades. They also were asked about expenditures at ministry headquarters, including a $30,000 conference table and a $23,000 "commode with marble top."
The ministry's lawyer released a statement describing the ministry's work and public release of several years' worth of audits. He also said the IRS found in October that the group continues to qualify for tax-exempt status.
Randy and Paula White of the multiracial Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla. are asked about home purchases in San Antonio, Texas, Malibu, Calif., and New York, credit card charges for clothing and cosmetic surgery and the reported purchase of a Bentley convertible as a gift for Bishop T.D. Jakes, a prominent Texas preacher and televangelist. An e-mail to a spokeswoman for Jakes was not immediately returned.
In a statement, Randy and Paula White declined to comment on specifics, saying they needed time to review the letter with their lawyers. But the Whites called the Grassley letter "unusual, since the IRS has separate powers to investigate religious organizations if they think it's necessary."
Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar all sit on the board of regents for Oral Roberts University, which is mired in a financial scandal of its own.
The Senate Finance Committee has chided secular nonprofits for governance and compensation problems in the past, but this level of scrutiny for what are basically "non-pulpit churches" is unprecedented, said Ken Behr, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
Because the groups have tax status as churches, they are not required to file tax forms open to public inspection.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL. 11/06/07 19:36 EST
I want to know who does these people’s hair. My guess is it’s Stevie Wonder. They always wear it way too long and crazy looking. They also love absurd looking clothes. I thought I saw a bathrobe on one the other night but it turned out to be a long white fur jacket. Even the rap stars dress better than these guys.
The Reverend Jackson, Sharpton, and that Islam guy should be similarly investigated. To name a few...
There is a big difference between Churchanity and Christianity.
Is anyone checking Jesse Jackson???????????
A lot of those named are way overdue.
Very true.
Well, count how many times they mention Jesus’ name. A lot of them are phonies, but I’m not that comfortable with the United States Senate going after them.
Right. It’s the height of hypocrisy for anyone in government to investigate anyone in the private sector for “financial irregularities.” And when the Republicans were in the majority, why didn’t Grassley investigate the Clintons? These Senate Republicans are a worthless bunch, by and large.
Checking Jesse? You may have the Senator confused with someone who actually has a spine... To my knowledge, all of these “preachers” are (rightly or wrongly) associated with the religious right, quite an easy target...
Senate member seeks financial records of Atlanta megachurches
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1922170/posts
You’ve got his name right. I haven’t heard anything about the globe, but I’ve seen quite a few FR threads on his non-use of the Bible. It’s like the OP said: by their fruits you shall know them.
—yep—and I also suspect that none of the targets have a large Iowa following , either—
No kidding. I'm not nearly as worried about people giving free will offerings to crooks as I am by the crooks in DC who are confiscating my earnings.
Joel is not the best preacher if you really want to get deep revelations about the Bible, but he does a good job at getting people interested in getting saved. He is too much of a Christian-lite and goes way too out of his way not to offend anyone. But Joel reaches a lot of people and hopefully he is doing the work the Lord guided him to do.
Perhaps when they are done, they can have the Church's audit Congress's books.
The word Donate and Donation are more frequently used on his site than Jesus, Christ or Salvation.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=opera&rls=en&hs=s1F&q=site%3Alakewood.cc+donate&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=opera&rls=en&hs=31F&q=site%3Alakewood.cc+donation&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=opera&rls=en&hs=h2F&q=site%3Alakewood.cc+jesus&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=opera&rls=en&hs=s2F&q=site%3Alakewood.cc+Christ&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=opera&rls=en&hs=nNv&q=site%3Alakewood.cc+Salvation&btnG=Search
How about Pat Robertson?
The reference is that he should be classified as a motivational speaker versus a church.
He reads from the Bible, but there is no cross visible anywhere on his stage. I’ve wondered why not. Is he concerned that someone might be offended? Or is the Bible just a prop for his how to be healthy, wealthy, and wise pep talks? If that’s the case, the Christian cross isn’t really necessary, because he’s not talking about sin and repentence, and redemption anyway.
