Monday, January 14, 2008

Megachurch megaprofits


Interesting story from PZ Myers.


You really should read this Senator Charles Grassley's investigation into megachurches. It's about time someone pulled down these big-time scams.

Nearly 2,000 years later, some who claim to speak in Jesus' name are taking a different view. Consider Bishop Eddie Long, who pastors a megachurch in Lithonia, Ga. With a salary approaching $1 million a year and a nine-bathroom mansion situated on 20 acres, Long's choice of vehicles reflects his opulent lifestyle: He drives a $350,000 Bentley.

Far from casting out money changers, Long is likely to join them. In a 2005 profile in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he defended his high-flying ways, insisting, "I pastor a multimillion dollar congregation. You've got to put me on a different scale than the little black preacher sitting over there that's supposed to be just getting by because the people are suffering."
These charlatans tend to hide behind the first amendment and claim that their congregations have a right to worship as they please (which generally seems to mean throwing money to the pastor at his bidding). As the article makes clear, Grassley isn't interested in challenging them on constitutional issues: he's investigation financial fraud, not doctrine.

That sounds fair to me. Churches ought to repay their tax exemption by being required to provide full, open, public disclosure of all of their finances.
It is a good point. I am loathe to strip the tax exempt status, as it is heavily supported, I assume, by the populace. But it seems fair to be aware of churches that are a for profit operation, and damn profitable ones to boot. In this changing environment where some of these "men of the cloth" have vast wealth and dynasties to pass down, or blow, maybe the blanket tax exemption is a thing of the past? At least in cases where the money is not be redistributed, used for deeds, etc, but getting pocketed.

Worth considering.

1 comment:

  1. Word Of Faith Preachers. Are They Men Of God Or False Teachers? What Do You Think? Have Your Say
    I think it is High Time that men of God STAND UP and speak the truth in love in response to what the Bible says about proper Christian conduct and how a Man of God should be an example to the Church and the unbeliever.First of all I believe the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,That Jesus was born of a Virgin,That Jesus died on the cross of Calvary to provide redemption from sin,and that Jesus rose on the 3rd. day.And I also believe that Jesus Christ is THE ONLY WAY in which a man can find Salvation and eternal life and apart from faith in Jesus Christ men will be judged by God who is Holy to an eternity in Hell for their wickedness and sin.I also believe what the Lord said in
    John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Only those who are Born Again will be saved form God's wrath and eternal torment in hell.
    Secondly the Bible clearly states that we are to consider all things by the Word of God so that we know how the Man of God should conduct himself.And the word of God says in 2 Timothy 2:15:
    Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

    And the word of truth is what we are to use to conduct our lifes.And if one studies God word they will find In 2nd Timothy 3:16-17: it states
    All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
    17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

    Gods word is profitable for many wonderful things and here in particular 4 Things.
    1-For doctrine 2-For reproof 3-For correction
    4-For instruction in righteousness

    And these 4 Things are provided by God to us for a reason because without sound doctrine,without reproof,without correction and without instruction in rightousness
    Then v:17 would not be correct which says:
    17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

    So when some suggest that someone is judging by agreeing with what Senator Grassley is bringing out in the open about these Pastors lifestyles.
    It has been reported in the US press that some of these 6 ministries Pastors under public scrunity who are Benny Hinn,Keneth Copeland,Crefflo Dollar Joyce Myers and others, that they fly in Cessana Jets,drive Rolls Royces and Bentley Convertables,live in Mansions worth from 2 Million Dollars up to 10 Million Dollars,stay in Presidentalial Suites for a sum of one Thousand Dollars up to Ten Thousand Dollars a night and have a Salary of $500,000 up to 1 Million, or 2 Million US Dollars .One of these 6 Pastors when asked on CNN IF THEY BELIEVED JESUS WOULD AGREE TO THEM HAVING A ROLLS ROYCE? HE SAID "YES Jesus would agree"

    So when we look at what is taking place with Senator Grassley,s requested inquiry on ministries such as the above and in light of the scandal at Oral Roberts University where as even the President Richard Roberts resigned a little while back after his accountant informed the world that he was instructed to "cook the books" by Richard Roberts himself and the accountant was Fired.

    And when you take into account that these 6 ministries teach false teachings that I Quote..
    "We are all little gods" and that we have the power to create through our words,and the Properity Gospel.
    Now if anyone agrees with what these above Word of Faith preachers teach,then let me ask you 3 questions.
    #-1- Are you a little god?
    #-2-Do you have the power to create by the words you speak?
    #-3- Are you the Creator?
    If you honestly answer no to any of these questions then I sincerely suggest that you check out the teachings of the above Word of Faith teachers because that is exactly what they teach.Check it out for yourself because that is not what the bible teaches at all.
    Now perhaps one is being judgemental if you think that Doctrine Reproof,Correction and Instruction in Rightousness is not an appropiate measure to be guided by not only in these 6 Pastors ministries but in any Christian ministries.
    And let me ask have you really dug into what The Word of Faith Movement teaches?I suggest that any one reading this finds out and become aware of what these ministries teach.The choice is yours.

    It's about time that MEN OF GOD STAND UP and speak the word of truth in love and through Gods Word find Doctrine and Reproof false teachers and bring Correction so that people are not mislead and bring Instruction in righteousness so that people wiil be aware of what is happening.

    I am an ordained Pentecostal minister in Regent Park -St. Jamestown Toronto.And I have a duty as a watchman of the church God has called me to lead.Here are some scriptures to that warn us of the very things we are talking about.

    2nd.Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
    2: And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
    3: And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

    1 Timothy 4:1: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

    1rst Timothy 6:3-11 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
    4: He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
    5: Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
    6: But godliness with contentment is great gain.
    7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
    8: And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
    9: But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
    10: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
    11: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

    1rst Peter 5:2: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
    3: Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

    If anyone would like to discuss what My views are on any of the above statements or on the bible in general,please feel free to respond to this email... Pastor Mike Grady info@mgrady.net

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