Jul 26 2008
Was Grassley booted over probe into health/wealth preachers?
Aides to Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Ia., on Monday downplayed reports that he was dumped by Iowa Republicans as a delegate to the Republican National Convention because of his investigation of six televangelists. Beth Pellett Levine, Grassley’s press secretary, said Grassley won’t be a delegate, but he will attend the convention and will have floor access as a federal elected official.
She said Grassley, as well as Iowa’s two Republican congressmen, Reps. Steve King and Tom Latham, will not be delegates “in order to give additional Iowa Republicans the opportunity to participate in the floor proceedings and activities of the national party convention.”
Levine said that Grassley told state party leaders he would be a voting delegate if they wanted, “like he has previously, but the more Iowa Republicans who participate in the event the better, in his view.”
James Carstensen, a spokesman for Latham, said the congressman “never requested to be a voting delegate so as to allow more party activists to participate in the convention.” Aides to King, similarly, said he didn’t want to take a spot away from other delegates.
Columnist Robert Novak wrote on Saturday that “evangelicals and their allies” dominating the state convention in Iowa earlier this month “dumped their critic,” Grassley. Novak said Grassley aroused the ire of Christian conservatives with his investigation into the finances of televangelists.
In an article Monday, the Washington Times said that evangelical Christians denied Grassley his request to be a voting delegate and that “political observers” in Iowa saw it as retribution.
Grassley aides, however, said that there was no request and that party Chairman Stewart Iverson instead asked him if he wanted to be a delegate.
Grassley’s probe is into how televangelist Kenneth Copeland of Texas and five other media ministries spend their money.
Read more here.
[From me]
When did the Health/Wealth crowd start getting considered evangelicals? If Grassley wanted to investigate me he could. This would be a great opportunity for those televangelists to prove to the public how trustworthy they really were.
What do you think?
15 responses so far
I agree with your question K about them being considered evangelicals. Me thinks this is just another media hype to paint evangelicals into a corner of hate.
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..Holy Mackerel!!
Also…both Novak and the Washington Times ought to be investigated for false journalism, if in fact they made it up.
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..People of Our Word
“When did the Health/Wealth crowd start getting considered evangelicals?”
Whatever they are, religiously speaking, I am not, and whatever I am, they are not.
I have mixed emotions on the gov’t pursuing them and haven’t fully researched the issue. I don’t want witch hunts, so if that is what is going on it is wrong. On the other hand, I think these folks are deceivers in many ways so if they have broken the laws then they should deal with the consequences.
Neil’s last blog post..Al Gore = fraud & hypocrite
I’d have to agree that I don’t want a witch hunt. But these H/W teachers have gone way too long w/ no accountibility.
An odd few days here. Folks are up in arms about a pbs documentary because it’s not the government’s job to interfere in matters of faith. The same folks practically invite a government investigation of all church groups.
There’s a disconnect here and I don’t get it. Seems like the interest is using the government to go after religious ideas we don’t like, and sacrificing out freedom to go after them.
Dangerous idea there for the limited government/vote freedom first crowd to be backing…
Hugh, I’d have to know more details about the investigation. I don’t necessarily see the inconsistency. If there is reasonable cause to think that the churches broke laws, they should be investigated. Funding PBS is not a Constitutional requirement and we could do without its bias.
Neil’s last blog post..Al Gore = fraud & hypocrite
Neil, great response to Hugh.
All churches/ministers, etc., should be open and honest in their dealings, that’s especially in the area of finances. Open the books.
As far as PBS, why should they be different than any other group receiving financial support from the government. They, too, need to open their books, use credibility in their reporting, and stop with the liberal agenda already!
I have no problems with the investigations…I do have problems with PBS producing pro-literal agenda media.
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..A Procrastinator’s Blog
A reputable church would be financially transparent, but isn’t that a matter of church governance? If the congregants don’t want transparency, then what business is it of the government to require it? If the people writing the check don’t care if the pastor has a private jet, mansion and limo, then why should the feds?
Bottom line is that you guys don’t like the health and wealth crowd and want the feds to shut them down, in the same way that you want pbs shut down. It has nothing to do with law it has to do with silencing voices with whom you disagree.
The thing troubles me about you guys is that its ok to be investigated on financial dealings. Lets take another of kevin’s hobby horses? What if the government started checking sermons for what could be labeled as hate speech? That would be an abuse of power wouldn’t it?
Hugh…I can only speak for myself…but, if I am preaching hatred, whether from the pulpit or the street corner, I am wrong and my speech shouldn’t be tolerated.
Another example, can I scream “FIRE” in a crowded theatre? Is that acceptable behavior? Or, should someone stop me?
Should I “preach” that racism is acceptable? Should I “preach” that homosexuals should be executed on the public square? Is that okay?
Whether my members agree or disagree with those messages, are they acceptable? Should they be stopped?
Hugh, what I don’t like is the lack of integrity among many of these groups Kevin has mentioned in the past. They preach H/W, unfortunately, the only ones gaining anything from those empty promises, is the preacher!
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..A Procrastinator’s Blog
The one Republican who is actually doing a great job and yet ousted by his peers for doing that same wonderful job.
Hmm.
Joe Louthan’s last blog post..Diet Challenge Thingie, 20 Cheapest Healthiest Foods
Kevin, it appears once again that you are ahead of the curve on this subject and are teaching the news media a thing or two. As you have time, you might want to check out this news site:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25865017/
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Caption This Photo, Part Two
I’m with Hugh on this one. There is a government organization that is responsible for this kind of investigation — the IRS. For legislators to take on the responsibilities of the executive branch, especially in terms of church and state, should be deeply disturbing to all religious groups.
Kevin S’s last blog post..The Pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer
Kevin, You’re nothing but a punk talking smack like a little girl. Come into the cage with me and Grassley. Risk your life if you dare. I will smack you Down like a dog!
Fake Kenneth Copeland’s last blog post..Announcement by Rory and Wendy Alec
Kenneth,
I’m honored you stopped by. I could use some help. Will you sow some seed in my ministry?
Kevin, that’s my line sucka! Keep an eye on our site. We’re going to have some fun brother!
Fake Kenneth Copeland’s last blog post..Announcement by Rory and Wendy Alec