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Some ministers being probed for alleged financial misconduct said they will cooperate with a Senate investigation. But they question whether the request for their financial records is overstepping government authority into religion.Bishop Eddie Long, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga., and one of the six high-profile ministers being investigated, called Sen. Charles Grassley's request unjust and[[[ "an attack on our religious freedom and privacy rights"]]] during the church’s service Sunday, according to The Associated Press.It was Long's first comment beyond the statement he issued saying he would cooperate since Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, sent letters to the ministers on Nov. 5 asking for financial statements.The Rev. Creflo Dollar, who leads World Changers Church International in College Park, Ga., already released some information about his and his church's finances. The minister’s 30,000-member church took in [[[$69 million in 2006,]]] according to a brief report his church showed The Atlanta Journal-Constitution."I generally don't make this public," Dollar said, as reported by the local newspaper.[[[[With big perks, such as Rolls-Royces, private jets and multi-million-dollar homes, that seem to come with being a popular preacher on TV, Dollar said he understands the senator's worries as the investigation evaluates whether the ministers are using their nonprofit status to enrich themselves.]]]] The six televangelists preach what critics call the [prosperity gospel, a highly criticized theology that teaches wealth is a sign of God's blessing.]But Dollar is also concerned that the government may be intruding into religion."First of all, it's a miscalculated assumption that those things were purchased with the church's money," {{{Dollar told CNN about his expensive home, private jet and $2.5-million Manhattan apartment.}}}(1) He said his ministry has been an "open book" and complies with the IRS.[Although the church gave Dollar a Rolls-Royce,](sigh....) which is largely used for special occasions, his income is separate from the church's and [[[provided by businesses he owns and from investments and real estate, he told the local newspaper.]]] "Without a doubt, my life is not average," Dollar said. "But I'd like to say, (just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong.")"The issue is, what route did you use to get that excess?" he noted.The prosperity preacher argues that "Jesus died for us so we can have a type of life that experiences peace and prosperity," according to CNN.However, Grassley, a Christian, has a different take."Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey," Grassley told The Los Angeles Times. [[["Do these ministers really need Bentleys and Rolls-Royces to spread the Gospel?"]]]Nevertheless, the investigation doesn't concern doctrinal issues, Grassley has said."I'm just interested in not the personality, not the preaching of these people ... [but] are the laws being followed," he said on CNN.Religious organizations are generally exempt from federal taxes, but are required to pay taxes if they engage in for-profit businesses.Kenneth Behr, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), says Grassley is being very careful in his inquiry, not going into doctrinal issues and whether the prosperity churches are doctrinally sound.Behr, who has dubbed the probe "The Grassley Six," says the government has the right to be able to look into churches and their financial records and that they are all held to the same standard as other nonprofit groups.None of the ministries under investigation are listed under the ECFA, which is comprised of more than 2,000 evangelical Christian organizations, including such major nonprofits as World Vision.Other ministries targeted by the Senate investigation are led by Randy and Paula White of Florida, Benny Hinn, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Texas, and David and Joyce Meyer of Missouri.Some argue that the ministers have built media empires, operating their ministries as corporations. Dollar's ministries, for example, include international TV broadcasts, Arrow Records, publishing, home-schooling program, entrepreneurship classes, fitness classes and SAT preparation classes among others. And his next book, 8 Steps to Create the Life You Want: The Anatomy of a Successful Life, is due out in January."They are taking market principles, setting themselves up as corporations, and yet they don't want to be taxed – they don't want to have accountability," said Fredrick Harris, a professor of political science at Columbia University, according to the LA Times. "They are blurring the line between profit and nonprofit."Still, Behr doesn't think it's necessary to update current tax laws to require stricter rules and transparency on how donations to churches are spent."There are tremendous supporters for religious liberty in churches," he said. "You have to be very careful about the rules you place in particular organizations, especially churches."PS:While I was reading this article I was like,yep,yep,yep...till I got to the aprt that I marked between red brackets....and that's where I started getting sick in the stomach...I think of the missionaries our church supports,I think about believers persecuted all over the globe that have lost absolutely everything for just being a christian,I think about my best friend in Central America,being a missionary and the trials they go thru because of that....And to be totally honest with you i don't see the need for a preacher to have a Rolls Royce or a Bentley or a Private jet or a 2 million dollars apartment in Manhattan.....I DONT SEE IT!!!!
The problem is not the people of Dollar's(by the way .....what a last name....!!!!!!)church giving him hte Rolls Royce.....IT"S HIM AND HIS WIFE "ACCEPTING IT>>>>>>>!!!!!!!!!!!!!What is wrong with people????They have elevated pastors to almost a "god' status and they alvish them with "offerings' the same way like pagans did and do....
When you have a fellow like Dollar(sorry i can't call him Rev or Doctor or whatever his title right now cause Im upset....)saying things like:JUST BECAUSE ITS EXCESIVE IT DOESNT MEAN IT IS WRONG........I suddenly feel sick in the stomach......69 million dollars last year......I hope they are using that money well....But to be honest with you I DOUBT IT.....
Yes Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary to pay a debt we couldn't pay and to give us peace....BUT these people TWIST THE WORD TO FIT THEIR POCKETS.....
I sincerely pray that they will be found truthful to what they declare....
Just because of all the souls that have put their trust and faith in them....-instead of in God-and almost worship them.....
This is just me...I couldn't profit out of the simplicity of people....I couldn't...I can't when I know my sister is scrambling some moneys to provide some coffee and bread for the 27 faithful people at their Church in central America that gathered this past weekend to fast,and have a vigil of prayer from Saturday to Sunday to seek God's face for their nation,for their families,for their church,etc....most of them went to their church walking many miles....Most of them go thru the day "WITHOUT" and it is not because there is something wrong in their lives and that's why they don't have GOD's blessings.....That's a doctrine straight from HELL....
Satan has found a way to present a very gullible and desirable gospel.....
May God help all this 6 being investigated and if they are doing things wrong,may the lord help them repent and turn around for good....
If they are found innocent ...GREAT!!!!!
BUT I still think that the Bible talks about being SOBER......
As in the days of Noah....
As in the days of Noah....
