Scamvangelist Joel Osteen Closes Megachurch Amid Houston Flooding Crisis

The disaster that has overtaken the City of Houston, Texas and the surrounding region is quickly becoming a testimony of which churches put the Gospel message into practice and which ones merely give the Gospel message lip service only and see preaching as a road to self-enrichment.  My former neighborhood in southwest Houston through its Facebook page has been providing updates on disaster relief as information is gathered.  Among the reports are information that Westbury Baptist church  located at 10425 Hillcroft, will be serving as a drop-off and distribution place for food, water, toiletries, blankets and clothes.   In addition, Westbury Methodist located at 5200 Willowbend opened its doors yesterday as a shelter.  Additional information will be posted as information is gathered.  Meanwhile, one very high profile church is doing seemingly nothing to aid in the disaster releif effort.  Which church, scamvangelist Joel Osteen's 16,800-seat Lakewood Church near downtown Houston.  Osteens' church as of this time remains closed.  The New York Post looks at the situation.  Here are details:

Televangelist Joel Osteen cancelled services at his Houston megachurch Sunday and has yet to reopen its doors — despite the fact that thousands of flooded-out residents are desperately seeking shelter.

The perpetually smiling pastor told followers on Twitter on Monday to lean on their faith.  “Jesus promises us peace that passes understanding,” he wrote. “That’s peace when it doesn’t make sense.”

But Osteen’s comforting words didn’t sit well with critics, who want to know why the doors to his 16,800-seat arena at his Lakewood Church near downtown Houston are closed.

“You have taken so much money away from your people to live like a king,” entertainment publicist Danny Deraney blasted. “It’s the least you could do.”

Washington DC-based writer Charles Clymer tweeted pictures of Lakewood Church, which did not appear to be damaged by floods.

“It doesn’t make sense why you’re not opening up your mega church to house Houston citizens, help me understand that. Jesus,” according to Florida-based writer Emily Timbol.

While the church and its arena have not suffered any flood damage yet, ministry spokesman Donald Iloff said their property is inaccessible because of surrounding waters.

Osteen it should be noted, lives with his family in a $10.5 million home that is treated as church property and is tax-exempt.   As of 2012, Osteen's net worth is reportedly $56,508,500.00.  Oh, and lest I forget, Osteen is not accepting of LGBT individuals who he says need to "repent of their sins." Perhaps Osteen needs to do some repenting and stop fleecing the gullible and easily misled. 

Religious Scam Artists

Franklin Graham: con artist and modern day Pharisee

A piece in the Kansas City Star looks at the obscene salary of anti-gay bigot Franklin Graham - who has parlayed his fathers fame into a truly lucrative gig - and other leaders of so-called Christian charities.  The take away is that for those who have no real skills, waving a Bible around, manufacturing "threats" to the family and civilization, marketing hate, and duping the ignorant and gullible can make for a very, very good living.  In almost any realm other than religion, many of these folks would be seen for what they are - con artists and parasites living off of others.  Note that is what I refer to as the "professional Christin" crowd that is raking in the big bucks compared to many pastors who make paltry amounts in comparison.  These professional Christians obviously have forgotten the parable about selling all of one's belongings and following Christ's Gospel message.  And yes, thanks to undeserved tax-exempt status that many of these "charities" hold, all of us are indirectly subsidizing these obscene salaries.  Here are some story highlights:

Franklin Graham’s annual compensation of $880,000, revealed in a Charlotte Observer story, has some worrying that too many top Christian nonprofit leaders as well as pastors are seeing themselves as CEOs instead of as God’s servants.

Graham, son of renowned evangelist Billy Graham, is head of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief agency based in Boone, N.C.

“Basically they are saying if Satan pays well, God should pay better,” said Maria Dixon, a Southern Methodist University professor of corporate communications and public affairs.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/living/religion/article31665803.html#storylink=cpy

CEOs at the top 50 U.S. charities, including Samaritan’s Purse, earn in the $350,000 to $450,000 range, which makes Graham’s $622,000 salary from his aid organization alone about 40 percent to 50 percent higher than average, according to a Forbes story. He receives the rest of his $258,000 compensation as CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/living/religion/article31665803.html#storylink=cpy

Graham was not available to answer questions.

By contrast, pastor salaries at the nation’s biggest Christian churches are much lower for all but a select number. Only 3 percent of churches with more than 1,600 people in attendance pay senior pastors more than $300,000, said Warren Bird, research director at Leadership Network. At the other extreme, a recent study by the National Association of Church Business Administration found that the average American pastor with a congregation of 300 people earns a salary of less than $28,000 a year.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/living/religion/article31665803.html#storylink=cpy

In a 2011 comparison of megachurch pastors’ salaries, two senior pastors made $1 million and $1.1 million. Others were a fourth to less than half of that.

Among the exceptions: Southern Baptist the Rev. Ed Young, senior pastor at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, pulled in well over $1 million, according to a 2012 Dallas television news report. And in 2013, his last year as pastor at Seattle’s Mars Hill Church, the Rev. Mark Driscoll was drawing a $607,000 package, with a $150,000 raise promised.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/living/religion/article31665803.html#storylink=cpy

 

 

the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability asks for more.  “Compensation-setting practices should be consistent with generally accepted biblical truths and practices,” according to its guidelines.

