Is the Grassley investigation of "prosperity ministries" appropriate?

Question

Randy and Paula White, Benny Hinn, David and Joyce Meyer, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Bishop Eddie Long, Creflo and Taffi Dollar are all being scrutinized by Senator Chuck Grassley for possible improprieties.

The big winner so far has to be Joyce Meyer, who (according to the Jefferson County, MO assessor's office) has a $23,000 marble-topped commode in her ministry's headquarters. One has to wonder how many needy people could have been helped with $23,000.

What are the tax-exempt reasons for some of these lavish acquisitions?

Answer 1

I think the investigation is completely appropriate. If they have nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear. And if they're taking money out of the pockets of the elderly, poor and unhappy with promises of Heaven-on-earth, it needs to be exposed. Anybody remember the Swaggart scandal, along with others? Which is worse, to check and see what's up, or wait till it's blasted all over the papers and more people get hurt?

I wonder if the White House even has a $23,000 commode.

I am a devout Christian and I feel very sure that Jesus takes a very dim view of ANYONE who uses His name to line their own pockets and feather their own nests at the expense of others. NOwhere is it written in the Bible that thou shalt make haste to be rich. I believe what it says is, "You cannot serve both God and money."

I'm not saying poor means holy. I'm just saying, what do they have to hide?

Answer 2

I feel that anyone with a 401-c should have to file papers of accountability and be subject to audits. However as far as the big winner I think we will see it to be the Whites and Bishop Jakes will be brought along for the ride. Randy and Paula have other business set up which their ministry "purchase" items from. And also found it necessary for their church to give Bishop Jakes a Bentley.

Answer 3

I am kinda surprised primora is actually defensive about money grubbing televangelists and ministries. On every other question regarding a biblical sin, he is usually so biblically stawart and fundamentalist,

I fully expected him to whip out scriptures like Matt 19:23-24, Luk 16:14, 1John 3:17 to condemn materialistic tele-evangelism.

I guess moral relativity is a universal thing.

Answer 4

Yes I think it should be mandatory that these ministries be scrutinized like this. Because unless they send out an annual statement we the givers have no idea where the funds are distributed to and what they are used for. I'm excited to see the results!

Answer 5

Yes they are very appropriate. Letting the poor and uneducated in our society be played as rubes and hayseeds by these people is unethical.

Primoa, if an atheist organization was stealing money proposed for charity, they should be prosecuted to the fullest. The funny thing is that it never is, that birthright belongs to the religious organizations for some reason.

Answer 6

I think you would be hard pressed to find any people who are making greater contributions to others around the world than these individuals...I think we ought to focus less on casting stones at them and seek to support them.

Answer 7

They need it to justify the "pyramid scheme" of their "prosperity gospel"!

I am a Christian who personally believes that these hucksters give Christianity a bad name!

Answer 8

Would it be any different if say, an atheistic organization were doing the same thing?
What would you think then?

This is simply another way for the feds to pick on us Christians. They are the first ones to cry foul when the so-called "church-state seperation clause" is being violated.........but when it comes to money, suddenly the clause flies out the window?

It's a double-standard......and it's not right. Any 401 c 3 organization should not be audited like this

Answer 9

Everyone does it.
GOD BLESS and SHALOM