Hah. Grassley doesn’t have the stones to go after them.
He always has an altar call at the end of his program, always mentioning Jesus and always using scripture during his tv programs. People just love to criticize him and other televangelists. Too bad. Most of them have been a blessing to those who can’t get to church or are housebound, etc. Time to pray for them instead of their always criticizing them.
It showed alot when Larry King asked ‘Mr.’ Orsteen if he believed that those who did not believe in Christ were doomed to damnation. Mr. O’s response was total NON response.
Sorry Joel, the CORRECT answere is: “that is the teaching of the Gospel and Christianity. If you don’t like it, I suggest you find another religion.”
The dude is a FRAUD!
see my response above
No can do. That'd be racism. Don't believe it? Just ask him. Or Al.
He certainly does use the Bible. The scriptures he uses are always on the screen for us to see. Don’t take FR threads too seriously. Many FReepers hate televangelists of all shapes and sizes and their OPINIONS aren’t always gospel.
As much as I dislike the prosperity gospel and those who preach it. I am at a loss to understand why the Congressman should be investigating them. Isn’t that the job of the State’s attorney? Then if there is reason to believe a Federal crime has occurred congressional investigation may be warranted.
I think this sets a bad precedent.
Amen. I feel the same way. He has the gift of encouragement and I enjoy listening to his sermons. He could use a new joke book (LOL) but I believe he’s doing what he’s supposed to do. You can’t reach everyone with hellfire and brimstone these days. (Not that I mind a good sermon like that.)
I saw the bathrobe guy as well! What a trip huh? LOL! He looked ridiculous!
He apologized for that at a later time. I don’t have the post where it mentions that, but he did speak about it at a later time, realizing his mistake. Judge not lest ye be judged, my Friend.
So, you’re a member of his church?
Overall, how would you compare him to other pastors? Does he speak about money more or less than others you’ve met? How much does the church spend on helping the poor?
Nobody questions the right these scoundrels have under the First Amendment to scoop up widows’ mites and stuff the proceeds in their own pockets. That’s a tradition going back to the days of the Pharisees.
However, it certainly is the business of Congress if these thieving mountebanks fiddle taxes due on the cost of their Learjets and beachfront “parsonages”. Tax-free religious organizations should not be in the business of private pecuniary gain. I don’t want my taxes to subsidize the lifestyle of scum like Benny Hinn.
The Prosperity Gospel might well be:
“Get non-profit church status. Then preach, sell stuff and solicit donations like we do. You never pay taxes, and the proceeds can make you tax-free-friggin rich.”
“Live in a mansion, drive expensive cars, wear fine clothes, fly on private jets, have vacation homes. There is no poverty vow in this denomination—quite the opposite.”
This taxpayer sees it as a scam.
Sorry Mary, I heard Olsteen with my own ears when asked if those who reject Jesus are doomed to hell, he stated he could not say that. He also charges $ to go to his “services”, what happened to “freely you have received, freely give”? Olsteen openly admitted to an interviewer that he is more of an motivational speaker than a minister of the gospel.
I suppose you’ll give a glib reply and call me an attacker of “preachers” when what I’m saying is fact. Keep it to yourself, I know the truth.
I saw that and Joel was too ashamed of the Gospel he purports to preach to answer. I knew then he was a complete phony.
"Instead of sending your hard earned dollars to me, convert your dollars to Euros and send them to Trumandogz!"
-Benny Hinn
John Hagee is my man.
LOL! That guy is a trip! His hair looks fake, all he ever talks about is MONEY! I can’t believe anyone ever sends any to this guy, but they do!
No, I am NOT a member of his church but once in a while I catch his program, which I’ve always found enjoyable and encouraging. No, he rarely speaks about money and I have NO idea what he spends on helping the poor. I believe he has many different programs in his church and I’m sure that’s part of his ministry. Why not go visit sometime and see for yourself?
Ho hum.
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