Senate member seeks financial records of Atlanta megachurches

The gospel message that links God with dollars has been called to judgment before a powerful U.S. senator.

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) sent letters requesting detailed financial documents to two metro Atlanta preachers and four other ministries nationwide whose leaders are known for opulent, or as the ministers would say, blessed, lifestyles.


Grassley is the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee and has developed a reputation for demanding financial transparency from non-profits.

He wants to know how much Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia and the Rev. Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International in College Park make, how their church-issued credit cards are managed and how many cars, planes and foreign bank accounts they own. He has asked for information on the ministries' boards, business relationships and associated organizations.

"I'm following up on complaints from the public and news coverage regarding certain practices at six ministries," Grassley said in a press release.

The other ministers are the Rev. Benny Hinn, based in Grapevine, Texas; David and Joyce Meyer, Fenton, Mo.; Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Newark, Texas, and Randy and Paula White, Tampa, Fla. All are well known in the evangelical religious broadcasting world. They are also known for preaching that financial blessings are part of Christian life.

"The allegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowance and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces," Grassley said.

"I don't want to conclude that there's a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code."

A spokesman for Long said that he intends to comply fully with Grassley's request.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/11/06/preachers_1106.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

Now I KNOW I need to move back to Iowa!!

seriously, how many people does this affect? Is this really worth the Senate's time? If a bunch of gullible dumbass Jesus-bots want to send their money to charlatans, the only entities it really hurts are Wal-Mart and NASCAR.

Why would a GOPper investigate megachurches?
Why not go straight to the top and impeach Bush, if you are looking for illegalities and abuse of the public's trust?

Something about the beam in one's eye comes to mind here...

stop enabling the most corrupt administration EVER, before he goes after anyone else.

Although I'm rather suspicious of Grassley's ulterior motive, I'm glad that someone, *anyone* is attempting to chase the money-lenders out of the temple...

somehow they all got publisher mistakes... :shrug:

My book has the Book of Matthew, what with all that stuff about the moneleynders and hypocrites and praying in closets, not in public? :shrug:

to the Honorable Senator Grassley and his Republican flock???

He tries to distance himself. Not sure if he's a sleazeball or not, but that guy creeps me out.

He did recently release a book that seems to sell well, so at least he's providing product to his flock. Tries to position himself as a self-help guru. The other guys just beg for handouts.

I'd love to see someone peer into Dobson's finances. He's someone who's private life we don't hear much about. And I'd love to be able to flip past a TV channel without seeing that goofball Osteen.

The only TV preacher I ever liked was the late Dr. Gene Scott. At least he acknowledged that he was a corrupt sleazeball. And he was damn entertaining.