http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/televangelists/ en-us Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:05:51 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1985760/posts (Reuters) John McCain described Rod Parsley, a televangelist who urged a Christian war on Islam, as his spiritual guide Hannah Strange John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has been called upon to renounce a church leader he considers his spiritual guide for urging a Christian war to destroy the “false religion” of Islam. A number of prominent US weblogs demanded he reject the support of Reverend Rod Parsley, of the World Harvest Church of Columbus, an influential televangelist and political figure who campaigned alongside him in the run up to the Ohio primary. On February 26, a week before... Times Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1985760/posts#comment Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:05:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1981528/posts The ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee says the televangelist ministries that he's investigating for alleged financial misconduct may be ignorant about the seriousness of his probe, but they're "not going to get away with their stonewalling." Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) says he is sending out a second letter to well-known "prosperity gospel" ministries, asking them to address allegations they are using their tax-exempt status to pay for lavish lifestyles. Grassley reports he has received the cooperation of only two of the six televangelists under investigation -- Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn. The ministries of Paula White, Eddie Long,... OneNewsNow http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1981528/posts#comment Thu, 6 Mar 2008 21:21:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1969855/posts The four biggest names in American Televangelism have united for an evangelistic outreach that is truly out of this world. Paul Crouch, Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson and Kenneth Copeland announced earlier today that they have purchased the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope from the University of Manchester in Great Britain for a reported $130 million. The University had been looking to unload the Radio Telescope after funding for ongoing scientific research had dried up from the British Government. Faith healer Benny Hinn shared a vision that Jesus gave him several months ago, on a recent Praise The Lord broadcast: "I was... the specious report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1969855/posts#comment Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:50:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1967442/posts GOP Hopeful Has Close Bond With Televangelist Targeted By Senate Investigation NEW YORK (CBS News) ― Last fall, Mike Huckabee taped an appearance on Kenneth Copeland's popular television show. The theme: "Integrity of Character." "Treat people like you'd want to be treated," Huckabee said. Now some are raising issue with Huckabee's character, principally his judgment, CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reports. They are focusing on his association with the televangelist, who has refused to cooperate with a Senate investigation into his ministry's finances. At issue, as reported by CBS News last week: whether millions of dollars in... CBS 2 CHICAGO http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1967442/posts#comment Sat, 9 Feb 2008 01:48:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1967390/posts Gov. Mike Huckabee, vastly outspent so far in his bid for the presidency, has turned for funding to a controversial televangelist who is under active Senate investigation. Late last month, Gov. Huckabee held a fundraiser at the Texas estate of millionaire televangelist Kenneth Copeland, his spokesman tells NBC News. The U.S. Senate currently is investigating Copeland, and five other televangelists, amid allegations that they are improperly using millions in charitable donations for their personal benefit, and, in the process, fleecing their flock. Copeland and the other televangelists have strongly denied those allegations. “The Huckabee Event was not hosted by Ken... MSNBC.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1967390/posts#comment Sat, 9 Feb 2008 00:22:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1961468/posts It hasn’t generated a lot of headlines, but in the world of religion and politics, it’s a pretty big deal. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, recently asked six high-profile, hyper-wealthy Pentecostal televangelists for their financial records, under the suspicion that they’re using their ministries for personal gain. (Imagine that.) Not surprisingly, most of the televangelists’ ministries have been loath to cooperate with the inquiry. One in particular is pledging a holy war. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has gone after more than a few iconic nonprofits during his tenure atop the Finance Committee, including... The Carpetbagger Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1961468/posts#comment Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:54:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1961215/posts Via the folks at the Trinity Foundation/Wittenburg Door, there is a report that GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee reached out to televangelist Kenneth Copeland for some fundraising help. Copeland is one of several televangelists under investigation by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and a proponent of the so-called "prosperity gospel." Trinity cites a blog post by former George H.W. Bush staffer Doug Wead to the effect that Huckabee called Copeland during a ministers' conference last week that Copeland was hosting. Wead reports: "Copeland, carefully observing all the laws governing non profits, as a private citizen, re-convened a private meeting, turned... The Ledger http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1961215/posts#comment Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:40:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1946016/posts One believer is bitter that the money she donated to several prominent ministries didn't bring about the material blessings the preachers had assured would come. "I wanted to believe that God wanted to do something great with me like he was doing with them," said Cindy Fleenor, a 53-year-old accountant from Tampa, Fla., according to The Associated Press. "I'm