U.S Government auditing Mega-Protestant-Ministries

[dprewett]

The IRS seems very interested in these ministries

1. Is this exceptable
2. How will this effect all other churches in the future
3. Is this the beginning of the Gov. getting their greedy hands on church donations just to spend the money on anti-christian organizations such as planned parenthood?

Just interested in where this will go.

 

[ibkc]

Can you provide a link? To me, it depends on who they are auditing. I have no problem with the IRS investigating the so-called “Prosperity Gospel” megachurches because their very mission seems more business than religion.

 

[Enoch]

My Senator, Charles Grassley, is at the forefront of this effort. It’s mostly focused on the spending habits and lifestyles of the owners of six mega-churches.

The six mega-churches identified as being under investigation are led by: Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn. Three of the six - Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar - also sit on the Board of Regents for the Oral Roberts University.

iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=D6EFD53455AB370754629789EE2248B7?diaryId=2082

cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/06/cbsnews_investigates/main3456977.shtml

 

[khutcheson]

Can you provide a link? To me, it depends on who they are auditing. I have no problem with the IRS investigating the so-called “Prosperity Gospel” megachurches because their very mission seems more business than religion.

I think this was Senator Grassley’s project and he was investigating 6 televangelists. The investigation may well have been spurred on by Protestant ministry watchdog group that has been complaining about televangelist abuses for years (Trinity Foundation).

I don’t think this is interference in religion so much as investigating abuse of charitable contributions.

 

[ibkc]

I think this was Senator Grassley’s project and he was investigating 6 televangelists. The investigation may well have been spurred on by Protestant ministry watchdog group that has been complaining about televangelist abuses for years (Trinity Foundation).

I don’t think this is interference in religion so much as investigating abuse of charitable contributions.

Thanks for the explanation. I see that many of the televangelists on the list are “Prosperity Gospel” preachers, though, anyway.

 

[bklynbrat]

My Senator, Charles Grassley, is at the forefront of this effort. It’s mostly focused on the spending habits and lifestyles of the owners of six mega-churches.

The six mega-churches identified as being under investigation are led by: Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn. **Three of the six - Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar - also sit on the Board of Regents for the Oral Roberts University. **
iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=D6EFD53455AB370754629789EE2248B7?diaryId=2082

cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/06/cbsnews_investigates/main3456977.shtml

Do they still? I should know this b/c I live in Tulsa but when news about them come on I just kind of tune them out.

I do know there was a major overhaul at ORU. The owner of Mardels (Christian bookstore chain) & I believe he owns Hobby Lobby too, just donated 70 million to the school & got rid of most of the Board.
Richard Roberts stepped down too. Or maybe he got the boot too.

 

[Enoch]

Do they still? I should know this b/c I live in Tulsa but when news about them come on I just kind of tune them out.

I do know there was a major overhaul at ORU. The owner of Mardels (Christian bookstore chain) & I believe he owns Hobby Lobby too, just donated 70 million to the school & got rid of most of the Board.
Richard Roberts stepped down too. Or maybe he got the boot too.

The article from CBS was from November 2007, so things may have changed. To be honest, I don’t concern myself with these people too much either. I only know about it because I’m a big fan of Senator Grassley.

 

[1ke]

The IRS seems very interested in these ministries

1. Is this exceptable
2. How will this effect all other churches in the future
3. Is this the beginning of the Gov. getting their greedy hands on church donations just to spend the money on anti-christian organizations such as planned parenthood?

Just interested in where this will go.

The IRS has the authority to audit any entity claiming tax-exempt status to ensure they meet the IRS guidelines for a 501 (c)(3). They do this regularly. If they meet the guidelines, they have nothing to worry about. If they don’t, they will owe taxes.