(Nov. 6) – CBS News has learned Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is investigating six prominent televangelist ministries for possible financial misconduct.Letters were sent Monday to the ministries demanding that financial statements and records be turned over to the committee by Dec. 6.According to Grassley’s office, the Iowa Republican is trying to determine whether or not these ministries are improperly using their tax-exempt status as churches to shield lavish lifestyles.The six ministries identified as being under investigation by the committee are led by: Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn. Three of the six – Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar – also sit on the Board of Regents for the Oral Roberts University.
I wonder why Pat Robertson’s and the late Jerry Falwell’s “ministries” aren’t listed?
Alex,
Personal friends of Bush are unlikely to get scrutiny.
We all know that they’re frauds. I actually was able to watch (but not stomach) one of the Fox network’s programs. All doom-and-gloom bullshit about Revelations and the apocalypse. He made all kinds of predictions and then after making them slipped in a little one-liner that exempted anyone from holding him to it. It was such a short deal that if you yawned you’d have missed it. Then they went on to try and sell you books to “counsel” drug addicts with (religiously-themed bullshit written by the host). They called the fees a “donation” but you can bet your Skivvies that they wouldn’t let you get a copy without this “donation.” I forget the name of the program but it was something “van” something.
The sad thing is, I know my father watches that bullshit. He watches Faux News too in order to get his “fair and balanced” news. I die a little inside when I think about how deluded an otherwise intelligent man has allowed himself to become.
Now that it’s officially legal, I think we should waterboard them to find out if the allegations are true. If they are innocent they have nothing to hide.
Creflo DOLLAR?! C’mahnnnn, it can’t get any better than that! Hahahaha!
Unfortunately I’m with Atomic re his dad on what I bet will be the reaction of the faithful–the ‘poor’ spokesmen for Da Lawd will cry and weep about persecution by godless libruls (Grassley?!) and the sheeple will fall for it. And send mo’ money for the defense fund!
get rid of tax breaks for religion.will religion survive of course it would but a religion doesn’t have to be about supernatural belief.it can be about living a certain lifestyle.likeminded people getting together on a regular basis for fellowship is good it is this devotion to bronze age supernatural beliefs that allows these crooks to flourish.
what are the chances of these tax breaks ever ending.
atomictesting,
There’s no “s”…
One must always research tax exempt organizations…
The founder of AA not only lived a lavish lifestyle, but also left AA in such a financial hole that they’ve really never recovered…
And I’m sure the weak minded will assume all churches give their pastors the ability to live a “lavish lifestyle”…
Xians are such suckers. Hey xians, enjoying that BushCo’s “ownership society”? I suspect, given the xian penchant for wishful thinking, that many of them bought homes in 2004 and beyond and are now upside-down in equity.
phreedm
do you contest that the rise of the tv preachers and megachurchs have held back our region [the south].we have gone from churchs promoting personal piety to entertainment.
OT
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,308816,00.html
We should all get together and put up our own xmas nativities! The most rediculous stuff you can imagine. Just to go along with baby jesus. Perhaps baby FSM, Satan, Zues, or something just as rediculous. If the courts allow one, allow all.
If? IF??
The question should be “How,” with a deadly-serious intent of prosecution.
DeepDiver
does baby satan have blue eyes and blond hair like jesus.
Lavish lifestyles or mot, how is it fair that churches pay no taxes yet benefit from tax money? No xian has ever been able to offer me an answer.
The FDA should step in and regulate religion – the opium of the masses. It’s sold over-the-counter with outrageous claims of eternal longevity. It is administered through prayer despite the fact that prayer has been tested and found to be ineffective. It is toxic in even small doses and has tremendous abuse potential.
I’d love to see a “RELIGION” issue of consumer reports.
Alex,
phreedm dodged that question a few weeks ago. I should ask again.
phreedm,
Why do you think non-charitable churches should retain their tax-exempt status?