Is it time to scrutinize religious entities financial records?

Question

Preacher rebuffs Senate spending inquiry
By ERIC GORSKI and RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writers

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071206/ap_on_re_us/televangelists_finances;_ylt=AltwA6R8Uf24dA6jU1gO1cNH2ocA


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.
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Roberts says God forced his resignation
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071129/ap_on_re_us/oral_roberts_scandal;_ylt=AlGVl65D5uuFe.GA2exgLpw7Xs8F

TULSA, Okla. - Richard Roberts told students at Oral Roberts University that he did not want to resign as president of the scandal-plagued evangelical school, but that he did so because God insisted.

Christian school president resigns amid scandal
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071124/us_nm/usa_evangelist_resignation_dc;_ylt=Aonj_0_u3U686TE36LSqsUI7Xs8F

The scandal has included allegations that Roberts, who is also a televangelist, used university funds for an extravagant personal lifestyle.

Oral Roberts University gets $70M pledge
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071128/ap_on_re_us/oral_roberts_scandal_17

Last week, university president Richard Roberts, the son of the school's founder and namesake, resigned. He will remain chairman of the association and be allowed to live in his university-owned home near campus for the time being, said George Pearsons, the regents' chairman.

Roberts and his father will remain "spiritual regents," who cannot vote on university matters. Richard Roberts' wife, Lindsay Roberts, stepped down as a regent about a month ago, Pearsons said.

The younger Roberts and the evangelical university have come under fire since three former professors sued last month, alleging wrongful termination.

The lawsuit includes allegations of a $39,000 shopping tab at one store for Lindsay Roberts, a $29,411 Bahamas senior trip on the university jet for one of Roberts' daughters, and a stable of horses for the Roberts children.

In the days after the lawsuit was filed, the university revealed it was more than $50 million in debt.

Answer 1

The church must be separate from the state. Religious organizations must be investigated because they are not to be regulated by government.

Answer 2

How real - yet there's somewhat caveat right here - how do you detect a organic phenomenon ? in the previous gluons have been detected did they exist ? What you're attempting to declare right it incredibly is - except somebody famous something that human beings attest to - it does no longer exist. Then somebody famous something that exists - and somebody comes up lots later and says it does no longer and every person else is confident. Then somebody comes and says that another ingredient does no longer exist - and then somebody comes alongside and says - no wait - it does and every person else is confident. that's no longer so uncomplicated my expensive. You job is only to attend, watch and have relaxing. you do no longer must be c*o.ok.confident approximately something in any respect. All that the lads say would be overturned sometime with new findings. Edit: Or something that exists is a organic phenomenon. Proving something using the medical technique could be elusive. And something being elusive is likewise a organic phenomenon. All which will properly be defined using technological understanding could desire to lie in the human ambit. something outdoors isn't medical. So something that lies outdoors the human adventure - if it does exist - should not be considered to exist. yet another edit: there is info (or the lack of ability of it) to recommend that no uncomplicated theory could properly be defined by using the reason-effect paradigm. they could be only 2 independant activities no longer even appropriate in time. There are some "outcomes" that take place in the previous the "reason" looks. I hear that scientists have given up on many stuff for a destiny study. And technological understanding is packed with memories like this the place a suspicion has been shown lots later. and a few has in no way been shown. it incredibly is to no longer recommend that the magical exists - it incredibly is to recommend a label for the unexplained activities.

Answer 3

Yes it is high time that something is done about the " non profit entities" that are called churched. MOst non profits must prove exactly how they are non profit and there is certainly some profit being made. It has been in the news way too much to not see that these people are making a buck on god and not having to pay into the tax system. Why should I pay and those with great vacations, private jets and several homes not have to?

Answer 4

Absolutely. I'm all for granting churches (legitimate ones) tax-exempt status. The charitable work ethical church organizations do more than justifies that.

But being exempt from taxes is one thing. Being exempt for legal accountability for properly using funds is another. And churces have NO RIGHT to being placed above the law, as tey are now. The should be subject to the same disclosure and auditing requrements as any other corporate entity.

Answer 5

I live in Tulsa and this man and his loser father Oral Roberts have been doing this for at least 40 years. People keep sending them money. So I think if people are stupid enough to do it let them lose their money and these two need to be in prison with the rest of their family.This is just the very tip of the ice burg.

Answer 6

When you have his and hers matching Citron jets that are tax free... Its time to start paying taxes.