Televangelist Paul Crouch Attempts to Keep Accuser Quiet

LA Times ^ | 9/12/04 | William Lobdell

[The Bandit]

Televangelist Paul Crouch, founder of the world's largest Christian broadcasting network, has waged a fierce legal battle to prevent a former employee from publicizing allegations that he and Crouch had a sexual encounter eight years ago.

Crouch, 70, is the president of Trinity Broadcasting Network, based in Orange County, whose Christian programming reaches millions of viewers around the world via satellite, cable and broadcast stations.

The source of the allegations against him is Enoch Lonnie Ford, who met Crouch at a TBN-affiliated drug treatment center in 1991 and later went to work for the ministry.

After Ford threatened to sue TBN in 1998, claiming that he had been unjustly fired, Crouch reached a $425,000 settlement with him. In return, Ford agreed, among other things, not to discuss his claim about a sexual encounter with the TV preacher.

[lupie]

That he is a "Christian" is something we can't know - only God knows the heart. He certainly has never spoken for true Christianity as far as I know. Perhaps years ago? Unfortunately those who are not believers think he representes Christianity because he says he does. Prayerfully, he will truly submit to the Lord of Lords.

[txzman]

'These million-dollar TV "Christians" are a disgusting lot. I sincerely hope someone pulls the plug on them.'

Someone will. And when HE does it will be into a very long, deep drain.

[truthandlife]

Galatians 1 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

I don't know if this story is true but TBN has a lot of heretics in their programming. I have asked myself why God has not taken down this so called "ministry" sooner because they have deceived many. This could be the story that does it. TBN has been on life support the past few years and this could be the story that burys it.

[Sci Fi Guy]

Uh oh this isn't good news.

It depends on how you look at it. A Lot of Christians think TBN does more harm than good. They have a track record of supporting unbiblical(but highly rated) ministries.

Still I do hope that this accusation is false.

[RightOnline]

""Paul's defense was that he was drunk.""

Oh, ok then.

[truthandlife]

http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0118a.html

Paul Crouch

Paul Crouch and his wife, Jan, are the founders of the Trinity Broadcasting Network, which today has an estimated net worth of half a billion dollars. As Crouch himself puts it, "God has, indeed, given us the MOST POWERFUL VOICE in the history of the WORLD."[65] Unfortunately, this voice is being used to promote teachings straight from the kingdom of the cults. Crouch's influence has become so vast that he can now raise as much as $50 million during a single "Praise-a-Thon." What many of the well-intentioned Christians who support TBN do not know, however, is that part of this money goes to promoting cultic groups and individuals who not only deny the Trinity but claim that this essential of Christianity is a pagan doctrine.[66] It is indeed ironic that a broadcasting network called "Trinity" would promote anti-Trinitarian doctrine.

To those who would speak out against the false teachings proliferated on his network, Crouch has this to say: "I think they're damned and on their way to hell; and I don't think there's any redemption for them."[67] Shortly after I met with Crouch to prove that the Faith movement compromises essential Christian doctrine, Crouch looked into the lens of the television camera and angrily declared, "If you want to criticize Ken Copeland for his preaching on faith, or Dad Hagin, get out of my life! I don't even want to talk to you or hear you. I don't want to see your ugly face. Get out of my face, in Jesus' name."[68]

Sadly, Crouch refers to the Faith message as a "revival of truth . . . restored by a few precious men."[69]

[Patton@Bastogne]

.


GadareneDemoniac


Their sets look like a cross between Notre Dame Cathedral and a high-price New Orleans bordello ...


I've been around Free Republic for six years, I guess, and that's one of the BEST replies I've ever heard anyone say about anything ....



Patton@Bastogne
Free Republic Member since 1998.



.

[danamco]

'These million-dollar TV "Christians" are a disgusting lot. I sincerely hope someone pulls the plug on them.'

Someone will. And when HE does it will be into a very long, deep drain.



Here we go again: CHRISTIAN BASHING!!!

