Hinn, Dollar, White Among 6 Televangelists Under Senate Scrutiny for Alleged Donation Abuse

Senate Finance Committee to investigate alleged misuse of tax-exempt status to support extravagant lifestyles

From Christian News Headlines:

Breaking News: Republican Sen. Charles Grassley has launched an investigation into six televangelists for allegations of abusing their tax-exempt status. Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Joyce Meyer and Paula White are required to submit financial records to the Senate Finance Committee by December 6th.

Congress has the authority to subpoena these televangelists. Some televangelists might be required to testify before Congress concerning their alleged use of tax-exempt donations to support extravagant lifestyles.

In 2005 the Trinity Foundation learned of Grassley’s work investigating financial abuses of nonprofits and contacted the senator about investigating various televangelists. After working together for two years, this investigation is becoming public and could lead to criminal charges, the tax-exempt status of various televangelists being revoked, and new legislation to reform religious broadcasting.

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Related: Senator’s Letter Includes Questions About White’s Use of Church Money for Homes, Cosmetic Surgery

Kern County Gives ‘In God We Trust’ Posters Free Reign

Church and State

Tracking the story that broke last night about a California school board voting on a proposal to allow posters bearing copies of historical documents and the words, “In God We Trust,” TheScroogeReport learned today that the trustees approved the measure 4-1.

The measure passed despite the board’s president saying that the posters were reflecting a “spiritual agenda.”

This from FOXNews.com:

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Trustees of the largest high school district in the country voted 4-1 Monday night to mandate displays bearing the nation’s motto — “In God We Trust” — and other historical documents in over 2,300 district classrooms and offices.

The display of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights will be included in the posters approved by district trustees in Bakersfield, Calif. Monday night.

Kern County High School District trustee Chad Vegas initially proposed the measure as a way of promoting patriotism. But the idea sparked a contentious debate.

“I’m exteremely pleased the measure passed and was in fact expanded beyond what I had originally proposed,” said Vegas.

In addition to placing the displays in over 2,300 classrooms, the posters will also be hung in district boardrooms, libraries, administrative offices and other rooms.

Board President Bob Hampton, a former teacher in the district, told The L.A. Times he would vote against the posters because they reflect a “spiritual agenda.”

“The spiritual side of students belongs at home and at church, not in the educational system,” Hampton said.

The classroom displays were first suggested by the non-profit group In God We Trust — America Inc., whose president, Jacquie Sullivan, is a Bakersfield councilwoman.

“I encouraged the trustees to put this on the agenda,” she said. “It’s very important. We need to promote patriotism and promote it in our schools. We can’t just assume that the younger generations are going to have that strong love for God and their country the way the older generations do.”

Sullivan’s organization has offered to provide funding for the project at Kern.

The councilwoman, who said she is a registered Republican and a Christian who attends a local Baptist church, told FOXNews.com that she has neither a religious nor political agenda in pushing for the measure.

“It’s not political. It’s not religious. It’s patriotism,” Sullivan said. “American patriotism is love of God and love of country. It’s pride in our country.”

She believes schools are becoming more casual about teaching children to appreciate the ideals and values the United States was founded on, and she thinks it’s important to “get back to the basics.”

“Some schools have gotten so lax as to not be pledging allegiance to the flag everyday,” Sullivan said. “We can easily get out of the habit of doing good things. (Patriotism) is something that continually needs to be taught.”

And she believes that most Americans have faith in God, so having the national motto posted in school shouldn’t offend anyone.

“We are faith-based people for the most part,” Sullivan said. “Sometimes you have to go with the majority.”

Other Bakersfield residents said there’s nothing wrong with posting the nation’s motto on classroom walls — even if it does mention God.

“Most kids in Bakersfield already have that seed planted, but for the others, it couldn’t hurt,” Malia Casarez told the Times. “My daughter is just 9 months old and I’m already scared of sending her to school, with all the things you hear about.”

Trustee Bryan Batey said he could support displaying the posters in some classrooms, but not all. Two other members on the five-person board have said they do not support the proposal, The Bakersfield Californian reported.

The Kern district superintendent’s office and the office of trustees did not immediately return calls from FOXNews.com seeking comment.

School Trustee: ‘In God We Trust’ Reflects a Spiritual Agenda

Church and State

Vote is tonight. TheScroogeReport is tracking this one.

This from FOX News:

Trustees of a school district in Bakersfield, Calif., will decide Monday night whether to allow posters bearing the nation’s motto — “In God We Trust” — and other historical documents to be displayed in classrooms.

The display of posters of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights will also be voted on Monday night.

Kern County High School District trustee Chad Vegas initially proposed the measure as a way of promoting patriotism. But the idea has sparked a contentious debate.

Board President Bob Hampton, a former teacher in the district, told The L.A. Times that he’ll vote against the posters because they reflect a “spiritual agenda.”

“The spiritual side of students belongs at home and at church, not in the educational system,” Hampton said.

The classroom displays were first suggested by the non-profit group In God We Trust — America Inc., whose president is Jacquie Sullivan, a Bakersfield councilwoman.

Sullivan told FOXNews.com that she expects the measure to pass with the necessary 3 to 5 majority of trustees voting in favor, but said the issue would likely be over how many classrooms should carry the displays.

“I encouraged the trustees to put this on the agenda,” she said. “It’s very important. We need to promote patriotism and promote it in our schools. We can’t just assume that the younger generations are going to have that strong love for God and their country the way the older generations do.”

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