“It’s a moral issue particularly for a man of faith,” Pablo Eisenberg, a senior fellow at the Georgetown University Center for Public & Nonprofit Leadership, told the Observer. “And also you have to remember that (compensation is) partly paid for by the taxpayer. In a sense, we the taxpayers are subsidizing Frank Graham’s salary and his relatives who are paid.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/living/religion/article31665803.html#storylink=cpy

Not all of the big Christian charity CEOs are making huge salaries.  Lutheran Charities, a $21 billion organization, pays $181,858 to its highest-paid employee. At Cru, the college campus ministry, the highest salary is $150,787, according to Forbes magazine.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/living/religion/article31665803.html#storylink=cpy

Franklin Graham: Shyster and Bigot

Franklin Graham: anti-gay and anti-American

I will be frank.  I don't like Franklin Graham and but for his father, the man would likely have been a nobody.  The same goes for his sister and other Graham relatives who have turned religion into a very comfortable livelihood.  In my view, they are little better than leeches or parasites who suck the financial blood of the gullible.  Indeed, one could say that Franklin Graham is a shyster.  And on top of that, he's an anti-gay bigot.  Worse yet, he now is lauding Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.  Such has become the state of today's "godly Christians" that they side with a despot who is opposed to America.  A piece in Queerty looks at Graham's nasty ant-gay venom and his praise for an enemy of America.  Here are excerpts:

Rev. Franklin Graham is not only following in the footsteps of his father, elderly evangelist Billy Graham, he’s also apparently studied Pat Robertson and memorized every trite cliche ever written about gay people. In a new interview with the Charlotte Observer, Frankie, who now serves as CEO and president of Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc., trots out the decades-old “gays want to convert our children” silliness.

“Of course, gays and lesbians cannot have children,” he offered as a nugget of wisdom, before the reporter informed him that same-sex couples can adopt in many states.

Then as if the recent antigay column he wrote for the Graham empire magazine Decision wasn’t clear enough, the Rev. launches into another disturbing, ill-informed spiel in which he reveals he sees Valdimir Putin as a role model.

“I agree with Putin,” he states. “Protecting his nation’s children… was a pretty smart thing to do.” Riiiight. Putin’s doing an amazing job protecting young people in Russia.

Graham also waxes on about how Congress needs to do more to protect America’s children from the “gay and lesbian agenda” and accuses President Obama of pushing this agenda.

Rackets like Graham's need to be shut down.  Imagine if this man had to get a real job and stop shaking down the gullible and ignorant for money they don't have to be giving away.  A nasty whore has more decency and integrity than Mr. Graham.

GOP Senator Grassley probes televangelists' finances

My oh my! Something like this is LONG Overdue!! In my view, too many of these "Christian" organization "ministries" are little more than gravy train operations for their leaders who fleece the gullible and uneducated of their hard earned money. The words Pharisees and parasites both come to mind. In any other realm, con-artists of this magnitude would have long ago be shut down. What is surprising is that a Republican is behind the inquiry. Daddy Dobson will no doubt be calling the Chimperator and demanding that Grassley be put in his place. Here are details from an Associated Press story (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/TELEVANGELIST_PROBE?SITE=VANOV&SECTION=HOME):

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.

Grassley sent letters to the half-dozen Christian media ministries earlier this week requesting answers by Dec. 6 about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets. In a statement, Grassley said he was acting on complaints from the public and news coverage of the organizations.

"The allegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces," Grassley said. "I don't want to conclude that there's a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code."

Most of those under investigation preach a variation of the "prosperity gospel," the teaching that God will shower faithful followers with material riches. Grassley's letters went to:

1. Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas, a $20 million organization and prosperity gospel pioneer. Questions were raised about the transfer of church assets to a for-profit company, Security Patrol Inc., a $1 million loan from Gloria Copeland to the group, and a "personal gift" of more than $2 million given to Kenneth Copeland to mark the ministry's 40th anniversary.

2. Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Ga. Grassley's letter asks for records on private planes, board makeup, compensation and donations and "love offerings" to visiting ministers.

3. Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas, is asked about use of a private jet, a home in Dana Point, Calif. and "layover trips" while traveling on ministry business.

4. Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga., was questioned about his salary, a $1.4 million real estate transaction and whether he, and not the board, holds sole authority over the organization.

5. Joyce and David Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo., who were quizzed about receiving donations of money and jewelry and the handling of cash from overseas crusades. They also were asked about expenditures at ministry headquarters, including a $30,000 conference table and a $23,000 "commode with marble top."

6. Randy and Paula White of the multiracial Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla. are asked about home purchases in San Antonio, Texas, Malibu, Calif., and New York, credit card charges for clothing and cosmetic surgery and the reported purchase of a Bentley convertible as a gift for Bishop T.D. Jakes, a prominent Texas preacher and televangelist.

The Senate Finance Committee has chided secular nonprofits for governance and compensation problems in the past, but this level of scrutiny for what are basically "non-pulpit churches" is unprecedented, said Ken Behr, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Because the groups have tax status as churches, they are not required to file tax forms open to public inspection.

Man, the Lord's work sure sounds profitable. I commend Senator Grassley, but I suspect there are MANY more of this organizations that need to be investigated, starting with Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, and Concerned Women for America, to name a few.