(2007, probably)
Listening
to: Boston – More than a Feeling
Mood:
Incredulous
I
was reading Time Magazine last night and came across an article that just blew
my mind. Now I’ve always had quite a bit of healthy skepticism about television
preachers. Since I became an atheist later in my life, my skepticism has
extended to preachers in general – but that’s a whole different blog. This
article was focusing on a network of televangelists and a Senator who was
investigating their use of money. All of these individuals are part of a
nonprofit organization and thus should sink almost all of the money received in
donations back into the ministry, or at least social services for the community. A major benefit of being a nonprofit is some
major tax savings. The senator did not
launch a major investigation into this, he simply sent them a questionnaire and
a request for some information. Wait,
what? Because we can’t really be sure the donations were abused? Let’s play the PC game? All the featured
preachers were uber rich to begin with? All right. Let’s stop the lemming and
sheeple parade. Almost all of the featured televangelists had either private
planes or multiple very, very expensive cars and lived in what can only be
described as mansions. One of the women featured had a 23,000 dollar toilet in
her office. Um, hello? Reality calling?
Last time I checked, a toilet costs no more than $100 at Menards or Lowes. And,
uh, it isn’t obvious that this money had to come from somewhere, and it
probably wasn’t from a trust fund? It’s ok. I’m sure they’ll answer the
questionnaires in a totally honest, open manner. After all, they’re God’s folk.
Sorry for all the overt sarcasm, but this really bothers me for a few reasons.
Let me elaborate.
1.
Preachers
are supposed to, but virtue of their calling and the nature of religion, to be
servants of the people/their congregation. Somehow, because of the 18 years of
religious teaching (or brainwashing – take your pick) it just seems extremely
unsavory to me to think that the “servants of the lord” are looking to serve
themselves. How can people possibly follow a leader who has such flagrant
disrespect for the use of donated money? Churches do a lot of good in the
world. They help the poor. There are so many good uses in the world for money.
How can a preacher possibly justify a private plane to his or her congregation?
I’m not saying you should live in poverty, but for cryin out loud, have some
shame.
2. The people who are funding
this idiocy and greed are those who really have hope that their money will be
used to further the cause of the church. They don’t have much to send and they
truly have faith that their money will make a difference. Otherwise they
wouldn’t send it, right? This really sticks under my nails. It’s like a double
whammy. These aren’t rich people to which a $50 or $100 dollar donation counts
as pennies in an ocean, these are honest, hard working folks who most likely
don’t have much to begin with. How can you possibly sleep at night in your
mansion knowing this? The sheer guilt would drive me insane – and trust me – I
don’t feel guilty about much, but this would do it.
3. Senator, I admire you for
bringing this issue into the light – I really do. Even as an atheist, I care
about the human condition and people abusing others in the name of greed. Even
if it’s in the name of religion. I’m glad I read this article so that I can
spread the word. However. A questionnaire? You have got to be kidding me. Where
are your balls at Senator? Asking some benign questions is not going to solve
this problem. Asking preliminary
questions leads to offshore accounts popping up all over the place. People may
be broken hearted that their money was abused, but if you go after the abusers,
perhaps a little bit of faith can be restored. Who cares if you piss off the
religious right? It’s so much more
important to do the right thing and stop these people from using power to abuse
others.
People,
it’s important to know where your money is going. If you choose to donate to
any organization (and I highly encourage supporting your legitimate
church/charity of your choice), make doubly sure you know who is receiving that
money and how it is being used. I’m pretty sure that none of the people who
donated to these corrupt televangelists meant to finance their mansions,
vacations, or Mercedes. There are plenty of organizations that exist to better
the human condition worldwide. It’s very much worth investigating first. Faith
is well and good as long as it’s backed up by facts. Donations aren’t like taxes. You really,
honestly, freely give to someone else. You have not only the say in where that
money goes, but the responsibility to investigate the receiver as well.
Good
night, and good luck.
Becky
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