It was just a matter of time. The primping, pimping, styling and profiling of today’s televangelists was sure to attract attention – not from the devote followers, but from the government. On November 5, Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) swooped down like Jesus on the moneychangers and served written notice to six of America’s most popular evangelical ministries, the likes of which can be found on “Christian” television channels such as Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and Daystar.
The ministries ascribe to the “prosperity” doctrine, which promotes the belief that every dime (preferably dollar) given to “the church” will serve as a guarantee of a 10, 20, 100-plus-fold blessing for the giver. Who can beat those odds? What will these donors, often known as tithers, receive? Good health? Peace of mind? Oh, please. Fancy cars, boats, and luxury homes are more like it.
Who are these recipients of this surely unwanted government attention? Here’s a list of the Grassley Six:
World Changers Church International, College Park, Georgia, headed by Rev. Creflo A. Dollar Jr. and his wife, Taffi
Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries, Tampa, Florida
World Healing Center Church, Grapevine, Texas, headed by the controversial faith healer, Benny Hinn
Joyce Meyers Ministries, Fenton, Missouri
New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Lithonia, Georgia, headed by Bishop Eddie L. Long
Kenneth Copeland Ministries, Newark, Texas, headed by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland
The ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee is giving The Six until December 6 to provide the requested documentation in order determine if they have abused their tax exempt status by using donations “to finance opulent lifestyles.” He, like so many others, myself included, would like to know, in more detail, about compensation, cars, airplanes and cosmetic surgery expenses. You read correctly: cosmetic surgery. It was mentioned in the letter sent to the soon-to-be-divorced Paula and Randy White of Without Walls International Church.
At the risk of sounding super catty, Paula White does appear as if she drinks Restlin, the skin enhancer and wrinkle remover, straight from the bottle. Her breasts definitely look store bought. If you ask Paula, she might say, “Oh, yes, it’s all for the Lord and his glory. If I look good, He looks good.”
Apparently, Grassley’s not buying it. Recently, he told the New York Times, “Jesus comes into a city on a simple mule and you got people today expanding his gospel on corporate jets. Somebody ought to raise questions about is it right or wrong.” Preach, Brother Grassley, preach.
Article comments
1 - JMS
I totally agree with Carla's article. I have been a born-again Christian for more than 20 years and the Jesus of the Bible is not the same Jesus that the prosperity teachers present to their supporters. Jesus Christ, who is God, humbled himself and came into this world as a baby, suffered on the cross for our sins and rose again for our redemption. This salvation he offered is free to all those who accept him as their personal Savior.
The work of the minister in the church is to reach out to be a witness for Christ and share his love with others.
(All scripture the New International Version)
Deuteronomy 10:17-18 "For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing."
James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Luke 12:15 (spoken by Jesus) "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
I could go on and on. God wants all his children to be blessed and have nice things, but not at the expense of the people for their own personal gain.
My prayer is that all prosperity teachers "wake-up" to the truth and realize that it is Jesus Christ who is our source and that the "love of money" is the root of "ALL" evil (1 Timothy 6:10).
2 - gah harrumph
next up Church of Scientology. Please!
3 - Bernie of FreeGoodNews.com
Yes, reform is desperately needed. Some, like Benny Hinn, have been exposed more than twice on the Dateline TV show. One of the most obvious preacher abusers is Pastor John Hagee of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio. Look on the internet for the "PETITION FOR PASTOR HAGEE TO REPENT" for details. Pastor Hagee takes over 1 million dollars annually from his ministries for personal profit. It is all docuemtned in public tax returns for his TV ministry. He has since folded his TV operations into his church so he can now hide the info from the public. And Pastor Hagee is supposed to be one of the overseers for ORU, which is n the midst of a financial scandal of its own.
4 - bliffle
What Would Jesus Buy?
You have to ask the Church Of Stop Shopping.
5 - Archimedes
Reform is not needed. It is abolition that is required. What is it that these pastors offer society that individuals can't give themselves. The answer is nothing. The sooner it becomes realized that beliefs are personally held and cannot be bought and sold, the better this country will be. Personally, I believe the entire world would be a better place if all religion was abolished and people kept their personal beliefs within their person.
6 - Jusa
shut up Carla
you are not God so u can't judge them just pray for them
7 - PBG
I had a spiritual moment when reading this article. HAHA.. It was a Paula White kind of “Plastic surgery spirit” and it kept saying "Do a blow out for Jesus".... So I am going to the beauty parlor today.HAA! AMEN.
Anyway, can I hear an AMEN somebody. *sigh* Yes, Amen to the courageous Senator. I hope other prosperity preachers will wake up, smell the audit and then shake in fear.
Hmm..I wonder why TD Jakes was not included... Oh, I forgot, his BMF, Dr. Phil, no stranger to law suits...must have told him to lawyer his church organization up to the wazoo... I think the name of TD Jakes' church should change from Potters house to Lawyers house.
Joel Osteen? Safe for now but let us wait and see!
8 - Albert Lombardo
Ihanks to Senator Grassley for taking the lead to tax and tax heavely these preaching racketeers. Every senator and congressman needs some guts and pass a law thst taxes their bussiness. What a racket You pay for no merchandise. All Bussiness should be taxed especially this gravey train going on for yearss.
Albert Lombadrdo Invasion of Normandy Veteran.
June 6-1944.a Christian
9 - Ben D. Kennedy
The quote you credit to Joan of Arc was edited by the porn queen to remove the most important part: Joan's reliance upon God. The actual quote was: "I do not fear the soldiers, for my road is made open to me; and if the soldiers come, I have God, my Lord, who will know how to clear the route that leads to messire the Dauphin. It was for this that I was born!"
If you have any questions about Joan of Arc and want the true story visit Joan of Arc - MaidofHeaven.com
10 - Carsten
I wonder why so many (Christians) have problems with money, giving and envy: If you don't want to donate, don't do it - it's that simple. And please leave us church members alone because most of us check to whom we give our already TAXED income.
The tithes and offerings of many committed Christians make a huge difference in this dying world while governments waste billions every year - without any legal consequences, of course. Maybe Sen. Grassley should start cleaning his own backyard first.
11 - bliffle
Yeah, like how about starting by ending that stupid religious war halfway around the world. How about taking care of our own people, right here in our own backyards? As any Good Christian would do if they paid attention to Jesus' teaching.
12 - Elove
You don't know all the facts. The news is never 100% accurate. We don't have the right to judge because we don't know all the information. Let's stop judging and start looking at ourselves before we point the finger because in reality when we judge others it's because something is wrong with ourselves. Man looks at the outside appearance but God sees the heart.
13 - sara
the mighty have fallen, its already started with the biggest false idiot of the lot benny hinn, hes not allowed into the england, they found out he comes fleeces the people of money and leaves, enough said.