Business of church

Defending and propagating one's religion in a secular society isn't easy. One must be steadfast to overcome obstacles and critics. However, sometimes defenders of a faith can go too far.\nRather than being the men of God they profess to be, televangelists now seem to be a mix of sheep and wolves. Some of them genuinely care about doing God's work, but they are overshadowed by those who use God only as a cash cow.\nThis spring break, I had the opportunity to watch a lot of late night TV and found myself coming across televangelist programs more and more.\nWhat I found strange -- and downright deceitful -- was that they claimed to "shower God's blessings upon you" and "cure all of your ills," but only if you sent money to their program, of course.\nFor example, there's Mike Murdock. He is a televangelist from Denton, Texas. According to his Web site, "Pursuing, Proclaiming and Publishing the Wisdom of God is Our divine Assignment." Talking about the wisdom of God seems to be his hook. He does it through Internet broadcasts, TV programs and various books he sells.\nPeddling the word of God has proven to be a very lucrative business for Murdock. According to a March 3, 2003, article in Star-Telegram, Murdock routinely uses a Cessna Citation 500, a personal jet worth about $500,000, for conference appearances throughout the country. Ministry staff members also take care of his personal estate and run personal errands for him.\nThe biggest problem is that on his program, Murdock asks for personal gifts. These gifts include $50 to $100 donations for his personal use. The Star-Telegram article also detailed a gift request in 1996 during which Murdock's ministry received so much cash that they was able to buy him a Corvette for his 50th birthday. \nAs despicable as Murdock is for requesting personal donations, at least he is honest about where the money actually goes. Not all televangelists are so honest.\nBenny Hinn is one of those guys who puts his hands on you and is supposedly able to cure all of your physical and mental problems. According to his Web site, his main purpose "will always be winning souls to Jesus Christ." \nThis sounds all well and good, but there's a dark side to Benny Hinn. A 2002 "Dateline" MSNBC report uncovered evidence of fraud in his ministry.\nIn an analysis of that program, and the follow-up program that aired Sunday, The Jamaica Observer said the controversy revolved around the fund raising for a new orphanage in Mexico. \nDateline uncovered evidence that construction wasn't actually taking place, yet Hinn was still collecting donations.\nIn addition, the pastor's lavish lifestyle has come into question -- one that would make P. Diddy jealous. The pastor often stays in presidential suites of four-star hotels in exotic countries. That's not even including his modes of transportation and housing.\nWhy does a man of God need to live that way? Jesus wasn't rollin' on dubs when he was preaching. Why should Hinn?\nI don't oppose evangelical outreach efforts. Some evangelists are doing a good job preaching in an honest way and accomplishing laudable goals.\nHowever, as a Christian myself, it makes me physically ill to see con artists like Murdock and Hinn claiming to preach the Christian faith. These guys are profiteers who exploit the deepest personal beliefs of people who often don't know any better.\nFrauds like claiming to build an orphanage in a Third World country, then putting the money in your personal bank account, is downright sinful.\nI just hope these guys are ready to explain themselves to God.