Senate Panel Probes 6 Top Televangelists

As soon as CBS News learned of Senator Charles Grassley's investigation of prominent televangelist ministries for possible financial misconduct, they jumped on board reporting hardly any facts and seemingly gave into the hopes of a scandal story the public supposedly cares about.

“Senate Probes Televangelists' Finances” is basically telling the readers that the Senator from Iowa, who also is the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, plans to conduct an investigation of six televangelist ministries: Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn.

It isn't until the 10th paragraph out of 13 that the actual reasons for investigations were revealed – and it's no wonder since the supposed “reasons” didn't seem that valid which is most likely why they are near the end of the story.

That paragraph finally reveals that the Senate Finance Committee decided to look into the ministries after letters and complaints were sent from Ole Anthony, a “crusader against religious fraud.”

Wow, this seems credible...someone looking to tear down televangelists. He's been in the business of exposing televangelists for more than 20 years according to the article. Oddly enough, there were no televangelists that he has been responsible for exposing attributed to his name.

Yes, folks, that's it. According to this article, Anthony's complains and letters are the sole reasons.

The article said Anthony works as a “watchdog” against religious media.

“We've been working with them [Senate Finance Committee] for two years. We have furnished them with enough information to fill a small Volkswagen."

That's great – there's enough evidence to fill a Volkswagen. What evidence? How did they acquire the evidence? Where did they acquire the evidence?

All of these questions remain unanswered.

Next, Anthony said this about Grassley's investigation...

"What we hope is that this will lead to reform in religious nonprofits."

Okay, I can understand this. If he is concerned and wants to see reform, then that's great. So, my next question when reading this was, “Ok, so what kind of reform? Reform from what original way?”

These questions remained answered in the article as well.

Senator Grassley remains unquoted. His office is paraphrased. An individual spokesperson wasn't named.

This leads me to wonder how the story is even newsworthy.

First, there is only an investigation being done – and hardly one at that since the six televangelists ministries are only being asked to hand over financial statements. No charges have been filed.

Secondly, reasons for the investigation were not immediately identified or hardly identified at all.

Thirdly, the reasoning and credibility of Anthony makes me wonder if these investigations are the result of true concern or merely just a “watchdog” game which would determine if there was news value in this article.

One good thing – The six televangelist ministries were asked to comment. Three did and the other three did not. Most of them were paraphrased. These comments were near the beginning of the article. But come on – that's to be expected.

Benny Hinn's spokesperson responded confidently and was quoted.

"World Healing Center Church complies with the laws that govern church and non-profit organizations and will continue to do so."

The article is lengthy and seems to provide many components, but when push comes to shove, the legitimate details that are essential to the story are just not there.

Comments

[Kristy Beach]

