Televangists Sowing Seeds of Corruption

From CBS news.

As entertaining as many Televangelists are, I am glad the Senate has decided to look into their financial matters. Chuck Grassley, ranking Republican on the Senate Financial Committee is requesting the financial records of at least 6 televangelists and their ministries. Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn are the targets.

Creflo Dollar, are you shitting me? The good Reverand Creflo A. Dollar Jr. lives in a $2.5 million apartment, a multi-million dollar house, has a private jet and a bunch of Rolls Royces.

"Remember," said Mr. Dollar, a familiar figure across the country because of his "Changing Your World" television show and best-selling books, "if you sow a seed on a good ground, you can expect a harvest."

A striking Hollywood writer couldn't make this stuff up.

According to Grassley's office, the Iowa Republican is trying to determine whether or not these ministries are improperly using their tax-exempt status as churches to shield lavish lifestyles.

Hmmm. Ya think? Recently, Hinn was asking people donated to fund his purchase of “Dove 1? a luxury aircraft to spread the Lord’s word. How does he expect to save souls flying coach?

In a statement, Benny Hinn's spokesperson, Ronn Torossian, said the ministry was in the process of determining the best course of action in response to the Senate investigation. "World Healing Center Church complies with the laws that govern church and non-profit organizations and will continue to do so," Torossian wrote.

That's what they say now, but I wonder how many "I don't recalls" will be forthcoming during the investigation. I bet they break Alberto Gonzales' record.

If any of you like PZ's blog Pharyngula, you may have read recently that Richard Roberts, son of infamous Oral Roberts, is in big trouble. Hinn, Copeland, and Dollar all sit on the board of Regents at Oral Roberts University.