As a Christian, I commend Sen Grassley on the investigation. 

I have no problem with what any of the six evengelist do.*

I have no problem with how they live.  These preachers do live high on the hog...but, so what?  I hope they enjoy.

I enjoy listening to a couple of them now and then.  However,  if they are abusing the tax laws....then, they should pay taxes.  TBN (Trinity Broadcast Network) now pays taxes for that reason.

I also commend the ministries that are cooperating with the Sen.  And, I think the Sen should use all power within his authority to go after those that are not cooperating.

This is not a religious dogma issue...it is a government tax issue.   


*Well, that is not completely true.  In theory, I have no problem.  A couple of them are prejudice-supportive Christians who perpetuate prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry against lgbt people.  However, that is not the topic at hand.

JohnQ wrote:

I also commend the ministries that are cooperating with the Sen.  And, I think the Sen should use all power within his authority to go after those that are not cooperating.

thats my problem, i think he is the wrong branch of government to have any investigative power outside of background to propose new laws

and i love Sen. Grassley otherwise

[QUOTE=davelaw40;64221]Where is the authority for Congress to act as a Grand Jury?[/QUOTE]

Part of Congress' authority is oversight of government agencies including the IRS. Therefore, it is the job of the Senate Finance Committee to ensure that tax exempt organizations correctly report income and expenses.
I can understand why Senator Grassley might question why Benny Hinn lives in a $10 million 7 bathroom, 8 bedroom mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean which he claims is a parsonage; or why Joyce & David Meyer have a $23,000 marble topped commode and a $30,000 conference table; or why Bishop Eddie Long who claims he no longer receives a salary from his church, but accepts "love offerings," lives in 9 bathroom mansion on 20 acres and drives a $300,000 Bentley.

TPaine wrote:

Part of Congress' authority is oversight of government agencies including the IRS. Therefore, it is the job of the Senate Finance Committee to ensure that tax exempt organizations correctly report income and expenses.
I can understand why Senator Grassley might question why Benny Hinn lives in a $10 million 7 bathroom, 8 bedroom mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean which he claims is a parsonage; or why Joyce & David Meyer have a $23,000 marble topped commode and a $30,000 conference table; or why Bishop Eddie Long who claims he no longer receives a salary from his church, but accepts "love offerings," lives in 9 bathroom mansion on 20 acres and drives a $300,000 Bentley.

But THats my point; Grassley should expilicitly state his authority and basis for investigation.

I fhe thinks the IRS is letting fraudulent religions skate-he should say so.

However, if my faith requires me to live in poverty; while my leader lives an oppulent lifestyle-congress has no business interfering with my deluded lifestyle.

sacrificialgoddess wrote:

Eh, tax them all. Like businesses, since so many operate that way. That'll take care of the problem. And what with all the tax shelters and off-shore accounts that businesses and groups like this use anyway, they probably won't be paying anything anyway.

Can't, taxing even fake religions violates over 400 years of common law- it won't ever happen.