Victims.
Informants tell us scary stories; as victims, they have seen the worst side of religion.
The prosperity gospel gives rich people a justification for their greed, and poor people a false hope. It robs the most vulnerable and benefits few but the well-to-do pastors. “Name it, claim it” and wealthy churches are focused inward rather than outward. Forget calling the church office, “Our ministry mandates prohibit us from helping you (financially) but we will pray for you,” is one mantra a victim heard over and over in his time of need. Be warm, be fed sister. The victims.
Contrast.
The people who are getting rich in the name of God reveal the mystery of the universe in a strange way by showing what it is not. Everyone who is honest with themselves knows this in their gut.
Hypocrisy.
“Look how God is blessing me.” Lovely houses on the beach, a brand-new Range Rover or electric car, and maybe even a sleek jet at one’s disposal. Whatever it is that we secretly desire to ease our struggles. Many are frustrated, especially those connected with the prosperity gospel. Why don’t the preacher’s words match reality? When our eyes open, the self-seeking becomes obvious. For those setting themselves as examples, their life doesn’t match up with their words. Hypocrisy.
Transparency, accountability.
Transparency isn’t easy for organizations. I don’t like it any more than the next person. It takes time and effort to tell the donating public where the money goes. We recommend not giving money to organizations that don’t reveal where the money goes.
Regarding interpersonal relationships, confession reveals our true self-for-self nature, that we will do whatever benefits us the most, whether good or bad. However, it frees us from ourselves, from our hard human hearts to love others. Transparency, Accountability.
Appetite.
18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly (i.e. appetite for whatever, including for wealth and power), and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. (the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians 3:18-19)
What’s up with Trinity Foundation?
Our staff investigator, Barry Bowen, keeps filling in the underlying reasons why church scams and other religious fraud are so rampant and why the IRS is shackled and thwarted, with few resources and still fewer punitive tools at their disposal. He regularly assists other journalists and the public with his explanatory journalism.
Check out a few of our recent articles by Barry here:
Pastor Planes Tracking 63 Aircraft
Estimate: Christian Religious Leaders to Embezzle $86 Billion in 2024
Trinity Foundation apartment…
Lately, the past few months have been difficult. Trinity Foundation got involved with low-income housing decades ago. One of our two apartments was trashed back in February. Our long remodel is finally ending and these unexpected expenses have hurt our bottom line. Please consider giving to help our investigations.
Benny Hinn, the “Teflon Televangelist”
We have been following and investigating televangelist Benny Hinn for decades now. We helped a fledgling pre-politically oriented CNN in 1996-1997 with an exposé and helped Dateline NBC with two major exposés of Hinn and his organization in the early 2000s.
Some things we learned way back then, were never shared due to a court-ordered gag order that covered a particular individual and silenced us as well. All we can say now is that Hinn has had some pretty effective lawyers!
Recently, a pastor named Mike Winger broadcast a 4 ½ hour YouTube video about Hinn’s destructive antics. A few years ago, Hinn claimed to renounce the prosperity gospel and his decades-long high-pressure tactics to squeeze money out of poor, unwitting donors.
However, Winger clearly illustrates how Hinn has left a trail of victims and went right back to his old-money-grubbing self-seeking ways, despite a slick veneer of godliness.