Last fall Senator Charles Grassley announced an investigation into the financial wrongdoings of several television ministries, including that of famed televangelist Kenneth Copeland. That’s not news. I did, however, just learn from the Wittenburg Door that Mike Huckabee appeared on Copeland’s show six times in November, around the same time that Grassley was beginning his investigation. Here’s what Huckabee had to say about the investigation:
Kenneth Copeland, I will stand with you! You’re trying to get prosperity to the people, and they’re [the Senate] trying to take it away from ‘em. I will stand with you anytime, anywhere, on any issue!
He goes on to say that he would gladly oppose the Senate’s investigation of Copeland and others because “they only have an 11 percent approval rating.” The former Governor also encouraged viewers to send support to the billionaire evangelist. Its a short leap to imagine, as the Door points out, that Huckabee is personally benefiting from his relationship with Copeland.
I’ve picked on Huckabee quite a bit over the past weeks. Every time I’m ready to move on to a new subject more evidence appears. Its hard to understand how he’s gotten this far in the race. It would be funny if he weren’t running for President. There is a bit of honest humor here though. Now it is completely safe to mention the name Mike Huckabee in the same sentence as Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar and, dare I even say it, Robert Tilton.
Kenneth Copeland may be wealthy by a lot of standards, but I don’t think he’s a billionaire. You might want to support that claim with some proof.
Hi Jason, and thanks for reading. You raise a good point, I didn’t go very far in verifying this point. And, after a bit of searching this morning I think you’re probably right, I wasn’t able to find any evidence of Copeland’s billions. For the purposes of this post I’m willing to take Copeland at his word. In the 5th clip from the top on this page (sorry for not providing a direct link to the clip), Copeland claims to have been a billionaire for years. I’ll assume that he was trying to impress his viewers.
After watching the video I see the misunderstanding. I don’t think it would be as apparent to someone who has never heard Kenneth Copeland speak before or who has never heard the type of thing he preaches about. As it happens, I have had occasion to hear him speak (not in person) and I am aware of his “message.”
First of all, it should be clarified that he clearly says that his MINISTRY has brought in $1.3 Billion…in 41 years (which comes out to an average of $31.7 million a year, a tidy sum to be sure but hardly an unheard of figure for a large ministry). He also mentions that the ministry brought in $100 million last year (although he says you could add about $150 million total to the $1.3 billion figure since it’s been a couple of years since they did that calculation).
Now, when he says that HE is a billionaire he is actually exercising one of the tenets of his faith… Copeland and many others believe that you pray and ask God for something and claim it (by speaking it out loud). Saying that he is a billionaire would be him making a faith statement. If you are aware of what he believes it is quite obvious as to what he is saying and why he is saying it. At the last part of the video he even says that he is “a billionaire in the Kingdom…(of God)”
I obviously do not agree with your article but I do respect you for taking the time to address what I felt was an inaccuracy (and making a correction). Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinions and the expression thereof.
I’m certainly claim no particular fondness for Copeland, but its a free country and I support his right to lead his ministry as he sees fit. If he is in fact taking advantage of America’s tax leniency for religious organizations then I trust that Grassley’s investigation will bring this to light.
“Copeland and many others believe that you pray and ask God for something and claim it”
As a Christian I don’t personally agree with this, but I don’t have a problem with Copeland believing it either.
What I do have a problem with is someone (Huckabee) whom I perceive as having questionable ethics taking leadership of the country. His record on pardons, his record on receiving gifts, his family… there is an alarming amount of evidence that indicate a lack of character. He can do whatever he’d like in ministry, but I don’t believe he’s fit to lead the country.
I think Christians need to cheer on Sen. Grassley… we need televangelist reform.
I just released a salary survey for Christian execs, see it here:
http://www.freegoodnews.com/2008/01/2008-salary-rev.html
…Bernie
Mr Leonard, Firts of all Mr Copeland hasnt been found guilty of anything and is not going to need pardoning so your heading is a tad bit premature. Matter of fact I’d bet everything I have that You will need pardoning before Mr Copeland ever does.
You say You are a Christian but demagoguery, vitriolic conjecture and hyperbole are hardly the marks of a Christian. Th bIble talks about “Evil Surmisals” IE making accusations or insinuations without evidence .
You are certainly free to exercise your vote against Huckabee but you would do well to leave Copeland out of it
Hi Stevem, thanks for stopping by. I’ll answer your comment point by point. Before I do that though, I’d like to reiterate that this post is not intended to be about Copeland. Yes, I make comments that clearly illustrate my views of his ministry. I’m interested in electing a quality candidate, and bringing forward info that I believe will help people make an informed decision. Whatever my views of Copeland, I’m not much interested in addressing them here. This blog is intended to be a place to discuss the candidates, not religion.
“Mr Copeland hasn’t been found guilty of anything”
Please re-read my post. Nowhere in the post do I claim that he has been found guilty.
“I’d bet everything I have that You will need pardoning before Mr Copeland ever does.”
Um, okay. I’ll let you.
“You say You are a Christian but demagoguery, vitriolic conjecture and hyperbole are hardly the marks of a Christian.”
I don’t even know what these words mean, so I guess I’ll have to take your word for it. I’ll concede this point out of ignorance.
“Th bIble talks about ‘Evil Surmisals’ IE making accusations or insinuations without evidence.”
Please send scripture references. Statements of what the bible says are meaningless without references. I will not take your word for it, and I’ll want to read the verses myself before deciding if I agree with your interpretation of the passage.
“You are certainly free to exercise your vote against Huckabee but you would do well to leave Copeland out of it”
So I’m free to have and express opinions about Huckabee, but not Copeland? Is that what you’re suggesting? You’re making him sound more like a cult leader than minister.
