Yeah, those televangelists make tons of money, don't they? Religion is big business.

The GOP is punishing one of their own for investigating these holier-than-thou scumbags.

Evangelical Christians in Iowa, dominant in the state's Republican Party, have denied Sen. Charles E. Grassley his request for a place on the state's delegation to this summer's Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
Political observers in Iowa saw the move against Mr. Grassley as retribution for his having tangled with evangelical pastors in his state. He initiated a Senate Finance Committee investigation of six televangelists for conspicuous personal spending.

See, you heatherns, this just proves that the god they believe in really does want you to be rich. no matter waht it takes.

Copeland(the farting preacher) has been ripping people off for years. people send him their last dollar while he lives in a mansion.

He will rot.

the farting preacher is another one that does the same:

PASTOR TILTON. Another "prosperity" bastard.

Tilton: nono.

Copeland: not sure.

That said, in the context of America, a rich nation where a baby picture (Brangelina) can fetch millions, one should not begrudge successful televangelists becoming prosperous: because they too are stars in their own right and in their chosen/called field.

Don't you worry, though your opinion and discernment are welcome, the God they serve (or claim to serve) will one day put them to account (Romans 14:12).

Even before I read the article I knew these scammers had to be based out of Texas. Where else could they find such a large flock of stupid people who blindly believe?

I cannot speak for these millionaire televangelists as to how they got their wealth (rightly or wrongly) --- but I can say that God is not opposed to his followers getting rich. In fact, in a few years, God is planning to make many Christians millionaires so that they can do more good in the kingdom of God. And the collateral blessing is that even savvy atheists and scoffers become rich in the process.

"Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man -- living in the sky -- who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time!
But He loves you.
He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can't handle money! Religion takes in billions of dollars, they pay no taxes, and they always need a little more. Now, you talk about a good bullshit story. Holy Shit!" -- george carlin

Shawn,
I gave you grief on another thread for posting that in regards to religion.

I think Carlin's point DOES apply to people like this, however.

I don't believe God has a specific problem with Christians being wealthy. However, these megachurches and the transfer of money that goes along with them towards televangelists or whomever does give Christianity in general a bad name. I'd like to point out that for many people, and I'm speaking anecdotally, the church is not about wealth and is about trying to provide spiritual support to its members and outreach to its non-members.

The article says that Copeland's church has a private airstrip, a hanger for private planes, and a $5 million dollar "mansion" on its property -- I hardly think these things are necessary for doing God's work in any context.

God is planning to make many Christians millionaires so that they can do more good in the kingdom of God.

Unfortunately if the Bible and the preachers are wrong, you can't get your money back. What a way to make a living.

No minister should be wealthy. That's a direct opposite view to what Jesus preaches.

Reading that article reminded me of the Renaissance Popes. Enormously wealthy families cynically running powerful enterprises that derived their wealthy in part off of the backs of the poor, devout and uneducated under classes.

"God is planning to make many Christians millionaires so that they can do more good in the kingdom of God"

Jesus was really a moneychanger.
Bank of Jesus.... Open Everyday...

Pirate, I don't agree with your fatwa.

According to your opinion, Rick Warren is wrong then. How about Tim Lahe who rake in millions with the Left Behind thing?

Please do not generalise and make sweeping statements --- God is a million time wiser and broadminded than you.

A fool and his money...

These guys are just selling psychic heroin for those addicted to fantasy.

If Rick Warren teaches the prosperity gospel, then he is wrong.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

C'mon Guys....FOCUS!

First, the issue is MSNBC's promotion of a non-story, or at least an unripe story. On the issue of IRS violations, why not wait for FACTS? Have YOU ever been targeted by a government agency?

Second, a fool and his money are soon parted.....as it should be?

Jesus was really a moneychanger.
Bank of Jesus.... Open Everyday...

That would explain why he threw out the moneychangers in the temple. He didn't want competition.

Pilate... 'If'... so you are not sure.

--- but I can say that God is not opposed to his followers getting rich.
Posted by takitez

I'm not either, but I am opposed to them not paying taxes on this wealth.

No I'm not sure if Rick Warren teaches the prosperity gospel.

The prosperity gospel is antithesis to the teachings of Jesus though.

