Posted on 12/06/2007 12:32:54 AM PST by Gamecock
One of six Christian ministries under investigation by a Senate committee is rebuffing inquiries into its spending, challenging the panel's watchdog role over religious groups, The Associated Press has learned.
A lawyer for preacher Creflo Dollar of World Changers Church International in suburban Atlanta has asked Sen. Charles Grassley to either refer the matter to the IRS or get a subpoena, according to a letter from Dollar's attorney obtained Wednesday by the AP.
Grassley, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, sent pointed questionnaires in early November to a half-dozen ministries, asking about salaries, perks, travel and oversight. The Iowa Republican set Thursday as the deadline for a response.
All six organizations preach a form of the "prosperity gospel," the belief that God wants his faithful followers to reap material rewards.
Besides Dollar, several other televangelists have signaled concerns about invasions of privacy and violations of religious freedom. Only Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo., has provided the detailed financial and board oversight information sought by Grassley.
Dollar's refusal could lead to a court fight, giving a judge the authority to decide whether the committee is entitled to all the information it requested.
Grassley emphasized the other five still have time. The senator also reiterated that his probe "has nothing to do with church doctrine" and is strictly concerned with making sure the tax-exempt groups are following the law.
Dollar has been the most vocal in his criticism of the probe. In the Nov. 27 letter obtained by the AP, Dollar attorney Marcus Owens wrote to Grassley and Sen. Max Baucus, the Finance Committee chairman, that the church is willing to comply with a "proper" request for information — but it should be handled by the IRS.
Owens, the former director of the IRS's exempt organizations division, pointed to precedent: In the 1980s, a House subcommittee asked the IRS to review concerns about televangelists.
"A referral would permit Senator Grassley and the Senate Finance Committee to discharge their obligation to oversee federal tax administration without running the risk of government entanglement in the Church's religious beliefs and practices," the letter said.
An IRS review also would ensure privacy, Owens wrote. All IRS reviews are confidential, and Dollar has said he worries that a Senate probe might air sensitive information about salaries, among other things.
Failing a referral to the IRS, Owens requested that the committee seek subpoenas to "provide an appropriate legal context for the review." With a subpoena, the church and its members could gain confidentiality protections.
Joyce Meyer Ministries expressed confidence last week that it would be found in "complete compliance" with financial regulations.
The organization also addressed one of the more salacious details in the letter from Grassley — its reported purchase of a $23,000 "commode with marble top." The ministry said it was not a common toilet but a "a tall elegant chest of drawers," and that the selling agent got the price wrong.
Aside from Dollar and Meyer, the other televangelists have been noncommittal in their public responses. But some have voiced strong objections that echo Dollar's about privacy and religious freedom.
Bishop Eddie Long, who leads a megachurch and ministry in Lithonia, Ga., initially promised to "fully comply" with Grassley's request. But a few days later, Long told his congregation the request was "unjust," "intrusive," and "an attack on our religious freedom and privacy rights."
The others who received letters from Grassley are Randy and Paula White of Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla.; Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas; and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas.
Owens said in an e-mail to the AP that while each ministry is "separately responding as it sees fit," lawyers for the ministries have been in touch and share common concerns about Grassley's request.
The letter from Dollar's attorney describes the prosperity gospel as a "deeply held religious belief" grounded in Scripture, and that the six churches are part of the "rich tapestry of religion in America" deserving of protection.
Some legal scholars believe the Senate is a proper forum to review religious nonprofit groups' finances — although with caveats.
Congress has a legitimate interest in making sure nonprofit rules are followed because confidentiality rules make it hard to track IRS enforcement, said Marc Stern, general counsel of the American Jewish Congress, who advises religious groups on church-state issues.
"On the other hand, Congress is a very blunt instrument," he said. "Congressional hearings are hardly models of due process and they can pick on anything they want for any reason they want and that raises real concern. So there's this pull in both directions."
YBPDLN Ping List Ping
The government might actually be doing some of them a favor. Too many preachers confuse material wealth with spiritual blessings. There are plenty of rich devils in this world, so I don’t think that is a sign God is blessing you.
1 Timothy 6
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
But just because there are rich devils doesn’t mean our government should be investigating them.
I thought the government was to make no law regarding an establishment of religion- oh yeah, these are 501c3 corporations, not churches.
Just saying- any church that organizes under 501c3 is subject to Caesar’s oversight....
Will be interesting to see how Grassley responds to Meyers.
“The government might actually be doing some of them a favor. Too many preachers confuse material wealth with spiritual blessings. There are plenty of rich devils in this world, so I don’t think that is a sign God is blessing you.”
Too many people confuse material wealth with Gods blessings. However having material wealth does not make you a devil and being poor does not make you blessed.
To address your comment on the locked thread, personalaccounts: I know you meant that tongue in cheek, but you brushed against a couple points I've been making all along.
1. By sheer membership, the so-called "megas" are dwarfed by the mainlines. Usually 10 to 20 thousand, versus hundreds of thousands of a particular mainline in a single metro area. But they have the misappellation of "mega" so the p*ssy senators can act like they are a young David versus a Goliath.
2. The real megas (the mainlines) have hundreds of thousands of votes and elected representatives in their ranks. Oh, and cash to make the mini-megas like Creflo drool. And they don't even need envelopes of cash. The loss of votes is enough.
3. Thus you will see investigations of "megas" (Oooh, scary! Megachurch!), and then only the more or less conservative ones, but will be hard pressed to find investigations of a wealthy archdiocese or denominational counsel. The politicians are corrupt but not suicidal.
Since when has Grassley not always been a putz?
See my #9. So-called megas aren’t unique when it comes to corruption. But since they are small, have limited funding and have no voting clout, they are good “foot in the door” targets. The much larger mainlines will be next, in ascending order according to size and political clout.
But then, as you said, maybe that will be good for them (and for your church, when its your turn), since the government will be keeping them poor and thus “blessed.”
If the senate is really concerned about this why aren't they investigating the tax exempt churches that actively campaign from the pulpit and use their churches as forums for certain candidates?
There are a lot of things money can't buy. One thing money CAN buy is good legal representation.
Just dump all non profit for any org...the abuse is rampant!
Let all pay taxes including churchs, schools and political orgs...install strict rules and qualifications for a very few orgs for Non Profit designation!
I'd go along with that. There really isn't such a thing as a non profit since someone profits from their activity. Unfortunately too much of the money passing through non profits ends up in the hand of politicians and their friends and relatives and there is no accounting required.
They are all scams.
ping
CReflo Dollar? Now THAT’S funny!
It was foreordained. ;-)
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