A US Senate investigation into the spending habits, perks, and expenses of some well known ministries is pending - but today the AP reports that at least two preachers aren't having it.
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar, the charismatic televangelist whose business acumen has launched several ministries and a record label, has told the Senate to either refer the investigation to the IRS, or get themselves a subpoena. Dollar leads Atlanta's World Changers Church International, and preaches the controversial "prosperity theology," the idea that financial gain is God's reward among the faithful.
The investigation was spearheaded in November by Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), who heads up the Senate Finance Committee. Sen. Grassley sent questionnaires to six prosperity theology-preaching ministries to determine whether pastors were compliant with IRS standards for personal wealth gained through tax-exempt work. Also under investigation are Texas' Benny Hinn Ministries, Missouri's Joyce Meyer Ministries, Oklahoma's Kenneth Copeland Ministries, Florida's Paula White (of Without Walls International Church) and Georgia's Eddie Long (of New Birth Missionary Baptist).
Echoing Dollar's spurn of the inquiry, Benny Hinn told the Senate he would not respond until next year. Joyce Meyer, on the other hand, has provided the financial information requested.
Grassley, a practicing Baptist who has been a featured speaker at Christian gatherings in recent years, told the AP, "Hopefully these organizations will work with us. I don't think I've had to issue a single subpoena in the five years that I've been trying to get cooperation from organizations."
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1.
The_Cool_Kid says:
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They gonna get all these cats. The Senate doesn't play like that!
http://thecoolkidslunchtable.blogspot.com/
December 6, 2007 at 2:56 pm