I’ve been there, that’s why I am here.
Exactly who does have a right to question Copeland about where the money goes? Copeland put on a exhalent performance at his latest ministers conference, visible at http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/copelandclips , in which has now gotten the attention of people all across the USA, and abroad. If I didn’t personally know better, one would actually think he cares about the protection of all his followers (partners),that pour money into his ministry. Requesting a summery of my mothers (Bonnie Parker) contributions, a long time partner of KCM, we like Grassley got little or no response. (Request viewable at http://sis359.blogspot.com/ ). If their partners aren’t entitled to this privileged information, even though they are funding this lavish lifestyle KCM has grown very accustom to, nor is the Senate entitled either, then who is? The IRS perhaps? Are the teachings of the Prosperity Gospel message being misconstrued? Do we, any of us, have a valid argument, or the right to ask for these records ? I believe with all my heart, we should let the ones affected most by this money making scam have a say in determining the answer to those questions..
“ I had a home“, “I had a life“, “I had faith“, “I had a family“, “I lost a loved one“, “I have no clue what the truth is anymore!” “I will never trust any form of religion.” these are merely a handful of endless testimonies coming to light nationwide. Ranging from all walks of life, their heartbreaking testimonies can be found throughout the web, yet inconceivably, victims are being labeled as fools, ignorant, and basically downright blind for not seeing the truth behind the Prosperity Gospels falsehoods. ” Being only human, our quest for health and wealth, regrettably does lead some in the wrong direction. Promises and guaranties, made by the Prosperity Gospel ministers, give people that have not obtained these blessings on their own, a second chance at achieving their goals in life. An important discovery I made while reviewing testimonies, revealed the fact numerous victims had very little knowledge of the Prosperity Gospels dark side. These unfortunate victims, appear to be equipped with only a small portion of the web of deceit these ministers weave . Picture yourself being raised in a small country town, with a population of only a few hundred, the closest city, only a population of only a few thousand. Computers, internet, cable, satellite TV, and other high tech gadgets are not needed or desired. You are living a simple , solemn life you wouldn’t trade for any amount of cash. After your working day is done, you gladly remove your shoes, kick back in your easy chair, and relax without a care in the world for a while. After flipping on the TV to view the local evening news broadcast, you are reminded to give thanks that you don’t have the worries that accompany life outside the safe haven of your home, and your community. Religion is your safeguard, your faith is strong, and you have no doubts about the truth behind your sacred beliefs. This was my life, before KCM.
Prosperity Gospel ministers enter the homes of many victims though a thirty minute Sunday morning worship service on a local broadcast station. Growing up in Jigger La., truly located in the middle of nowhere, I can testify to the fact that we only received on a clear day about three or four channels at most. Warnings of dangers associated with Prosperity Gospel ministries, made by critics, ministers, and victims go unheard, therefore tragically for many, when the realization of this scam is discovered it is already to late. Family’s have lost their homes, lifesavings, and some even their lives due to the Prosperity Gospels misleading doctrines. Unfortunately my mother was not one of the lucky ones, her confidence, and faith in this false Gospel, ultimately cost her, her life. After more than a decade of programming her mind to believe and think the Prosperity Gospel way of life, she lost her battle with cancer. By refusing medical attention, she sealed her fate, but the programming she had acquired from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland proved strong all the way to her last breath. A diary she left behind revealed the horrific tale of her life from 1992-2002, the top of each page titled with Kenneth Copeland, Gloria Copeland, or BVOV. Some mistakes in life we can not undo, and good intentions don’t always go as planed, these victims are simply following misleading promises of health and wealth. The use of miraculous healing confessions, and newly found wealth testimonies, are their sales pitch, sadly my mom among many other are proof that their sale pitch works. The possibility these Mega churches were misusing finances for personal luxuries is what brought this scam to the publics attention, not the loss of life, the financially bankrupt, and numerous homeless victims they have been left in the wake of this devastating hoax. So, do we continue blaming the victims, or do we stand up beside them, learn from there mistakes, and put an end to these senseless tragedies? Even I being a victims daughter have many lingering questions, such as follows, “How is it that some see the truth, and others do not?” ” What leads these victim to believe the unbelievable?” “ Are some more vulnerable to these sort of money making scams than others When all is said and done, perhaps they will be tagged, not as the Prosperity Gospel, but the false gospel. One Quote from Copelands mouth should erases any doubts of KCM innocence,
“It’s not yours, it’s God’s and you’re not going to get it and that’s something I’ll go to prison over. So, just get over it!”
The family of Bonnie Parker
sis359@gmail.com
Photo , before and after KCM,
http://picasaweb.google.com/sis359/BonnieParkerDiaryPhoto
Why not look at the letter trail and see the exact questions, answers and disclosures that were made.
http://www.kcm.org/news/index.php?p=news_article&cid=10&eid=23912855
2Ch 6:23 Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.
That Bonnie Parker story is being shopped all over the internet. It has obvious holes in it. Why didn’t they insist she see a doctor, stop the money flow? It is too much like a soap opera. If it happened, I condole the loss, but hope that good sense will come to all living bystanders. If it didn’t they are in worse trouble.
I am writing from india, i want to endorse kenneth copeland’s teachings on the blessing of God and that we are redeemed from the curse of the law through Jesus Christ. Poverty is a curse, I was born in a poor country under poverty but after I got saved, I have followed Copeland’s teaching and put it to practice. I tell you that I have been so prosperous in everything I do that I am no more poor and people in the society are really amazed with the God’s blessings over my life. My only explanation to them is that “Jesus came to give us life to it’s fullest”. I am blessed financially now. I give for the preaching of gospel in my country and around the world. God’s Word works in any circumstance no matter what, where and how bad the situation looks like..To Jesus be the glory.