Apples and oranges, those you mention are not amassing their wealth as a tax exempt church. Did you even read the article or any others on the topic?
They are not being investigated just because of their wealth, they are being investigated for the possibility of breaking the law, using the tax exempt status of their church for personal profit.
Another thing on this topic. The man instigating this appears to be even handed, with his motives. To suggest otherwise without proof is reckless.
IMHO it is unfortunate when Christians blindly defend these people, just because they are calling themselves a church,
doing so does harm. To become outraged without looking at any facts or proof themselves, is exactly why so many of the world look at Christians as hypocrites, and does damage to our witness. If we do not demand, and stand for what is honest and right, then who else? If these people are indeed breaking the law, we should be the first to want the light shown on that.
Nope.
Nothing.
I agree.
:applause:
Well said, NiteShift.
If we're gonna scrutinize preachers of the prosperity gospel then the televangelists you aptly noted certainly deserve an interrogation themselves.
This has got to be about the most hilarious thread I have seen in a while.
We have two groups, politicians and TV evangelists, questioning each others ethics.
Maybe we could add lawyers.
Is the govt suppose to set standards for churches and ministries? I thought this was the United State not Russia.
Is there a
govt assignment of auto's and houses that Preachers should have?
Should all
preachers drive a 6 year old white malibu?
Should the govt suppose to decide what kind of a house a minister should live in?
Yes, I read the article. And if televangelists are breaking the law there should be penalties. And very likely if you went over the finances of those named wealthy senators with a fine-toothed comb you would find irregularities there also. Let the investigations begin!
I assuemd you were in favor of the US goiernement keeping away from religious activities. The Jonestown Massacre is a good example of how religion took over the people and they became a slave to it in favor of godly wisdom and actions.
Actually it is because the govt. started an investigation that made Jim Jones move his operations out of the US. Then when Representative Leo J. Ryan went there to continue the investigation, Jim Jones and followers killed Mr Ryan and then assisted his flock in a mass murder suicide. :tear:
I don't tink you can take a quantam leap from Jonestown and a televangelist. there is no koolaid involved here
Is it right for a senator that has a certain docrinal persuasion to slam those that he disagrees with. Think of the danger of this.
Yes, it is a matter of doctrinal persuasion. Evil and wrondoing is a matter of doctrinal persuasion.
Everything we do is based on the foundation of what we believe.
Those who are being investigated have been warned for several years.
It reminds me of an old saying, "Humble yourself before God has to do it."
The Securities and Excahnge Comission investigated the Baptist Foundation of Arizona and found some criminals among the leadership. Had those criminals continued on like they had by continuing to lie to the investors it would have continued to steal millions of dollars. The SBC did not investigate itself and continued to rely on an outside auditor who were crooks. Finally the governement stepped in and shut them down.
There is no law against doing good. Laws can only reveal wrongdoing. If those "ministries" have nothing to hide and have done nothing wrong they have nothing to worry about. They should be willing to welcome scrutiny. Every Christian ministry should be held to the highest standard of excellence because more is at stake than just money.
My problem with this is that it is not the job f the gov in the U.S. to regulate relgion.
I assure you that they will n ot regulate moslems or The Nation of ISLAM.
Whe the Iowa senator said that If jesus rode on a donkey why do televangelist need a airplane? this tells me that this senator is using his influence as a senator to try to force a religious preference.
BTW why is it only
word of Faith preachers ( please don't start a rabbit trail on wheither you disagree with WOF that is not the issue).
What about Paige pattersons safari hunts( I cannot afford to do this so does that make him a crook).
If the Senator will take a donkey to Wasington I'll listen to him.