Ministers still spurn senator’s questions

WASHINGTON — Television ministers Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar again have declined to answer questions sparked by news coverage of lavish lifestyles, according to a U.S. senator pushing the investigation.

Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, however, played down the significance of Copeland’s vow that he would go to jail before handing over certain information.

Money, Money, Money…

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, {4} he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions {5} and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. {6} But godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. {8} But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. {9} People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. {10} For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
- The Bible, 1 Timothy 6:3-10 NIV

Research resources on Prosperity Teaching

Comments & resources by ReligionNewsBlog.com

“That isn’t unusual,” Grassley, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, said in an interview. “And I don’t blame them for being cautious.”

Citing his oversight of other nonprofit organizations and their tax status, the senator said Copeland’s reaction is not all that different than the reactions received from others over the past five years.

“They wonder what you are up to. They wonder what do you want,” Grassley said. “They don’t understand what congressional oversight is, and, in the case of ministers, they are fearful of the First Amendment (issues).”

When pressed on whether Copeland’s vow to go to jail was a bit more unusual, Grassley said he did not want to comment on that specifically.

He also declined to set a timeline for dealing with Copeland and Dollar’s refusal to answer questions or handling information from the ministries of Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Eddie Long and Paula and Randy White.

“There is no time limit for us to dwell on this stuff,” Grassley said.

“And I want to make people like the Copelands feel as comfortable as they can. If they want to talk to me, I’d be even personally glad to talk to them because if they think we are up to some sort of mischief, I think I can satisfy them that we are just doing what our constitutional responsibilities are.”

Representatives for Copeland and Dollar did not return phone calls.

Copeland had supplied a packet of information, but Grassley’s office said this week it did not provide answers to the senator’s questions.

In a February letter to supporters, still posted on his ministry’s Web site, Copeland made it clear he did not intend to comply with the Grassley requests. He cited Scripture in stating his ministry provides financial information to the Internal Revenue Service but not to others.

“I gave my solemn oath to the Lord Jesus 41 years ago that I would never, under any circumstance, give anyone the names of my Partners or the name of anyone else who has given an offering of any kind to this ministry,” Copeland wrote.

“If it were to come to it, I would go to jail before I would break my word on this.”

According to Grassley, Dollar had indicated that a subpoena would be necessary.

In a television appearance several months ago, Dollar disputed some of the information used by Grassley in justifying the investigation.

“Of course, we don’t have any problems complying to a valid request,” Dollar said, but questioned whether the Senate panel should become a tax examiner.

Grassley triggered the standoff last November when he wrote to the six media ministries, asking them questions covering issues such as ministers’ compensation, housing allowances, jets, cars, credit card statements and love offerings. He made no specific allegations of wrongdoing but said he was looking into such matters after news coverage of ministries’ certain practices.

Grassley’s letters were sent during a controversy that engulfed Oral Roberts University. Three of the six — Copeland, Hinn and Dollar — were ORU regents at the time.

A second letter was sent last month, and it was signed by Grassley and Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

---

What You Can Do From Here

---

Read More Articles On These Topics Categories: Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Televangelists Share, Blog About, Bookmark, or Email This Article Subscribe Religion News Blog RSS feed [What is this?] RSS by topic: Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Televangelists Read Another Article Previous entry: Pastor offered me R10 000 to sit in a wheelchair…. stand up and walk Next entry: New head of voodoo brings on the charm RNB Homepage with latest headlines Find Related Information Use our custom search engines to find additional research resources on religions and cults Find Related Books Creflo Dollar Most Popular Today Polygamist Sect Leader Convicted of Sexual Assault Jury takes 14 minutes to convict self-proclaimed pot pastor Supreme Court upholds cult AUM Shinrikyo members’ death sentences Prosecutor not malicious in Satanic sex abuse case, Canada’s Supreme Court says Fort Hood shooting: imam says Nalid Malik Husan ‘didn’t seem like an extremist’

---

Share This Article

---

To share this page simply copy and paste one of these URL's:

• Post a link on your blog or website:
  
• Send in an email or IM:
  
• Post on a forum: