Follow-up on The Church Business: Creflo Dollar publicizes his church's earnings

Last week I posted an article on the The Church Business, which covered specifically a probe into the exploits of several preachers from the Atlanta area as well as other news regarding the marriage of Christianity and free market capitalism.

As an update to that story, Creflo Dollar, the pastor of World Changers Church International in College Park, Ga. (and pictured here), announced his church's earnings this weekend, which checked in around $69 million in 2006.

The article here brings in the perspectives from both sides of Senator Charles Grassley's probe into Dollar's income.

As many of us know, "the government treads carefully when it comes to walking in religion’s orchard. The federal government does not tax ministries." By not taxing ministries, it certainly makes embezzlement a relatively simple task. While ostensibly, there should be a level of trust associated with a preacher, as Dollar seems to imply, the law in this case — appropriately — trusts no one and is searching simply for information:

"Grassley said his probe has nothing to do with religion. 'I’m not interested in doctrine, just the tax laws,' he said. He has looked at the high-roller lifestyles of TV ministers and wonders whether church leaders are using the breaks given to them to enrich themselves."

Justifiably, "Dollar said he understands the senator’s worries but is concerned at the same time about the government sticking its nose into religion’s business. Dollar said he is having legal experts look over the senator’s request."

I think this is perfectly plausible; Dollar not only does not take a salary from the church, but he also has investments in other lucrative interests. The point the article seems to say, though, that the vast wealth of some of the largest U.S. churches seem focused on something other than God, saying:

Dollar is particularly concerned the government may be trying to divine what people can or cannot believe. And Dollar believes in prosperity.

The six religious broadcast empires under the gun all preach and teach forms of a gospel that justifies the accumulation of money and material goods as one sign of God’s blessing. It includes benefits like health, a good family life and benevolence toward others.

"It is an American-born faith that mixes Christianity with capitalism, individualism and materialism," said Shayne Lee, a Tulane University sociologist who studies megachurches and religion.

It became popular in the 1980s, with Reaganism, a rising stock market, growing middle class and consumerism.

As early 20th century sociologist Max Weber once aptly observed (as well have many others), the capitalist drive to accumulate wealth supports a Protestant work ethic that seeks God's favor with a similar zeal.

In this respect, preachers proposing that wealth is a reflection of spiritual health has been around for centuries. Yet, tithing to support the church has been around for all ages, and with all the excess money that people have at their disposal, is it surprising that these churches make a lot of money? Especially since the church runs without government support, it needs to be upheld by its parishioners.

Everyone rails Scientology because it's "only a scam," and people have to pay money in order to receive "higher revelations." Yet, as I've reported from time to time — Tom Cruise notwithstanding — Scientology has helped many people. The question is: Do they just look crazy because they are up front about running their church like a business?

EDIT/UPDATE: Here are some more links on Grassley's probe, including someone railing on Scientology! (that's kind of funny)

Also, see here to read about the whole story again, and here for more information on televangelist Kenneth Copeland's private jet.