GOSPEL ENTREPRENEURS; JESUS IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS

Absolutely ! It is in the interests of ‘Business’ or Executive Power that they operate with their own Witch Doctors.
It is no accident that Bush and Howard embrace religious piety and support religious organisation; they seek to appeal to the naivete of their constituents in that they would not countenance evil acts.
They don’t suggest the poor and needy ‘eat cake’, they offer them ‘pie-in-the-sky’. The lessons from their Bibles are subject to selective interpretation as spouted by the stage strutting evangelists.

I do not suggest there are not genuine devout believers out there who quietly go about practicing their faith…Unfortunately they are disunited and divided by their own sectarianism.

The ultimate irony is the preamble to Parliamentary deliberations begins with a prayer, then turns into a circus. Obviously, Jesus is good for business.

I cant help think that poeple who worry about the "success" of the large evangelical churches or ministries either suffer from the so called "tall poppy syndrome" or are already eager to find fault because the type of ministry presented may not fit in with what they think church should be? These evangelical groups are the only churches that are experiencing significant growth in this otherwise secular world. It is certainly not in their interest to defraud anyone but to only be a positive influence on people and the community. If the media truly wanted to find out and then be prepared to give an honest and unbiased report into their findings I am sure they would be more successful in separating fact from falsehood. I understand this would take quite a cultural shift within the media today but it certainly would go a long way if the goal is finding and presenting the truth through balanced reporting.

"All religions are money making enterprises. Always have been, always will be."
LoL...That's as ridiculous generalisation as saying all muslims are suicide bombers. I'd ask you just as an introduction to demonstrate how all Buddhist groups are in it for the money. By the way, please don't respond with some ridiculous fringe-cult which also believe in sacrificing babies to Satan. I'm talking about mainstream denominations, the majority.

I'd like to remind everyone that we are talking about extreme cases here. But yes, this whole prosperity doctrine has got totally out of hand. We totally need to make sure that these religious leaders are made accountable in and outside religious circles.

However I was happy when I heard about the ECFA. I have always argued that religous organisations should be completely transparent about funds. It achieves many outcomes; namely it empowers the members of the religion with a sense of purpose, because they know where their funds are going. Using a charity organisation as an analogy; World Vision wouldn't ask people to give money, and then tells its members "Oh but we can't tell you where it is going". They are (fairly) transparent, and hence people are happy to part with their money for what they view as a good cause.

It also prevents the all-too-common political technique of 'mud throwing'. What I mean is anyone who has some problem with a religious group can just make a random statement such as "Oh hes (e.g. Billy Graham) is just making millions and exploiting the members for financial reward". Whereas in a transparent organisation, the religious group can offer a clear defence to these baseless allegations and move on.

Oh whoa is the cause of us unbelievers!

Its a bit frustrating for moi, who is critical of organised religion, that the financial integrity of major religious denominations in Australia can be so easily and successfully defended. Because they DO have sincerity AND integrity (dammit)!

Alan's issue is basically "dead on arrival" because its all about fringe American churches and sundry obvious crooks.

A hotter issue is the influence of the (Pentacostal) Assembly of God on Family First and also the influence of the hardline Catholic Church elements on our Health Minister and future Prime Minister Abbott. With the potential for imposed morality (via laws) on we unbelievers.

If these issues are not explored by Alan or some other worthy soul I fear a major journalistic extravaganza (equaling the birth of Mary's/Bec's new babies or the exposure of the delectable (CIA spook) Valerie Plame) will be left to pass unglamourised and unexploited.

And incidently, Australian society will be the worse for it.

Yours lamentating severely

Plantagenet

I note with some interest that while this article presents lots of interesting information, there is actually not a single piece of evidence to suggest any wrongdoing by any of the entities included.

Being under investigation by the IRS (Benny Hinn), or APRA (Hillsong) does not constitute wrongdoing.

The link between Bush and Howard is also rather weak. I mean come on - "Getting ready for an election, Howard launches his campaigns in the heart of the Pentecostal movement and the gospel entrepreneurs." - that's a bit rich - we all know Hillsong happened to offer the option, and Howard took it. Hillsong offers an option every year at its annual Hillsong conference anyway.

Even Ministry Watch's comments about TD Jakes' ministry are just opinion only. There is no evidence.

Having said that, I do agree with the overall thrust of the article, which says that there is a greater need for accountability amongst churches, and I do welcome the government investigating possible tax fraud. As one of the other posters said, there are some wolves amongst the sheep (there always are) and there's nothing wrong with weeding them out.

But please don't pull together a collection of assorted unsupported 'facts' and use that to imply that the work of these people is purely for financial gains.

Since when did making money acquire a religious dimension? "It is easier for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle" etc.

The marriage of faith and wealth can only suit the self-righteous, the underlying principle being if you're poor you somehow deserve it.