[Patton@Bastogne]

.


Cyborg


This is such a pathetic situation.


IRS 501 c-3 is a Federal Contract (US Supreme Court decision) that "earns" Religious Corporations hundreds of millions annually, paid from the US Government coffers, as "political hush money" (a la Webster Hubble, Monica Lewinski, ad nausea). Religious Corporations agree to abstain from candidate endorsements & legislative lobbying.



REPLY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 - Church Tax-Exempt Status : Why Created in 1934 ?

2 - Church Political Success : 1919 versus 1998 (General Patton vis-à-vis Richard Simmons).

3 - Christians' "Right-to-Know" : Primary Goal of Federal Lawsuit against Dobson, Falwell and Robertson.

4 - Biblical Commands AGAINST Church Tax-Exempt Status.

5 - US Churches : Frankenstein of Religious & Secular Entities



ISSUE-1 : Birth of Church Tax-Exempt Status - As Political Hush Money

Adopted by US Congress in 1934, immediately after Prohibition Repealed. WHY ?

Liberals FEARED the Awesome Political Power of Christian churches, especially after their successful Constitutional Amendment for Prohibition in 1919. Liberals wanted to "politically castrate" the Churches, and keep them "Out of the Game" forever. IRS 501 c-3 did just that.

Church Building Programs & Sunday TV-Broadcasts get BIG BUCKS (courtesy of tax-exempt donations). Meanwhile, Prayer is removed from Public Schools, Ten-Million Babies are butchered like Dogs, and the Nation descends in an abyss of moral degeneracy.



ISSUE-2 : Who had/has more political power ?

Option-1: US Churches in 1919 (14 years BEFORE tax-exempt status) in their Campaign for Prohibition, without the benefit of CBN's satellite TV network.

Option-2: US Churches in 1998 (64 years AFTER tax-exempt status), with pathetic defeats on the Abortion Holocaust, TV Pornography, Prayer removed from Public Schools, Prayer removed from University Graduation ceremonies, an Educational Disaster, and the culmination of all abominations, President William Jefferson Clinton (with all his decayed baggage of murder, sex scandals, and unparalleled corruption).



ISSUE-3 : Why did I launch a Federal Lawsuit against Icons of the Christian Religious Right, especially since I endorse 99-percent of the Christian Socio/Political Agenda ?

To expose the leadership's "dirty little secret" about IRS 501 c-3 (et al). Lawsuit demanded that ALL church members receive an explanation of the "voluntary" political activity restrictions of Dobson, Robertson, Falwell, et al.

IRS 501 c-3 is a Federal Contract (US Supreme Court decision) that "earns" Religious Corporations hundreds of millions annually, paid from the US Government coffers, as "political hush money" (a la Webster Hubble, Monica Lewinski, ad nausea). Religious Corporations agree to abstain from candidate endorsements & legislative lobbying.



ISSUE-4 : Why is "Political Tax-Exempt Status" such a Spiritual Abomination, with Churches having a "sweetheart Deal" to not pay Federal Taxes ?

There's NO FREE LUNCH (especially from Governments), as clearly taught by Jesus Christ. His "Render Unto Caesar" acknowledged that Rome would demand a Quid Pro Quo (something in return) IF they let Him get away with not paying taxes.

(Exodus 23:8) "You shall not accept a bribe, for bribery makes the discerning man blind and the just man give a crooked answer" (NEB).

(Deuteronomy 16:19) "You shall not pervert the course of justice or show favor, nor shall you accept a bribe; for bribery makes the wise man blind and the just man give a crooked answer." (NEB)

(Matthew 6:24) "No servant can be the slave of two masters ... You cannot serve God and Money". (NEB)

Therefore, GENUINE (I surrender all) Christians are clearly forbidden to accept money or gifts for Silence on Any Issue, albeit spiritual or moral. Church tax-exempt status absolute violates God's clear requirement that Christians say whatever needs to be said, regardless of the consequences or retribution.



