Charlatan Benny Hinn faces Senate

Benny Hinn has long been a nuisance to me for several reasons. The first nuisance is that of dealing with his supporters, who use experiences, and feelings to defend his antics instead of the scriptures. The second is actually hearing the lies this man spews. He told me to get close to the TV one day so he could blow the Holy Spirit on me. He also told me that if I sent him $30 dollars, he would send me a personalized "holy handkerchief" that has been anointed and will bring you great success monetarily. For the sake of the unbeliever, I wish I was kidding about this buffoon. England won't even let this man in. They consider him a religious extremist. Hilarious!

He gets away with it because of the ignorance of the nation when it comes to biblical matters. The man is no doubt a charlatan, and a hireling. I remember watching this creep when I was in Bible college thinking, do people really believe this guy. Millions of people flock to this man in hopes that he can heal their ailments or that they can see some great thing from God. Ever since the creation of time there have always been men who take advantage of the simple masses by citing divination (as Binny Hinn claims). By "simple", I am not meaning stupid, but rather naive. Benny Hinn is no different than the religious war-lords that use religion for financial gain, he just steals money with a smile and a napkin instead of a machete and ransomed food.

His ministries are reported to take 100 million a year, and that's what has Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa has contention with. He and the Senate Finance Committee has launched a full investigation into Hinn's and 5 other megachurches to see if they are "using their tax-exempt status to further God's work, or to fund their own luxuries like mansions, expensive cars and private jets." They are also asking for proof of actual healing from the "Holy Spirit Miracle Crusades", because he has taken money, and gifts, and centered his entire ministry (which he has) on his ability to heal the blind, and to make the crippled walk. The self-proclaimed "little messiah" has been asked to provide documentation and verification that the people who actually attend his crusades are actually sick or suffering from infirmities in the first place. What a reproach this man has been for years! It makes me physically sick knowing that my pastor works 2 to 3 jobs, pastors 2 churches (on Sundays he preaches at both on the same day), and manages to take car of his wife and 9 kids. And this lug nut is out there telling people that "poverty is of the devil", and God wants "all Christians to be prosperous" while he is globe trotting in his private jet.

There haven't been many details released by the committee, but it's good to know we are using those tax dollars to investigate scam artists, and con men. There are no more contemptible or deplorable men then those who would use the name of God, the Bible, or Jesus Christ to embezzle or commit fraud. The summation of Benny Hinn and his crusades are nothing more than large-scale confidence scams that rake in 100 million a year to provide these "quacks" mansions, extravagant cars, luxurious private jets (1.5 million a year to operate), and a parsonage (if you can call his new 10 million dollar mansion on the Pacific coast, 7200 square feet, 7 bedrooms, and a 5 car garage home a parsonage, knock yourself out).

Mountebank - "One who mounts a bench or state in the market or other public place, boast of his skill in curing diseases, vends medicines which he pretends are infallible remedies, and thus deludes the ignorant multitude. Persons of this character may be indicted and punished. Any boastful and false pretender." - Websters, 1828

"Organized religion began when the first scoundrel met the first fool."