angry and bitter about it. Right now, I don't watch anyone on TV hardly." Fleenor wrote checks to Benny Hinn and Paula White - two popular televangelists - and pledged $500 a year to Joyce Meyer, another prominent evangelist. But Fleenor... Christian Post Reporter http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1946016/posts#comment Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:55:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1945181/posts The message flickered into Cindy Fleenor's living room each night: Be faithful in how you live and how you give, the television preachers said, and God will shower you with material riches.And so the 53-year-old accountant from the Tampa, Fla., area pledged $500 a year to Joyce Meyer, the evangelist whose frank talk about recovering from childhood sexual abuse was so inspirational. She wrote checks to flamboyant faith healer Benny Hinn and a local preacher-made-good, Paula White.Only the blessings didn't come. Fleenor ended up borrowing money from friends and payday loan companies just to buy groceries. At first she believed... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1945181/posts#comment Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:37:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1940381/posts This is so blatantly false and blasphemous that we immediately paused to pray for Paula White when we first uncovered it. The soon to be divorced, 'pastrix' Paula White's latest money scheme demonstrates her clear lack of Biblical understanding and it also is an affront to the core doctrine of the Christian faith, Christ's atoning sacrifice for sins on the cross. 1. Christians do not observe the Jewish Day of Atonement. Our Atonement day is Good Friday. 2. Asking for an 'Atonement Offering' flies directly in the face of Jesus' atonement for our sins on the cross of Calvary. Offering... A Little Leaven http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1940381/posts#comment Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:02:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1935720/posts Columbia Gorge Repertory Theatre/Jesse Merz, Artistic Director and Lisa Dozier announce that The Gospel According to Tammy Faye, a new two-act musical based on the life of televangelist Tammy Faye Messner, will be presented in three special industry readings in New York City, on Sunday, December 16 at 7PM; Monday, December 17 at 4PM and Tuesday, December 18 at 2PM. Mindy Cooper (choreographer for Dracula, The Musical) directs and choreographs and Seth Farber is the musical director. With a book by Fernando Dovalina and music and lyrics by JT Buck, The Gospel According to Tammy Faye is based on a... Broadway World http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1935720/posts#comment Thu, 6 Dec 2007 18:36:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1935330/posts One of six Christian ministries under investigation by a Senate committee is rebuffing inquiries into its spending, challenging the panel's watchdog role over religious groups, The Associated Press has learned. A lawyer for preacher Creflo Dollar of World Changers Church International in suburban Atlanta has asked Sen. Charles Grassley to either refer the matter to the IRS or get a subpoena, according to a letter from Dollar's attorney obtained Wednesday by the AP. Grassley, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, sent pointed questionnaires in early November to a half-dozen ministries, asking about salaries, perks, travel and oversight. The... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1935330/posts#comment Wed, 5 Dec 2007 23:56:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1934419/posts Among the many conservative Christians who feel misunderstood by the general public, the six televangelists under investigation by a Senate committee are an embarrassment. The ministers' on-air faith healings and fundraising, backed by self-serving misinterpretations of Scripture, reinforce offensive stereotypes of greedy preachers and put their followers at spiritual risk, critics say. But traditional Christians aren't universally celebrating the inquiry. Some are wondering whether the investigation led by Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa is the right way to end any wrongdoing, especially if the result is more government oversight of all ministries. [Snip] he ministries under review include Randy... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1934419/posts#comment Tue, 4 Dec 2007 13:50:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1924351/posts An Atlanta megachurch took in $69 million in 2006, according to a financial statement the church's minister released in response to a Senate investigation into him and five other well-known televangelists. The Rev. Creflo Dollar disclosed the World Changers Church International's financial information to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but said the money he spends is his own. Dollar said his income comes from personal investments, including businesses and real estate ventures. But the church gave him a Rolls Royce, which he mainly uses for special occasions, he said. "Without a doubt, my life is not average," he said. "But I'd like... Kansas City Star http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1924351/posts#comment Mon, 12 Nov 2007 01:20:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1922497/posts Grassley Probes Televangelists' Finances AP Posted: 2007-11-06 19:38:30 AP Photo NYOL959 By JUSTIN JUOZAPAVICIUS Associated Press Writer Acting on tips about preachers who ride in Rolls Royces and have purportedly paid $30,000 for a conference table, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee said Tuesday he's investigating the finances of six well-known TV ministers. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said those under scrutiny include faith healer Benny Hinn, Georgia megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar and one of the nation's best known female preachers, Joyce Meyer. Grassley sent letters to the half-dozen Christian media ministries earlier this week requesting answers by... http://news.aol.com/story/_a/grassley-probes-televangelists-finances/n20071106193809990033 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1922497/posts#comment Wed, 7 Nov 2007 23:50:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1922170/posts 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... Atlanta Journal Constitution http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1922170/posts#comment Wed, 7 Nov 2007 12:43:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1922332/posts The Why Both Giuliani and Robertson share an apocalyptic worldview about the clash with [radical] Islam; for Robertson, it is religious and based in biblical prophecy. For Giuliani, it is secular -- but given his 9/11 experiences, just as personal. Evangelical Christians cite the war on terror as their chief policy concern, and it is not that surprising that Giuliani, who is more identified with an aggressive prosecution of that war than any other candidate, is doing well among evangelicals. It's not that they ignore his views on social issues; it's that they see the war on terror like he... The Atlantic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1922332/posts#comment Wed, 7 Nov 2007 17:59:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1921664/posts CBS News has learned Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is investigating six prominent televangelist ministries for possible financial misconduct. Letters were sent Monday to the ministries demanding that financial statements and records be turned over to the committee by December 6th. 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. The six ministries identified as being under investigation by the committee are led by: Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth... CBS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1921664/posts#comment Tue, 6 Nov 2007 15:04:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1921587/posts WASHINGTON — The top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee has launched a wide-ranging investigation into the financial dealings of six TV evangelists, including Joyce Meyer, the popular preacher who has built a $124-million-a-year empire headquartered in Fenton. On Monday, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, asked Meyer to provide his staff with documents detailing the finances of the Joyce Meyer Ministries, including the religious group's compensation to Meyer, her husband and other family members, as well as an accounting of their housing allowances, gifts and credit card statements for the last several years. St. Louis Post Disgrace http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1921587/posts#comment Tue, 6 Nov 2007 12:41:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1919066/posts How to determine when Joel Osteen is speaking heresy: What?..Um - theological satire http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1919066/posts#comment Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:48:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1900594/posts ATLANTIS, Fla. (AP) — The Rev. Rex Humbard, a former itinerant preacher whose televangelism ministry once reached more parts of the globe than any other religious program, died Friday a family spokeswoman said. He was 88. Humbard died of natural causes at a South Florida hospital near his Lantana home, family spokeswoman Kathy Scott said. "He was the ultimate role model in showing love and caring about other people over and above himself," his grandson Rex Humbard III said. The son of evangelists, Humbard evolved his ministry from revivals across the country to a permanent home in Akron, Ohio, and... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1900594/posts#comment Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:47:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1886191/posts TV evangelist Paula White, who is a frequent speaker at a San Antonio church where she recently formed a ministry partnership, and her husband, Randy, announced Thursday night that they plan to divorce after a nearly 18-year marriage. The split was made public during a Thursday evening service for their Tampa, Fla., congregation, Without Walls International Church, which they founded in 1991 and which became one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing churches. What her forthcoming divorce will mean for Family Praise Center in Northwest San Antonio remains unclear. White plans to keep Tampa as her base and continue preaching... My SanAntonio Online (San Antionio Express News) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1886191/posts#comment Fri, 24 Aug 2007 23:44:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886297/posts ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A Christian televangelist who harshly criticizes Islam and other religions said Friday that his late-night program is being pulled off the air because of pressure from a Muslim group. Earlier this month, officials from the Council on American Islamic Relations wrote a letter to the TV station's owners asking for an investigation of the show it broadcasts, "Live Prayer with Bill Keller." In a May 2 broadcast, the televangelist said Islam was a "1,400-year-old lie from the pits of hell" and called the Prophet Mohammed a "murdering pedophile." He also called the Koran a "book of... wftv.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886297/posts#comment Sat, 25 Aug 2007 03:46:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886120/posts Televangelist: I lost my show over Muslim remarks ST. PETERSBURG -- Televangelist Bill Keller may have finally met an opponent he can't out-talk. The controversial late-night Christian talk show host, known for his biting criticism of religious, political and pop culture figures, is going off the air. Keller, 49, says he ran afoul of the Tampa Chapter of the Council of American Islamic Relations. The group calls Live Prayer with Bill Keller a hate-filled broadcast that damages Muslims and Islam. Earlier this month, CAIR asked CBS executives to remove Keller's nightly talk show from WTOG-TV Ch. 44, a CBS-owned station... St Pete Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886120/posts#comment Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:29:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1878348/posts National Talk Show host Reuben Armstrong has put TD Jakes, Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar, and Joel Osteen, the top four Mega-pastors, "Under Fire." Dallas, TX (PRWEB) August 7, 2007 -- The Reuben Armstrong Show airs on Streaming Faith which is the largest Christian based website in the world and broadcasts in eight states and on TV around the World. Armstrong will release a new book titled "Snakes in the Pulpit." The book is scheduled for release on August 29th, 2007. Armstrong will be sending a certified letter to these four pastors asking them to resign from their positions as Pastors... PR Web http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1878348/posts#comment Wed, 8 Aug 2007 21:12:39 GMT