Hard Questions For "Prosperity Gospel"

A Televangelist Lives In The Lap Of Luxury -- But Now He's Under Investigation

(CBS)  Last November, Sen. Charles Grassley launched a public investigation into the ministries of six top televangelists who attract thousands of followers and collect hundreds of millions of dollars around the world. Grassley is demanding financial records to determine whether these churches deserve their tax exempt status. CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian takes a hard look at one target: Kenneth Copeland, the so-called "godfather" of "prosperity gospel."

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"To live in the garden of Eden … hallelujah!" Copeland says. "Somebody shout 'amen!'"

In one TV sermon after another, Kenneth Copeland and wife, Gloria, implore viewers to sow the seeds of their faith by following God's word - and donating dollars, promising a 100-fold return in happiness and wealth, Keteyian reports.

Even the check envelope says "I am sowing $_____ and believing for a hundredfold return."

"It's a business, it's a bottom-line business," said a former ministry employee - who feared being identified. The employee answered hundreds of prayer requests a day, most sent in with donations, before quitting, feeling "betrayed" by Copeland's gospel of prosperity.

"So when he's preachin' health and wealth..." Keteyian asks.

"He's filling that bottom line on his business," the source said.

That's why Senate investigators are digging into whether ministry resources are being diverted into an array of for-profit companies tied to the Copelands: cattle, horses, aviation, real-estate development and gas and oil wells to name a few.

Michael Hoover, who worked for Kenneth Copeland Ministries for five years, quit in 2005 over disagreements with the church. He says he witnessed other employees doing work on behalf of for-profit businesses tied to the Copeland family.

"In my viewpoint, I believe that they were using a lot of the ministry's assets for personal businesses," he said.

"The nonprofit activity and the for-profit activity are so intertwined that you can't, you can't separate them," said Ole Anthony of the Trinity Foundation.

A two-month CBS News investigation, including interviews with nearly a dozen former Copeland employees, raises serious questions about the Copeland's religious empire.

Beginning with a lavish lakefront home, all 18,000 square feet of it, and a fleet of private planes - all paid for by the ministry.

At a celebration, Copeland said: "The Lord spoke to me and said 'you're gonna believe for a Citation 10, right now.'"

Copeland got what he wanted - that's the $20 million jet right there parked at the ministry-owned airport. It's one of four private planes owned by the church.

"It will never ever be used as for anything other than what is becoming of you Lord Jesus," he said.

But that's not what happened.

CBS News has learned he used one ministry jet and another to fly to and from Colorado three times in 2007 - the site of frequent Copeland family vacations. The ministry now claims they reimburse the ministry for personal use of the jets.

Copeland has said: "You are not created for poverty."

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Learn more about Copeland and televangelist funding over at Primary Source.
Read "The Road To Prosperity" by Armen Keteyian

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Churches are not required to file tax forms - or make their finances public. The ministry, which says it does everything by the book, has refused to answer key questions about its finances raised by Senate investigators.

"We answered them - we gave them a several-page lesson on …" Copeland said.

Kenneth Copeland refused repeated interview requests by CBS News.

When Keteyian went to ministry headquarters near Ft. Worth, Texas, we were turned away.

"There's no way I can see him right now?" Keteyian asked a security guard before being turned away.

If Grassley doesn't get the answers he wants, he may well resort to some words of his own - in the form of a Senate subpoena.

[rarmac]

Not one of your dissenting voices offered any proof of wrongdoing by KCM, just, "I believe..." from former employees, probably disgruntled because of a disagreement with the ministry. Why not report the other side of the coin: those blessed by the ministry and how much money KCM has GIVEN? And maybe Sen. Grassley''s financial affairs should be investigated, too. Isn''t the proper procedure for investigation to have the IRS do an audit?

[marlon747]

Unfortunately, there is Scripture that talks about paying the way for ministry so they can minister and that has to do with the Levites of the Old Testament. Since, their number one job was to take care of the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant, they had no heritage and relied on the other tribes to provide them with food and monetary needs. However, Kenneth is taking full advantage of it if he is not paying taxes on his other businesses. I''m sorry, if people are stupid enough to send a man money, then I don''t feel sorry for them, because the Bible also says not to trust a man, but put your faith in the Lord. They should have never had faith in Kenneth. Along those lines, it is nobody''s business what he is doing with the money as long as it is for church purposes. The ''tithing'' money is actually his to do whatever he wants with it and that is nobody''s business, as well, to a certain degree. If he''s doing wrong, using the Lord for false pretenses, the Lord will bring to light what he has done and it looks like that is being taken care of.

[danibrittjr]

never heard of jesus riding around in a private jet. If they are truely christian then they should not have a problem telling people what happens to the money that is donated. Sounds like quite a racket, maybe i should become a preacher so i don''t have to pay taxes and i can lie to people and take their money. On the other hand i''m not dishonest enough and i''m not even christian. Why is it that so many "Christians" are liars and theives? It''s disgusting.

[sade1231]

I am not an attendee of copeland or his religious organization ( and probably will never be -his style of preaching is not for me thats all). However, I am smart enough to know that CBS did such a LAME and lousy job on this story in presenting the facts. All they did was assumptions, no documents, no proof of what was spent from the church and what was spent out his business? They got these fly by nights whistle blowers, who "assumed" he was doing something with the money. But no facts! and like fools some people fall for it. Not me! Where was the balance? I smell a rat? and its CBS and who ever else is behind this story! I smell hatred and jealousy, personal beef with these people, nothing else.

[sade1231]

CBS fail to mention copeland was a huge millionaire in the cattle industry in the 80, 90''s before he was a man in cloth (preacher). Also they did not provide a acutally report of how much money was spent from his million dollar business verses his religious organization. This was poorly put together story, in hopes to destroy or attack someone who teaches economic empowerment. So what he has three planes, can you provide a financial report proving he purchases these planes with his business money or church money? if he is riding three planes how does CBS knows he was using the church plane instead his business plane? CBS needs to do better! This is why I watch Brian Williams NBC, they give a more balanced story line as well as give the others a chance to give their reports before airing the story.

[sade1231]

It is amazing to me that ONE senator and Ole Anthony ( a jealous jock by nature) has time to be worried about 6 to 15 religious ministers, when half of congress and the senate are under fire for mismangement of funds for katrina victims, the war, and under the table dirty politics, etc. CBS can take this story and put it where it belongs in the trash! We are in a middle of a war, and crisis in this country and yet Senator Grassley and Ole Anthony ( a religious bigot) has time and a nerve to investigate 15 ministers (whom I have seen at least three of them give to the poor in my country africa, and hatti, and the USA,) when those around him in office needs to be investigated themselves? please spare me. I am waiting when the tables turn on this senator, when they investigate him? I''m just waiting.

[sade1231]

Jesus couldn''t ride out in jets becase there weren''t any invented duh!!!!! You know for the folks who don''t go to church, or not a christian or a religious person, attend mass then shut up. what do you know? besides what someone told you? hald this smuck is trash. we need to be asking questions on why CBS has connected with ole anthony ( a well know bigot, and someone who plays dirty politics under the table with congress and senators) to get their story line? This story was so lame. where was was the facts. No wonder CBS news has low ratings. who cares, he has plane so does donald trump, can we expose these dirty politicians please, and leave God''s business to God.

[mksells]

Why don''t you (CBS and Senator Grassley) put your investigative efforts towards something that really affects the entire country (LIKE THE OUT OF CONTROL FUEL PRICES!! Every person in this country who pays for fuel has the "perverbial gun" held to his & her head by the oil companies - and has NO CHOICE but to pay their prices (I don''t see anyone making a fuss about that). Instead people (who don''t have to donate a penny to any ministry - AND HAVE THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE NOT TO DONATE) - are sticking their noses where they don''t belong.

If I choose to donate my money to any ministry - that''s my business - not yours.

If you want to make yourselves useful and serve a meaningful purpose - then go after and expose the crooks selling us oil - and leave the ministries that are helping millions of people around the world alone!

[truth2tell]

I too have worked at one of these "prosperity" churches. The lavishness and vanity of the leaders is sickening. The members tithes pay for these extravagant lifestyles. All with the promise that they too will prosper from their gift giving.
Nothing wrong with being rich, but not at the expense of self promoting church "owners".

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/100608

[truth2tell]

I too have worked at one of these "prosperity" churches. The lavishness and vanity of the leaders is sickening. The members tithes pay for these extravagant lifestyles. All with the promise that they too will prosper from their gift giving.
Nothing wrong with being rich, but not at the expense of self promoting church "owners".

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/100608

[okbrita]

Wow! This is news to me! Talk about lying... I am a former KCM employee and I am aware of their PRIVATE dealings. How is this different from someone like Mayor Bloomberg and all his companies and profit?! If I worked for a company and used my earnings to invest in real estate or something are you - the news media - going to come and investigate me? The facts remain that people are people and we all sin weather we know to be sin or not. So IF there has been some discrepencies in the ministry and/or their private life I''m glad you all are focusing your time, money and efforts on him. Yes, darling that was sarcastic. And by the way I am a "Chrisitian" put I don''t fall in the same category that danibrittjr in has put all Christians in. Talk about maturity and intelligence! I sure do LOVE you!

[truth2tell]

I too have worked at one of these "prosperity" churches. The lavishness and vanity of the leaders is sickening. The members tithes pay for these extravagant lifestyles. All with the promise that they too will prosper from their gift giving.
Nothing wrong with being rich, but not at the expense of self promoting church "owners".

www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/100608

[truth2tell]

I too have worked at one of these "prosperity" churches. The lavishness and vanity of the leaders is sickening. The members tithes pay for these extravagant lifestyles. All with the promise that they too will prosper from their gift giving.
Nothing wrong with being rich, but not for the benefit of self promoting church "owners".

[truth2tell]

I too have worked at one of these "prosperity" churches. The lavishness and vanity of the leaders is sickening. The members tithes pay for these extravagant lifestyles. All with the promise that they too will prosper from their gift giving.
Nothing wrong with being rich, but not for the benefit of self promoting church "owners".

www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/100608

[bm6005]

Personally I don''t give a rats a ss if you fools turn over your entire paycheck to these thieves. What I do care about is the fact that many of these ministers get away without paying taxes. If it''s FOR PROFIT then I expect these ministers to PAY THEIR TAXES. Same thing goes for multi-millionaires!!

[bluecat1208]

I am not at all surprised by this report. I have long held that televangelists had a personal interest in the moneies collected. I left a church several years ago that I thought was doing the same as Rev Copeland and many of his contemporaries. I was not disgruntled I was dissapointed. To those of you who brought up his prior businesses I ask; Why didn''t he provide that information himself?
Well that''s all folks.

[bluecat1208]

I am not at all surprised by this report. I have long held that televangelists had a personal interest in the moneies collected. I left a church several years ago that I thought was doing the same as Rev Copeland and many of his contemporaries. I was not disgruntled I was dissapointed. To those of you who brought up his prior businesses I ask; Why didn''t he provide that information himself?
Well that''s all folks.

[bluecat1208]

I am not at all surprised by this report. I have long held that televangelists had a personal interest in the moneies collected. I left a church several years ago that I thought was doing the same as Rev Copeland and many of his contemporaries. I was not disgruntled I was dissapointed. To those of you who brought up his prior businesses I ask; Why didn''t he provide that information himself?
Well that''s all folks.

[bluecat1208]

I am not at all surprised by this report. I have long held that televangelists had a personal interest in the moneies collected. I left a church several years ago that I thought was doing the same as Rev Copeland and many of his contemporaries. I was not disgruntled I was dissapointed. To those of you who brought up his prior businesses I ask; Why didn''t he provide that information himself?
Well that''s all folks.

[bluecat1208]

I am not at all surprised by this report. I have long held that televangelists had a personal interest in the moneies collected. I left a church several years ago that I thought was doing the same as Rev Copeland and many of his contemporaries. I was not disgruntled I was dissapointed. To those of you who brought up his prior businesses I ask; Why didn''t he provide that information himself?
Well that''s all folks.

[bluecat1208]

I am not at all surprised by this report. I have long held that televangelists had a personal interest in the moneies collected. I left a church several years ago that I thought was doing the same as Rev Copeland and many of his contemporaries. I was not disgruntled I was dissapointed. To those of you who brought up his prior businesses I ask; Why didn''t he provide that information himself?
Well that''s all folks.

All those evangelists are just in it for the money. I too have always said they were. Look under the information of the channel you watch them and it says
paid infomercial.Come on, like Joel Obsteen. He is a multi millionaire.

[sade1231]

Truth 2 Tell,
put a sock in it. No offense. As long as there life style is biblical, and as long as they are giving back to those that are in need, then who cares. I fault CBS for giving the public a lame story and insulted the public with this *** they call a story. Donald Trump, bill gates, The terminator governor of California ( who can''t even speak English), these high profile congressmen, including senator Grassley lives lavishly and I sure as hell don''t see them being investigated, or questioned why they have five planes and businesses, and a big house???? so why are they doing it with religious leaders who happened to have successful businesses and can prove they are not making profits off of the church members and the poor? Personally I am not going to any church, if the preacher is not living what the bible already says. I refuse to go to a church and they are not teaching business principals and economic empowerment. if I am poor and the preacher is poor, then how the hell are they going to be any encouragement to me?

