Years ago it was the soap opera of religious caricature coupled with the criminal fraud of PTL that caught the attention of the nation and embarrassed Christianity in America. This was just the beginning of the “non-pulpit churches” that continue to fleece the sheep while at the same time preaching a “gospel of man” more reminiscent of the medieval practice of selling indulgences (literally selling the favor of God) than anything close to the Gospel of God.A few weeks ago Richard Roberts stepped down from his place as head of Oral Roberts University under a cloud of financial and personal suspicion. Now the Senate Finance Committee is investigating the finances of Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer, Paula White, and Eddie Long. Sen. Charles Grassley was prompted to act on allegations of extravagant spending and opulent lifestyles.
I don’t doubt for a moment that these folks and others like them believe that they are entitled to what they have and that their prosperity has been duly appropriated by “faith” and is evidence of the blessing of God. As silly and self-centered as that sounds people have a constitutional right to be wrong in what they believe and the government has no business telling them their doctrine is right or wrong. The 1st Amendment and subsequent Supreme Court decisions have made doctrinal issues off limits to the “powers that be.” Here’s the problem. You have sincerely held (unbelievably wrong) religious beliefs adhered to by millions of people, while at the same time, the government senses fraud that inures to the personal benefit of those selling the favor of God. How does the government proceed without violating the 1st Amendment? I suggest very carefully.
Many parachurch ministries have carved out for themselves a constitutionally protected spiritual “ponzi” scheme. They can make claims of 30, 60 and 100 fold returns on “seed” sown into their ministry and by claiming a religious conviction remain outside the reach of civil authorities. If they were selling securities, swamp land in Florida, or cars only driven by little old ladies, they would be subject to a plethora of state and federal laws governing fraud, misrepresentation, unfair and deceptive trade practices etc. But make an outrageous claim of a promised financial windfall, secured by a donation, in the name of Jesus, and it’s constitutionally protected.
Let’s be honest, this only works on the poor, the greedy and the biblically illiterate. Bill Gates created Microsoft. Gates doesn’t need faith to get wealth. Millions of people in America make a good living and prosper by working hard yet don’t know Jesus at all. At best this group of self appointed pastors, bishops, teachers and healers without theological training or accountability are committing spiritual fraud. However, if the Senate Finance Committee does its job I wouldn’t be surprised that they find criminal fraud under the constitutionally protected auspices of religious faith.
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