New information: An investigation. Every decade or so there's an investigation of the more popular televangelists. This time around was more pathetic than normal. Here are the articles. Huffington post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/08...06202.html CNN: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/07...ed/?hpt=T2
Here's the conclusion to a 3 year investigation: "The staff review sets the stage for a comprehensive discussion among churches and religious organizations," Grassley said in a prepared statement. "I look forward to helping facilitate this dialogue and fostering an environment for self-reform within the community."
"The number and types of entities, including private airports and aircraft leasing companies, raises concerns about the use of the church's tax-exempt status to avoid taxation. However, given the four churches' refusal to provide tax information, we are unable to determine whether and the extent to which they are reporting and paying taxes on income earned in those entities," the review states.
Here's another quote: Long responded in a statement Thursday night, "I am relieved that after more than three years of intense investigation and countless untrue allegations, that Senator Chuck Grassley's review has found no evidence of wrongdoing. Our ministry at New Birth has always and will continue to operate with accountability and integrity. I am thankful to God that the public now knows the truth."
If I were paranoid (and I am) I would venture to say that the lovely senator was paid to "not find anything".
I also wonder how much money was spent to make the senator's investigation threatening enough to require pay offs.
Just a little paranoia. I don't trust these guys as far as I can throw them.
Here's the conclusion to a 3 year investigation: "The staff review sets the stage for a comprehensive discussion among churches and religious organizations," Grassley said in a prepared statement. "I look forward to helping facilitate this dialogue and fostering an environment for self-reform within the community."
"The number and types of entities, including private airports and aircraft leasing companies, raises concerns about the use of the church's tax-exempt status to avoid taxation. However, given the four churches' refusal to provide tax information, we are unable to determine whether and the extent to which they are reporting and paying taxes on income earned in those entities," the review states.
Here's another quote: Long responded in a statement Thursday night, "I am relieved that after more than three years of intense investigation and countless untrue allegations, that Senator Chuck Grassley's review has found no evidence of wrongdoing. Our ministry at New Birth has always and will continue to operate with accountability and integrity. I am thankful to God that the public now knows the truth."
If I were paranoid (and I am) I would venture to say that the lovely senator was paid to "not find anything".
I also wonder how much money was spent to make the senator's investigation threatening enough to require pay offs.
Just a little paranoia. I don't trust these guys as far as I can throw them.
I have studied the Bible and the theology behind Christianity for many years. I have been to many churches. I have walked the depth and the breadth of the religion and, as a result of this, I have a lot of bullshit to scrape off the bottom of my shoes. ~Ziploc Surprise