[sade1231]

part 2: I know some of these ministers were business owners and millionaires way before they were preachers. READ the reports, i.e. Eddie Long, SBA states: Eddie long, the highest paid VP marketing at FORD motor company, Wells Fargo, and Honeywell. He has several successful businesses, before he gave it all up to be a preacher. Personally I think that is brave, because me personally, I would not give up a million dollar salary to preach to people who don%u2019t give a ***. Now that takes courage and passion what he did. Since he as become a preacher, has gave over one million dollars in aid funded to Africa, hatti, Israel peace missions, He is building education programs and shelters for HIV/Aids victims, homelessness, drop out high school teens, single parents, teenage parents, he is fighting to get health care for veterans and senior citizens. He has business schools, to help those who want to accomplish their dreams, this man rap sheet is impressive to me. His work speaks for it self. he has several business now, a book company, a music company, investing company, a property company, with his own money, and he has shown this in his report to this silly senator. I would sue this senator, and Ole Anthony who is behind this ordeal of deformation of character. Who cares where they live , and what they drive, as long as they give back, and received their goods honestly then, what%u2019s the problem?

[sade1231]

To bm6005

Look, don''t be a dumb ***! THINK! they do pay taxes.... its called IRS tax 80, it was shown in another TV report who is exposing this senator Grassley person under handed deeds. They reported, the .. IRS audits these religious people yearly. Also half of these ministers have been invited to the white house to give advice, to give a strategic plan to help this country out of war, debt, etc, and give advice to this man who you all call a president. now I was a intern at the white house before, and before you go to the white house, you have to go through heavy back ground check. hmm I smell a dirty rat in this senator who is requesting this paperwork, He is not making sense, If he say he works with the IRS, then why the hell do you need to get there financial info from them? He should have this info already on file with the IRS, why hasn%u2019t he gone to the IRS or white house files and check their records? They are on file! all he had to do was pull their files.

[sade1231]

part 2 : This senator, and CBS are doing a good job of fooling smocks like you with half info. Just stop and think. As big as theses religious people are, how is it that the IRS has not shut them down? how is it that congress just sent a letter saying to the public we have no problem with these religious leaders records, they are complying with rules and policies for last 10 years. Its is only senator Grassley requesting this information. So where is senator Grassley now? somewhere hiding! These politicians are as dirty as the dirt itself, they will go any distance to attack someone who does not agree with their so called politics. by the way stop calling people you don''t know thieves. I''m wondering what the hell are you, since you so quick to cast the first stone of judgment at them.

[sade1231]

who cares, stop judging these people, unless you know the facts. I hope they sue the pants off CBS. Now I am not a religious person. But how they hell you all knowhis man is guilty of this???? with out the facts. These are assumptions. Stop being dumb and find out the facts, before you start accusing people.
This article does not add up. You mean to tell me Rev copeland is doing all this , and the IRS has not shut him down? Please come on now. the IRS would have been shut him down long time ago. CBS is full of it and senator grassley.

[miracleone1]

I believe that KCM is only doing good things!
"And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nothing; But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest perhaps ye be found even to fight against God."

[mufuart]

I''m a bornagain Christian and I think that any Christian ministry must be 100% transparent in everything they do. Any refusal to meet with "so and so" only harms the cause of Christ. I say, investigate, investigate, for no one is above the law.

[mufuart]

As a bornagain Christian, I totally agree with the investigation, but I don''t think it''s necessary for CBS News to show its lack or class by using such an unflattering photo of Copeland to head its article.

[old5hita55]

There is no flattering picture of Kenneth Copeland - he is a Simon and a charlatan - period.

[mitywhity]

who cares, stop judging these people, unless you know the facts. I hope they sue the pants off CBS. Now I am not a religious person. But how they hell you all knowhis man is guilty of this???? with out the facts. These are assumptions. Stop being dumb and find out the facts, before you start accusing people.
This article does not add up. You mean to tell me Rev copeland is doing all this , and the IRS has not shut him down? Please come on now. the IRS would have been shut him down long time ago. CBS is full of it and senator grassley.


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Posted by SaDe1231 ..........................................................Have you ever heard of cooking the books? These charlatans threaten the existence of the entire church as we know it. They need to be brought down.

