R. charles grassley, keep your greedy hands off God's money!!!

[Philosoraptor]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/24/us/24church.html?ref=us


Senator Awaiting Records of Ministries’ Finances

By NEELA BANERJEE
Published: December 24, 2007

Six weeks after Senator Charles E. Grassley asked six well-known evangelistic ministries to provide information on how they spent donors’ money, only two have complied.

The lawyers for one ministry have asked for more time from Mr. Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, who sent letters to the organizations in early November. Three other ministries have not been in recent contact with the committee or have said they will not cooperate.

“This is early in the process,” Mr. Grassley, of Iowa, said in an e-mail message last week. “If the ministries indicate a willingness to cooperate, I’ll be glad to work with them on a rolling production of information. I hope all of the ministries will see that transparency is part of enjoying tax exemption and that they’ll share information in that spirit.”

Popular with women for her no-nonsense brand of self-help, Ms. Meyer was asked by Mr. Grassley’s office to explain the “tax-exempt purpose” of purchases including a “commode with marble top” bought for $23,000 for her headquarters.

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All I can figure is mr. grassley wants some o' that tax free money that the senators and congressmen can never get their hands on, the billions sent in by the faithful to t.v. and radio preachers. Doesn't mr. grassley understand that God rewards his most popular evangelists with great riches, Joyce Myers doesn't get those furniture-like outfits off the Kmart rack y'know, and God wants Creflo Dollar to look extra sharp on Sunday morning t.v.

When you watch Benny Hinn work miracles on the afflicted with a mere touch of his hand to their faithful foreheads, you just know that God loves him extra specially, which is why he is one of the wealthiest of the t.v. healers and wheeler dealers. And if sister Joyce Myers wants to take a holy crap in a $23,000 dumper then we can only see it as God's reward for her spreading the joy of Jesus and pulling in over 120 Million with an 'M' per annually.

Who the hell does this republican charles grassley think he is anyway to mess with the Lord's own helpers and the Lord's own money? Is he trying to tear down the sacred, invisible wall that separates the church from the state? What business is it of his how God's messengers on earth spend their hard earned monies? Has he nothing more important to do than to harass and harangue good, Christian people? Isn't there a war on or something?

All I can figure is that mr. grassley is just an evil old Scrooge who wants some of God's money for HIMSELF, and he'd probably use if for something other than spreading the gospel. Why doesn't he just leave these mega churches and televangelist superstars alone? Shame on you mr. grassley you wicked old sinner, attacking the holy and attempting to commit highway robbery with the Sunday morning tithing plate!

Go to hell grassley you old miser, there's a special section awaiting you there, for those who would dare to purloin God's own purse.

[KharmaTrain]

1. Well Stated

While I'd love to see some of these ministries investigated for consumer fraud, it's not the role of the government to get into this, it's for those who've been wronged.

After all these years of these tele-preachers, if a person gives money they should know what they're getting into. If they don't mind the extravagance and find some kind of peace in throwing money at these charlatans...so be it. That's what an open society is all about.

[blogslut]

2. I think you missed the sarcasm

They should be investigated. They are fraudsters selling an unregulated product to the masses.

[KharmaTrain]

3. Grassley's Not The One To Do It

I got the sarcasm, but also hope you see the irony.

I really don't want the government sticking its nose into this mess as it does cross the line between church and state. Also, I suspect that Grassley's doing some other preacher's dirty work...there's plenty of jealousy in that world (as we've seen).

If there's to be an investigation, it should be from those who feel they've been ripped off. Let the parishoners or whatever they call themselves launch a class action suit for accounting and other abuses. If crimes have been committed, let it flow from that direction (like it did with Jim Bakker) not by some bloviating repugnican with a hidden agenda.

[blogslut]

4. OK

A class action suit sounds just fine to me.

[Philosoraptor]

5. I just hope the faithful donators got their money's worth.

:sarcasm:

[Swamp Rat]

6. They get jin-u-wine prayer cloths

[MiniMe]

7. I disagree. As long as they are claiming tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3)

It should be under the government's domain. Perhaps the IRS would be a more appropriate place for the investigation, but do you trust any government agency under * to do an investigation like that? Would you feel better if it was a democratic Senator that was investigating?

[KharmaTrain]

10. If They're Proven To Be A Fraud

then definitely their 501(c)(3) should be removed...but that would be the result of a court action that can't be messed up with political influence and money. If a religious organization conforms to the legal definitions of non-profit...no matter how wacky or "fraudulent" they are, they should be left alone. It's up to the individual to make the determination of if it is a fraud or not. While both of us will agree that a Robertson or Bob Jones or Benny Hinn or whomever is a fraud, there are those who find some comfort or other benefits through supporting these "ministries"...while we can agree it's stupid or foolish, that's not something that can or should be legislated. The best we can/should do is alert people to the con games and if they still choose to throw their money away, it's their money.

That said, I have a lot of problems with the government giving religious organizations preference in obtaining broadcast licenses as a non-profit entity. Many of these ministries use these broadcast outlets to make the big money...abusing the non-profit status by their fundraising and other ponzi schemes. That's where a government investigation could come in handy, but I'm sure not holding my breath for the FCC to act.

Cheers...

[lynnertic]

8. congressman work on behalf of the people including the ripped-off parishoners

who otherwise have little power or recourse. Class-action lawsuits enrich lawyers while taxes (purportedly) benefit the people.

[Philosoraptor]

9. Were the parishoners actually ripped off?

I mean, they got what they payed for didn't they? Or do they have that money coming back to them?

[blogslut]

12. That's why I like my church

The Church of the SubGenius.

We're up front. Salvation costs a flat fee of $30.00. Salvation guaranteed or your money back!

:)

[KharmaTrain]

11. Congressmen work on behalf of the people????

Not if you read the threads here on DU. If it's not hanging Pelosi, it's kicking Reid and blasting Conyers. And those are Democrats. You're expecting a Repugnican to work on behalf of people over special interests? Did the earth fall off it's axis last night? :rofl:

Class action suits would get a lot more truth out about these ministries than some dumbed downed congressional "probe" tainted with partisanship and special interests.

If a lawsuit doesn't have merit, it's tough for a lawyer to get rich...or do you propose that lawyers should work pro-bono?