ISSUE-5 : US Churches : Frankenstein of Religious & Secular Entities

I’m NOT a lawyer, just an Engineer, so my knowledge of Religious Corporations was acquired slowly after many hours in the Tulane University Law Library (New Orleans).

The US Supreme Court recognizes that US churches are comprised of TWO "Separate But Equal Entities".

Just like US segregation laws before Civil Rights …

Entity A : Religious Piece / Independent of US Government Control

Legal Jurisdiction over Theology, Prayers, Hymns and other Spiritual Stuff, etc.

Entity B : Secular Piece / Potential Slaves to Federal Tax-Exempt Law

Legal Jurisdiction over Money, Property, Purchase Orders for Hymn Books, Insurance Contracts, Payroll, Corporate Officers & Boards of Directors, Zoning Permits, Water & Electric Utility Bills, Salaries, Bonuses, Air Conditioned Dog Houses, Legal Fees, TV and Radio Broadcasts.

IF --- a Religious Corporation is under IRS 501 c-3, then ALL of the Secular Stuff is UNDER FEDERAL CONTROL.



LEGAL CASE STUDY : Bob Jones University vs. United States (1973)

Bob Jones University (BJU) prohibited inter-racial dating and marriage between it’s Staff and Students. The US Justice department said this violated the "pre-eminent" policy of US Racial Integration Policies.

BJU replied that their prohibition against inter-racial dating and marriage rested EXCLUSIVELY on their Theology and Biblical Interpretation. US said that their Federal Integration Policy was more important than BJU’s theology, especially since BJU was a Federal Contractor vis-à-vis IRS 501 C-3.

US Supreme Court ruled against BJU in 1973.

BJU’s Response : Jettisoned their Tax-Exempt Status, so that they could faithfully follow their Biblical Beliefs and Convictions. Moreover, BJU was NOW free to engage in Political Activity to their heart’s content, NO LONGER SPIRITUAL SLAVES to their Federal Tax-Exempt Masters.

Copy of Federal Lawsuit available upon request.



Patton@Bastogne



.

[wideminded]

Why does that picture instantly remind me of Jim and Tammy Bakker?

For a long time, whenever I saw these people on TV I thought that Tammy Faye was still on the air. I recently found out it was someone who looked like her.

[Dante3]

Isn't Hinn not much different from Crouch?

[Dante3]

Another televangelist who was in and out of trouble, including a stint in the pen for arson, is Leroy Jenkins. There was a big write-up a while back about a film being produced about his life but I haven't heard more about it.

[truthandlife]

A few thing on Hinn:

Benny Hinn has millions of believers and millions in donations

Evangelist Benny Hinn is controversial for his frequently aberrant - and at times heretical - theology, his unorthodox practices, and his false claims.

[Godfollow]

Paul (dufus extraordinar) and his idiot Blond wife are what I've always called plastic Christianity... they make people ask, "if that is Christianity, why would I want to be like that?" Would you want to be like Paul, his wife or most of his guests? Honestly?

[Dante3]

Interesting. Thanks.

[traumer]

Here is another 'Guru' I liked Benny Hill....

[tame]

ping

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Read the entire article at yahoo, without having to register:

click here for article

I'm shocked at how many people think the allegations are automatically true. The guy who's accusing him "has a history of drug problems and has served time for a sex offense". It sounds like an attempt by a psycho to extort money from Paul Crouch. Read the article. The guy is an accomplished extortionist. He already said that he'd keep the manuscript out of the public eye if Crouch paid him $10-million dollars.

[longtermmemmory]

200 dollars will get you into any courthouse to make a mere accusation for profit.

I can accuse anyone of anything in the hopes they will "settle" as a business calculation.

This is why the trial by public embarasment must be an equal consideration of any tort reform.

[csvset]

I read the whole story, (thanks to bugmenot.com). I saw that the accuser had a history of drug abuse as well as sexual assault. If the TV "preacher" did have a roll in the hay with the guy, he's begging to catch something far worse than a law suite.