[banjo20072]

Gotta love the "scared to show his identity" - what are the Copelands, the mafia? Love the cloak and disguised voice. Too funny.

Nothing more than excellent tabloid news reporting. Next they will have a CBS exclusive on ''Woman gives birth to dog, see it here first on CBS"

[banjo20072]

Also went to the Copeland website (www.kcm.org) and I found a posting that they already sent whatever Grassley wanted to his office on December 6th - so this news report is about 3 months too late.

[clearview8]

This nation was founded upon a quest for religious freedom. Separation of church and state has been ingrained into governance by the founding fathers to ensure that the church does not control the government (as was the case in western europe in the middle ages) and to ensure that the government does not control the freedom of worship (what ever you worship). I am a bornagain christian who supports the copeland ministry financially and prayerfully,and my bible tells me to minister (give) worldly things to those who minister to me spiritual things(Rom 15:27), also there were women who taveled with Jesus and took care of his needs with their wealth(Luke 8:3), Finally the priests(Levites) who served in the old testerment temple were mandated not to work but live off the offerings from the other tribes in Israel(Deut.18:1, 2 Chronicles 30:22). I therefore see this ivestigation as censureship of religious practice. Every high performing CEO gets big bonuses enough to buy several jets ( even the bad perfoming ones e.g countrywide), how ever you pick on an upstanding preacher of the gospel , who has been at it for 40 years in this country and was a pilot and has flown planes since he started, because he is blessed like faithfull Abraham just as he preaches (Galatians 3:9-14). May you not destroy the foundation of this great nation.

[bm6005]

Sorry SaDe but they don''t F*Kn pay taxes on their RELIGIOUS business. Only what they may admit to as a separate outside business. I remember when I was young, a hillbilly minister was wearing $300 suits and driving a cadillac when regular suits cost a $100 and his parishoners were all driving ''49 fords!! It''s a scam, ALL religion sucks and you''re the dumb a ss!! So out of 50,000 ministers in the country you''re saying that 25,000 of them have given the WH advice? What kind of advice has anyone followed to get us out of war, the debt,etc. I guess I can believe that as F*k''d up as our country has become!

[sade1231]

Go to hell man. READ A IRS TAX BOOK. I am not religious and don''t want to be. but I do know for a fact that they do get audited by the IRS, because I work for the IRS. so Don''t tell me. I just did their audits ...*******!

[bm6005]

I said pay taxes not get audited "dumba ss"!!

[sade1231]

Also CBS failed to mention that these same religious leaders were millionaires before they became preachers. Also, they have several successful businesses. NOW that they are ministers, they also have successful businesses which are separate from their churches and religious meetings or churches. This is federal facts. Not assumptions. I think you all need to watch NBC to hear the whole story. So for all you who are making a fool of yourselves by responding on half information, keep quiet until you know all the details, which CBS has NOT given.

[sade1231]

bm6005 if you think I am going to back and forth with you, then I think you might as well go play in traffic..


pay taxes and tax non profit audits is the same thing, stop being but-hole and think for a change please. I hope you owe the government in taxes this year, I hope it comes across my desk, Please give me that honor. I will be the first one to sign off on possible IRS fine with no chases and no mercy. I will just save your IP address and any info to the database government drive. So **** me off. You are busy thinking I am defending someone tactics when you have not even looked at reality and facts. facts has proven this report by CBS is lame, so last year, too late, and too short on info.

[bm6005]

This c rap has been going on for years. This is not anything new nor is it half baked info. Many of these religious leaders such as , Jim and Tammy Faye Baker were living high on the hog while their religious theme park was stealing money from shareholders. Remember their air conditioned dog house? There are just too many instances to call up right now but this preying on the faithful is just not christian at all. Are you saying Joel Olsteen was a millionaire in a previous life? BS, he''s still wet behind the ears. How about the guy with his "magic spring water"? Another *** fraud. Give me a break!!

[bm6005]

I welcome your threat SaDe!! Cousin Guido has been looking for a new playmate.

