What do Churches Have To Hide? Lack of Fiscal Accountability

[stromboli]

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/crossexamined/2014/05/what-do-churches-have-to-hide-accountability-open-books/

What Would Jesus Do?
Let’s remember what religion we’re talking about. It’s the religion that tells the story of the rich man who was too attached to his wealth to follow Jesus’s command, “Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mark 10:17â€"31). It’s the religion in which Jesus will say to the worthy people, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:31â€"46). And, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:25). And, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth … but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven … for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19â€"21).
Apparently Jesus didn’t care much for rich people but cared greatly for the poor. How do you suppose he would react to churches being secretive today about how they spend the money given to them? About churches exempting themselves from the requirement to open their books?
Some groups are trying to fix this problem. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability imposes on its members standards of financial accountability and transparency. It’s a nice step. I wish all large ministries and churches followed these rules.
MinistryWatch is a clearinghouse that compares financial and governance information from ministries. But this is just a baby step. MinistryWatch has only about 500 ministries in their list when there are an estimated 350,000 congregations in the U.S.
And many of the ministries don’t get a five-star rating. In fact, those who get zero or one star are a Who’s Who of high-profile televangelists and religious newsmakers: Benny Hinn, Rod Parsley, Creflo Dollar, Paul and Jan Crouch and the Trinity Broadcasting Network, John Hagee, Kenneth Copeland, TD Jakes, R.C. Sproul, Chuck Colson, Harold Camping’s Family Radio, and Ken Ham’s Answers in Genesis.
Some churches are open about their finances, but only to members. According to one survey, 92% of churches provide financial information upon request to members. Why is this not 100%? And what good is this to the U.S. taxpayer who wants to verify the claimed benefit that churches provide a good to society that earns them nonprofit status? Compare this with the financial records of the more than 1.5 million ordinary nonprofits easily accessible in a single database.

A request for change
Let’s make a simple, logical changeâ€"a change that helps churches look better. This cloud of doubt hangs over every church. The change costs churches and other ministries very little and makes things fair, and it shows that they have nothing to hide. Remove the exemption allowing churches to avoid providing financial information.
Some ministries will have to clean up their acts, but isn’t that a good thing? Doesn’t this benefit the Christians at the churches that spend their income honorably?

Accountability? From the likes of multimillionaire Benny Hin or Kenneth Copleand? I see this as a way of seriously giving a wedgie to xtian ministries, because there is a pretty clear set of scriptures here that does not favor the lack of transparency.

[AllPurposeAtheist]

They don't have to because the law doesn't make them. If the law don't force em then Jesus approves. 

[ApostateLois]

This just shows how easy it is to brainwash Christians. Most of them have no idea where their church's money actually goes. They are told it helps the poor or whatever, but how much of it really does? The congregations don't know, and they don't care, as long as they get a good sermon every Sunday. None of them can believe that a true "man of God" could misuse the money they give him to send to poor children in Nigeria.

The worst are people who give money to mega-churches and televangelists. They can plainly see that the preacher is living a life of absolute luxury and wealth while they themselves have to struggle for every dollar, yet they never stop giving him money! I really think it becomes an addiction with these people. They can't NOT donate money because it has been beaten into their heads that God blesses those who give.

[stromboli]

This just shows how easy it is to brainwash Christians. Most of them have no idea where their church's money actually goes. They are told it helps the poor or whatever, but how much of it really does? The congregations don't know, and they don't care, as long as they get a good sermon every Sunday. None of them can believe that a true "man of God" could misuse the money they give him to send to poor children in Nigeria.

The worst are people who give money to mega-churches and televangelists. They can plainly see that the preacher is living a life of absolute luxury and wealth while they themselves have to struggle for every dollar, yet they never stop giving him money! I really think it becomes an addiction with these people. They can't NOT donate money because it has been beaten into their heads that God blesses those who give.

Exactly. No wonder the Pat Robertsons and Kenneth Copelands are so supportive of the Republicans. Nobody wants anyone actually looking into where the money goes.

[Solitary]

It's all Obama's fault. What I like is how Obama is blamed for things the Republicans do with their filibustering. Who put in the faith based programs? If more people would protest the churches and Church not having to pay taxes and yet getting involved in politics they would have to pay taxes like everyone else, but they give people the promise of life over death with a reward of heaven by placating them, and the fear of hell if they don't. This is the power of lies and delusions with blind faith in Authority. Solitary

[phattmatt]

The OP made me want to Vomit!

[Mandingo]

If it were only that simple and easy.
They're hiding an obscene excess of exploitation, genocide, and organized crime on a truly global scale, over millennia.
They're hiding what is easily the greatest single crime committed against humanity in both historic and prehistoric times.