God does bless, But He warned (Thorugh HIS Son) "it is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle then a rich man to enter heaven" And "Build your treasure in Heaven and not on earth" But people are people and money is the great corruptor If they just admitted it instead of denying and lying, Most people wouldn't care. As A christian, i have never watched televangilists, But I do go to a small church. And am happy as a pig in mud just getting by

I cannot speak for these millionaire televangelists as to how they got their wealth (rightly or wrongly) --- but I can say that God is not opposed to his followers getting rich. In fact, in a few years, God is planning to make many Christians millionaires so that they can do more good in the kingdom of God. And the collateral blessing is that even savvy atheists and scoffers become rich in the process.

Posted by takitez

been meeting with god now have we?

or does god cc you on his memos? send you a BCC on some emails?

or perhaps you are full of shit

or perhaps you are full of shit

Posted by truthhurts

Are you implying that, for whatever reason, he does NOT have the untold truth and the whole secret knowledge. And he does not know all the secrets of the universe, including creation.

hmmm, very controversial, maybe we should consider it.....Na, fuck it, let's just believe the same old shit.

Obama's ex spiritual advisor Rev Wright is having a 10 million dollar home built--and he wasn't even a televangilist.

Frank Zappa - Heavenly Bank Account

And if these words you do not heed
Your pocket book just kinda might recede
When some man comes along and claims a godly need
He will clean you out right through your tweed

That's right, remember there is a big difference between
kneeling down and bending over...

He's got twenty million dollars
In his Heavenly Bank Account.. .
All from those chumps who was
Born again
Oh yeah, oh yeah
He's got seven limousines
And a private plane...
All for use of his
Special Friends
Oh yeah, oh yeah
He's got thousand-dollar suits
And a Wembley Tie...
Girls love to stroke it
While he's on the phone
Oh yeah, oh yeah
At the House of Representatives
He's a groovy guy. . .
When he Gives Thanks He is not alone. . .

He is dealin'
He is really dealin' IRS can't determine
Where The Hook is
It is easy with the Bible
To pretend that
You're in Show Biz
They won't get him
They will never get him
For the naughty stuff
That he did
It is best in cases like this
To pretend that
You are stupid

He's got Presidential Help
All along the way
He says the grace
While the lawyers chew
Oh yeah
They sure do
And the Governors agree to say: "He's a lovely man!"
He makes it easier for
Them to screw
All of you...
Yes, that's true!
'Cause he helps put
The Fear of God
In the Common Man
Snatchin' up money
Everywhere he can
Oh yeah Oh yeah
He's got twenty million dollars
In his Heavenly Bank Account
You ain't got nothin', people
You ain't got nothin', people
You ain't got nothin', people
Thank the man.. .oh yeah

A rabbi, a priest and a televangelist were crossing the street one day when they came upon a sack full of $100 bills. They agreed to divide it equally among themselves. Then the priest said they really should donate some to their churches. he suggested throwing it up in the air and what ended up on one side of the dividing line went to them, what landed on the other side to their churches. The rabbi suggested what landed in the cross walk went to their churches,the rest to them. The televangelist suggested throwing it up in the air and God would take what He needed and they could have the rest.

Just look at all our politicians.

Sounds like Harry Reid's real estate deals and Nancy Pelosi's war profiteering except Reid and Pelosi are real crooks and criminals stealing from the taxpayers.

People stupid enough to give a dime to these crooks deserve everything they get.

I believe that preachers should be compensated comensurate with their congregation. If the average person in the congregation makes $50K then they should make $50K, etc.

I have always had a problem with overy ornate churches. For cripe sake, people are starving. I remember a business meeting in a church I attened a few years back, where they wanted to spend $3000 to make all the door knobs in the church match. They all worked, but they did not match. I agrued that $3000 would feed a lot of people. Others argued that there were some people who would visit the church and not come back because the door knobs would not match. In the end the spent the money on the door knobs.

If God is who I believe Him to be, or for that matter who they believe him to be, in the end they will answer for this. Someone quoted the passage, "For as much as you have done to the least of these you have done to Me." A passage all these guys should keep in mind.

If God genuinely intends material riches for all his followers, then I hate to imagine what the persecuted Christians in China and the starving ones in Africa have done wrong. Do the prosperity Gospel folks actually mean to suggest that it's those people's fault that they don't have three-bedroom homes and an SUV?

