Comments on: Senate Panel Probes 6 Top Televangelists

Sen. Charles Grassley Asks Ministries To Turn Over Financial Records Within One Month

[formrusmcsgt]

Posted by cfin5 at 08:01 AM : Nov 06, 2007

Your beliefs are clouding your perception. This isn''t about preventing the fleecing of the gullible. This is about abuse of tax exempt status.

[formrusmcsgt]

I have watched Hinn, Meyers (Ma Kettle), Dollar and Copeland. Hinn looks like the sleaziest of the bunch. They are soaking desperate people. On the other hand, chumps are there to be fleeced.

Posted by honestabe8 at 08:09 AM : Nov 06, 2007

As P.T. Barnum said, "There''s a sucker born every minute".....

[gkc99]

"If those people want to be deceived by those that mishandle the Word of the Lord, that is their constitutional right to do so. YOU Senator, are in the wrong"--Posted by cfin5



Bzzt! Wrong! The Constitution NEVER says we have to give favorable tax exempt status to such swindlers. Start by charging them income tax just like thee and me must pay. Then we can continue by charging "churches" property tax on all the investment properties they own.

These snake oil salesmen, right up through the Pope of Rome and the TV preachers have had a free ride too long.

[honestabe8]

I have watched Hinn, Meyers (Ma Kettle), Dollar and Copeland. Hinn looks like the sleaziest of the bunch. They are soaking desperate people. On the other hand, chumps are there to be fleeced.

[pollroller1]

Send them your money. Then when you die, you will go to heaven where the streets will be paved with gold. ha ha ha ha.

[glossypan]

The website of American Atheist says:
"MEMBERSHIP IN AMERICAN ATHEISTS
Benefits and Privileges%u2026

Your membership in American Atheists shows that you care about taking a stand for Reason, civil liberties for Atheists, and the total, absolute separation of church and state! Membership is open to all who agree with our Statement of Aims and Purposes. Joining American Atheists, though, also has it rewards! Benefits and Privileges of Membership include%u2026
(click here to apply)
Membership dues and donations to American Atheists are tax deductible."

All foundations with an educational purpose are tax exempt. These include the national and local golf and tennis organizations, chihuahua breedeers -- the whole gamut. I feel as if any organization should only be able to exempt only the funds used for charitable relief.

[cfin5]

These televangelists have been soaking people for years. This "Creflo Dollar" (snicker) is probably the one that will be the easiest to nail. "Father Hinn" and "Brother Joyce Meyers" are just as unscriptural in their calling........Now let''s see what the Constitution says.---Amendment 1 (ratified effective on December 15, 1791)....Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.----------Senator Charles Grassley, you are an example of the very problem neodems and now neocons have done to our country. Little by little, sneaky precedent here, sneaky precedent there,....You subvert our rights by unconstitutionally usurping authority that is not there for you, but rather the opposite is "clearly" stated. If those people want to be deceived by those that mishandle the Word of the Lord, that is their constitutional right to do so. YOU Senator, are in the wrong.

[skyk-2009]

When atheist organizations are under similiar scrutiny,then I''''l believe this is an honest and fair investigation...for whatever reason Senator Grassley has decided to go on the warpath.


Posted by monkfellow at 07:28 AM : Nov 06, 2007
+ report abuse

What "Atheist Organization" qualifies for this Tax Except Status? You couldn''t be using a little bigotry here to defend these Snake Oil Salesmen now would you? To my knowledge NO Atheist Organization does NOT pay taxes and the Tax Code does NOT allow for them to qualify under these provisions.

[startide-2009]

Excellent. I have a feeling they''ll peg at least one of these organizations for fraud. And I''d lay money that Grassley''s not up for election any time soon? This will either make him look like a mean anti-christian (if they all check out) or a crusader against evil. By election time, the electorate, with the attention span of a gnat, will have forgotten if he turns out to be evil... and if he suceeds in exposing fraud, he can remind people about it. Win-win for Grassley!

[thisandthat1]

FINALLY! Let''s rid the landscape of these Charlatans getting a tax-free ride while scamming people out of their life savings! Enough is enough!

[monkfellow]

When atheist organizations are under similiar scrutiny,then I''l believe this is an honest and fair investigation...for whatever reason Senator Grassley has decided to go on the warpath.

[antoniof123]

Senator Charles Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, has asked six televangelist ministries to provide, by Dec. 6th, financial statements and records for an investigation into possible impropriety. (AP)

Doesn''t he know that a Republican doesn''t do that or at least they haven''t for the last what 12 years. Now that the Democrats are in charge they start to take responsibility. Hey buddy let me explain how it works first you prove yourself then we talk.

Besides you will probably find out that they were donating to the GOP and working with them. They are the religious right wing remember.