by Lori Crawford

Created on: December 12, 2007

Televangelists Under Fire: All Christians Feeling the Heat

I am disgusted! And more than a little sad. As I was leaving work two nights ago, I heard on the radio that Congress is looking into the finances of several large television ministries. Because I'd only heard a blurb, I went online to learn more about the investigation the next day.

From the AP:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-11-0 7-televangelist-probe_N.htm?csp=34&loc=interstitials kip

"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."
The other three are Paula White, Eddie Long and Kenneth Copeland.

On the CBS forum where I initially read the story, there were pages upon pages upon pages of comments from people who were glad to see these evangelists taken down a peg. Many of them proclaimed themselves to be Christians. Unable to stomach any more, I had to leave that board alone.

Today, while doing a little reading to get some ideas for a Christmas article to write for my church's newsletter, I went to Crosswalk.com. This website holds a special place in my heart. This is where I found my first online Bible and other study resources. Though I'd only read a couple articles there in the past, I thought it might be a good place to begin my Christmas research.

Before I could even get that far, I found a link to the forum where people were discussing the televangelist investigation. And here comes the disgust.

Again, I found post after post on Crosswalk.com about how people are glad that the televangelists are finally getting their due. As I continued to read, a deep sadness filled my heart. These were people who claimed to be staunch believers in God's Word, but here they were exhibiting decidedly unchristlike characteristics for all and sundry.

The statements standing up for our Christian brothers and sisters who have now found themselves under Congressional scrutiny were practically non-existent. It's absolutely sickening how quickly these evangelists were thrown under the bus. And by the very people who are supposed to have their backs. It's really no wonder that non Christians think of us as hypocritical jokes.

I don't

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