Ugh. Imagining that the Bible teaches a path to material success is like believing it teaches a literal history of the world.

Oh, wait...

Limousine Christians. I heard a story once that, in it's heyday, the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, home to the late Dr. James (Darwin was responsible for Hitler) Kennedy, had valet service and that your pew arrangements were based on tithe.

If I were a Christian, I would tend to believe that Jesus flies coach.

Kill, pray and bank your winnings.

America is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, even if its Christians have shit for brains.

don't forget obama's a christian...careful what you say.

If I were a Christian, I would tend to believe that Jesus flies coach.

Posted by dutch46

Or more likely, Greyhound.

........tax the churches.........

......god will provide for the ones he wants to keep.......

I don't believe God has a specific problem with Christians being wealthy.

That is because you don't really understand the concept of God.

As for for Christians wanting to be "wealthy" then they are not really Christians and they don't understand Jesus.

How much money did Jesus have?

If God genuinely intends material riches for all his followers, then I hate to imagine what the persecuted Christians in China and the starving ones in Africa have done wrong. Do the prosperity Gospel folks actually mean to suggest that it's those people's fault that they don't have three-bedroom homes and an SUV?

Posted by RainbowBlight at 2008-07-28 09:13 AM | Reply

You make some very good observations.

On a related note:

I've always been amazed that the Christians who buy into all the "Left Behind" crap talk about a period of "tribulation" that is coming for believers.

Tell the Christians around the world who are suffering persecution now or who have suffered persecution in the past about the "coming tribulation."

In the meantime, (many) American Christians can keep taking their Lincoln Navigators to the Megachurch on Sunday while whining about the "War on Christmas."

*** How much money did Jesus have?
Posted by donnerboy ******

.....not enough to avoid getting nailed......

**** Obama's ex spiritual advisor Rev Wright is having a 10 million dollar home built--and he wasn't even a televangilist.

Posted by MURPHY ****

......God must be rewarding Wright for preaching God's word accurately.......

**** I hate to imagine what the persecuted Christians in China and the starving ones in Africa have done wrong.
Posted by RainbowBlight *****

...they were born the wrong color.....

Ever notice that all of these Televangelist shitbags all have that same, fake, plastic smile, just like that 'Burger King' face.

I attend a large church and the pastor makes between one and two hundred thousand dollars month. The church offering is a little over a million a month. Three years ago, there was a budget shortfall due to building project (21 millions, mostly paid by now) and a donor gave $1 million anonymously to cover the dificit.

Again, context: in poor countries, Christians will be poor too; in rich countries, you will find many rich Christians. (money is not the problem, it is 'the love of money' (covetousness) that is the problem). If your heart is right and you abide by the law of the land, make guilt-free money and become millionaires --- why not!

BTW, all you atheists and skeptics and scoffers, Bill Gates will become a born again believer --- yes, a Christian. He may not call it born again, but his heart will change (2 Cor. 5:17) and he will acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

Sorry, the pastor makes over $100,000 a year, not month.

FTA: Political observers in Iowa saw the move against Mr. Grassley as retribution for his having tangled with evangelical pastors in his state. He initiated a Senate Finance Committee investigation of six televangelists for conspicuous personal spending.

Good eye, Rein.

America's Taliban takes over in Iowa?

"It's pretty well controlled now by the Christian Alliance," Mr. Roberts said. "If somebody came to me and wanted to be a delegate to the national party convention, I used to say, 'Talk to the state party chairman or to Grassley.' Now it's very simple. You go to the Christian Alliance, and they determine who is a delegate, and you have to do exactly as they say."

In recent weeks, religious activists replaced Mr. Roberts as the national Republican committeeman and also replaced the national committeewoman with pro-life advocates who also oppose gay marriage.

Ah, the religious reich.

They put the "coup" in "Koo-Koo".

Fear them.

Fight Them.

Be Well.

Ah, the religious reich.

They put the "coup" in "Koo-Koo".

Fear them.

Fight Them.

Be Well.

Posted by dethspud at 2008-07-28 03:48 PM

I do not fear them but the damage they are doing to our Nation and the World.