I’ve been there, that’s why I am here.
Exactly who does have a right to question Copeland about where the money goes? Copeland put on a exhalent performance at his latest ministers conference, visible at http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/copelandclips , in which has now gotten the attention of people all across the USA, and abroad. If I didn’t personally know better, one would actually think he cares about the protection of all his followers (partners),that pour money into his ministry. Requesting a summery of my mothers (Bonnie Parker) contributions, a long time partner of KCM, we like Grassley got little or no response. (Request viewable at http://sis359.blogspot.com/ ). If their partners aren’t entitled to this privileged information, even though they are funding this lavish lifestyle KCM has grown very accustom to, nor is the Senate entitled either, then who is? The IRS perhaps? Are the teachings of the Prosperity Gospel message being misconstrued? Do we, any of us, have a valid argument, or the right to ask for these records ? I believe with all my heart, we should let the ones affected most by this money making scam have a say in determining the answer to those questions..
“ I had a home“, “I had a life“, “I had faith“, “I had a family“, “I lost a loved one“, “I have no clue what the truth is anymore!” “I will never trust any form of religion.” these are merely a handful of endless testimonies coming to light nationwide. Ranging from all walks of life, their heartbreaking testimonies can be found throughout the web, yet inconceivably, victims are being labeled as fools, ignorant, and basically downright blind for not seeing the truth behind the Prosperity Gospels falsehoods. ” Being only human, our quest for health and wealth, regrettably does lead some in the wrong direction. Promises and guaranties, made by the Prosperity Gospel ministers, give people that have not obtained these blessings on their own, a second chance at achieving their goals in life. An important discovery I made while reviewing testimonies, revealed the fact numerous victims had very little knowledge of the Prosperity Gospels dark side. These unfortunate victims, appear to be equipped with only a small portion of the web of deceit these ministers weave . Picture yourself being raised in a small country town, with a population of only a few hundred, the closest city, only a population of only a few thousand. Computers, internet, cable, satellite TV, and other high tech gadgets are not needed or desired. You are living a simple , solemn life you wouldn’t trade for any amount of cash. After your working day is done, you gladly remove your shoes, kick back in your easy chair, and relax without a care in the world for a while. After flipping on the TV to view the local evening news broadcast, you are reminded to give thanks that you don’t have the worries that accompany life outside the safe haven of your home, and your community. Religion is your safeguard, your faith is strong, and you have no doubts about the truth behind your sacred beliefs. This was my life, before KCM.
Prosperity Gospel ministers enter the homes of many victims though a thirty minute Sunday morning worship service on a local broadcast station. Growing up in Jigger La., truly located in the middle of nowhere, I can testify to the fact that we only received on a clear day about three or four channels at most. Warnings of dangers associated with Prosperity Gospel ministries, made by critics, ministers, and victims go unheard, therefore tragically for many, when the realization of this scam is discovered it is already to late. Family’s have lost their homes, lifesavings, and some even their lives due to the Prosperity Gospels misleading doctrines. Unfortunately my mother was not one of the lucky ones, her confidence, and faith in this false Gospel, ultimately cost her, her life. After more than a decade of programming her mind to believe and think the Prosperity Gospel way of life, she lost her battle with cancer. By refusing medical attention, she sealed her fate, but the programming she had acquired from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland proved strong all the way to her last breath. A diary she left behind revealed the horrific tale of her life from 1992-2002, the top of each page titled with Kenneth Copeland, Gloria Copeland, or BVOV. Some mistakes in life we can not undo, and good intentions don’t always go as planed, these victims are simply following misleading promises of health and wealth. The use of miraculous healing confessions, and newly found wealth testimonies, are their sales pitch, sadly my mom among many other are proof that their sale pitch works. The possibility these Mega churches were misusing finances for personal luxuries is what brought this scam to the publics attention, not the loss of life, the financially bankrupt, and numerous homeless victims they have been left in the wake of this devastating hoax. So, do we continue blaming the victims, or do we stand up beside them, learn from there mistakes, and put an end to these senseless tragedies? Even I being a victims daughter have many lingering questions, such as follows, “How is it that some see the truth, and others do not?” ” What leads these victim to believe the unbelievable?” “ Are some more vulnerable to these sort of money making scams than others When all is said and done, perhaps they will be tagged, not as the Prosperity Gospel, but the false gospel. One Quote from Copelands mouth should erases any doubts of KCM innocence,
“It’s not yours, it’s God’s and you’re not going to get it and that’s something I’ll go to prison over. So, just get over it!”

The family of Bonnie Parker
E-MAIL sis359@gmail.com

Photo, before and after KCM,
http://picasaweb.google.com/sis359/BonnieParkerDiaryPhoto
Documentary Suffer The Children, exposes televangelists lavish lifestyles ,
http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/suffer-children
Book recently published by Sara Posner, also looks into these subjects,
http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Profits-Republican-Crusade-Values/dp/0979482216

[buzzboy443]

Here is another perspective you may want to consider. It is a blog entitled "Kenneth Copeland's Jet" http://dougwead.wordpress.com/2008/04/12/kenneth-copelands-jet/