[sade1231]

another thing to bm6005 read, please do america a favor and read. there is no excuse for hatred or your unjust attitude toward these relgious people. thousands I do mean thousands of religious leaders have given ( I have been in the meetings and have federal documenatations) the president strategic advice on Education ( no child left behind - which seems not to be working since we had 38 percent of high school seniors didnot graduate from high school in the USA 2006-2007, that is highest in the history of education-, advice on war departures and possible withdrawl quickly, wars starts rumors of wars and its costly, verterns and troop-family funding ( troops and verterns are struggling to survive because of no funding to assist them or their families) health insurance for middle class, and poor, urban and inner city community funding, etc... but noooooooo your Bush administration ( no offense) did not want to listen. Rev, TD Jakes, Eddie Long, creflo Dollar, has been to the white house numerous of times to sit down with the president to give he and his administration hard core facts and truth about the communities his administration seems to be over looking also funding in, africa, hatti, israel, funding for hurricane katrina, wilma, victims, etc. however, the committee ignored them, so therefore they resigned as being religious advisors. this was all in NYC, times magazine, USA today, washington post.

[sade1231]

6m whatever your name is...don''t **** me off please, for your sake. You don''t even want this challenge. Because your but is already broke, not put more issues on yourself because you are headed for insulting a federal agent. And the only person who will be jail, will be you. I bet my job on it and my career. SO don''t go there. The law always wins buddy! I am trying to ignore your ignorant A**. and trying my best to talk to you like you have an ounce of maturity. I tell you want the kids section of this website is a click away. go join them. This is for the grown and mature adults. No one is defending anyone, but the facts. Facts and federal documents speaks for themselves.

wait so You are judging them based on Jim baker and tammy Faye? what the hell? these people are not them, and that is not fair for you cast them in the same bad apple basket when federal documents proves there innocent.

[sade1231]

I said all this to say, truth will always rise up, even when people try to cover it up, and with these new documents waiting to be revealed, I''m just waiting when all this will back fire on senator grssely, and ole Anthony. Sure there are a few bad apples in the religious bunch, thats in every community, but they better be careful of not making the misatke of going after the good ones, and putting them in the basket with the bad apples, for their own gain and pleasue. I am waiting for Senator grassley and his office to be investigated, I''m waiting for the investigation of these dirty politicans I would like to expose, which I have the paper work on, who is taking our tax dollars and going on three month vacations, who are buying the city of new orleans instead buying people homes, and spending our money on a super dome instead of people who are still in trailers dying everyday because of no medical care or mental despression, I want to expose these congress men and women, who live filthy rich based on tax dollars collected from poor neighboorhoods. if we are going to expose lets start with the man who is first throwing the stone, senator grassley.

[sade1231]

well I tried to bring most of the facts on here, hey its up to you all to make a sound just, fair judgement. people are so quick to believe in half truth in this country its ridiculous. Go after the facts, that way each of you can make a just and sound decision, not a judgemental one.

[ppas2004]

This is lunacy. It is clear that this is all for personal gain. Therefore this man and his family should be taxed. I am not a fan of grassley, but I think these charlatans need to pay taxes. Plz pardon my misspellings.

[brianbwb-2009]

"...because you are headed for insulting a federal agent." Posted by SaDe1231

Nothing illegal about that, in fact the right to do so is guaranteed under the constitution. Besides, a lot of those corrupt, drug running, Mob friendly toilet scum could use a bit more than an insult...

Back to the subject, in the 50s and 60s there was a "Black" preacher, named Rev. Ike, who preached the same gospel of riches, sold "free" prayer cloths, personally "blessed" by him, for $1.

He was a wealthy man, it seems that hope sells, or else the lotteries and numbers rackets as well as Las Vegas wouldn''t be as successful as they are.

If suckers want to pay for hope, let them, but the sellers of it should not enjoy tax free status, just because they sell it in the name of religion.

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by SaDe1231

In fact, the more I read of your posts, it seems that you are the one treading on dangerous ground.

If you are indeed an IRS official, making threats to use the authority of a government agency against citizens simply because you disagree with their political views is corruption, and since your threats are now on record, you may very well be the one landing in hot water.

Conversely, if you are not really an agent of a federal institution, you can be in hot water for impersonating one.

If you have the IP of the person to whom you make this threat, then you may be in violation of various privacy acts, as no IP addresses are given here, you would have to engage in illegal hacking to obtain it.

[skyk-2009]

It''s time we brought this all to an end. Any group, church or not, that does NOT use money for the purpose we, the taxpayers, intended should be taxed. The purpose of these exclusions was CHARITABLE. The law says that and unless the dictionary has been changed the meaning of that word does NOT enclude TV Stations, Broadcast Empires, Car''s, Boats, or any of the rest. It means they give the money to those who NEED it. I hardly think this person, Pat Robertson or any of the rest of these crooks are giving that money to anyone in need. IT''s a rip off and I''m tired of it!!