"Without Walls" church under investigation by Senate committee

They have churches in the Tampa and Lakeland areas, very large congregations. A couple of months ago Randy and Paula White, the pastors, announced they were divorcing. Some wondered what was going on then.


Picture courtesy of Pushing Rope blog

From Pushing Rope:

Without Walls Under Investigation



More on this topic.

Feds investigate Tampa's Without Walls church


From left, Paula White, Bishop T.D. Jakes and Randy White. The investigation seeks information on a Bentley the Whites gave to Jakes. (Times file photos)



This is one of those "about time" things. However I know many people who attend there. They have done a lot of good things, but there have to be rules and laws. It will be hurtful to many, just like the Bakker scandal years ago.

From the link...others being investigated.



Not familiar with some of the others, but it is a relief to see Benny Hinn being investigated.

A big scandal. This is the First Baptist Church at the Mall, with thousands of members. It really is the whole mall, where Wards and other stores used to be.

Church volunteer accused of sexually abusing boys remains in jail



He also is suspected of abuse in Alabama after he attended a bible college here. Then he returned here.

Youth Minister Arrested on Sex Charges



Ironically and sadly this is the church that worked with the Catholic church to get laws passed to hurt the rights of the gay community. We attended rallies in support of that community in front of their church, as did many others in our DFA and DEC. I felt a little like a traitor to my Southern Baptist church that used to be...but long gone. Yet, they called us unpatriotic for not supporting the Iraq invasion. So not too much sympathy for them after all.

works in mysterious ways...

how they grind slowly.

I have known some of these users. They use the name of Jesus as nothing more than a tool to get rich. Paul and Jan Crouch of TBN fame have threatened people. Is that Christian? They have prayed for people to die. Is that Christian? They are as cynical as the day is long. They do not truly believe in heaven or hell. If they did they would know exactly where they are going and would not lead the lives that they do. :dem:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/novemberweb-only/145-22.0.html

"Recent articles and news reports regarding possible misuse of donations made to religious organizations have caused some concern for the Finance Committee," Grassley wrote to the ministries in letters asking for detailed financial records.

None of the ministries targeted—those led by Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Eddie Long, Joyce Meyer, and Randy and Paula White—are required to file the financial disclosure Form 990 with the IRS because they are are designated as churches.

Grassley "is not just asking them to come in and talk, he is asking them for everything," Kenneth Behr, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, told The Tampa Tribune, which in May ran a lengthy investigative report on the Whites' Without Walls church and its finances.

The ministries have until December 6 to submit audited financial statements, compensation reports, records for ministry jet travel, and other documents. The Tampa Tribune has posted the letters to each ministry."

"No word yet on whether the Democrats will join him."

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_fundamentalist_110707

Republican Minority Opens Investigation of Prosperity Televangelists

"Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, has opened an investigation into the finances of six of the leading prosperity televangelists, Paula White, Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer, Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn. Grassley is looking into whether these celebrity preachers abused their tax-exempt status by using proceeds to enrich themselves with luxury items like mansions, private jets, and fancy cars. Three of the targeted evangelists (Dollar, Copeland, and Hinn) sit on the Oral Roberts University Board of Regents, which is supposed to be investigating similar charges of financial mismanagement and other abuses there. (John Hagee, whose own use of church funds has been documented in the Prospect, also serves on the ORU Board of Regents.)

No word yet on whether the Democrats will join him, and so far no subpoenas have been issued, just requests for financial statements. Grassley is acting on information from the Trinity Foundation, a religious fraud watchdog group in Texas whose investigations have launched many of the leading media exposes of televangelists. But none of those exposes have resulted in changes in the tax law, which shields “church” finances from public view.

All six are politically connected -- sought by candidates for implicit or explicit endorsements and mobilizing the shock troops on issues like abortion, homosexuality, Middle East policy, or the separation of church and state. (You can read much more about all of this, and in particular about Copeland, Long, and Hinn, in God’s Profits.) There already have been cries of protest of this government “intrusion,” so stay tuned for how all of this will play out."

Nothing trumps famous rich kids getting in trouble, though.

when Redner was running for something.

Gave him a chance to give his campaign speech.

http://sptimes.com/2006/07/17/Tampabay/Strip_club_king_goes_.shtml

Hubby was at a Dem function in Plant City last year, and Redner was in the hallway not welcomed in. He stopped and talked to him, and Redner was shocked that someone stopped.

But he was welcome in Randy White's church, so I give him credit for that.

they should be called lying for dollars. I have yet to hear the truth from a Republican or a preacher. That is why they are so compatible$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Have some discretion with your little hatefest. I'm going to spend this weekend with members of my church working with a local food bank. Republicans are invited, but we're not expecting any. You can come too, if you're not too busy sitting on your hateful ass.