IN THEORY:

Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), a ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, recently requested records from six high-profile mega-churches after hearing reports that church leaders were leading lavish lifestyles. Most of the church leaders have agreed to help answer Grassley’s inquiries, but Rev. Creflo A. Dollar of World Changers Church International has taken a stand and won’t cooperate, insisting the investigation is an infringement on the separation of church and state. Do you think this investigation could violate that constitutional principle?

First of all, I would like to sincerely apologize for having misinterpreted Luke 19:27 in last week’s In Theory, but the whole point I was trying to make can be equally made by citing Matthew 10:34-36 instead.

Religion these days is pure big business. It is nothing like the very early 1900s when my grandfather was a popular preacher in downtown Los Angeles for what was then called the United Brethren Church, when preachers and church employees were expected to, and often had to make personal sacrifices for the sake of the church.

Now many preachers expect all the greatest possible perks, and to be able to use all the money collected in any way they see fit, without any supervision.

The ability to do so clearly leads to corruption, as exemplified by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Many ministries simply operate as money-making corporations and ignore tax rules. They should obey all the laws and rules that other nonprofit corporations have to obey. Greater oversight of all churches is long overdue.

JERRY PARKS

Member

Humanist Assn. of Orange County

Over-paid clergy? What a concept!

Faith communities should exemplify transparency in ways we operate, including finances. Ministers should eagerly open ourselves to questioners who wonder how Christlike we are trying to be. True humility is thinking of yourself in the same ways you think of others.

Let’s get real. If worshipers believe in the appalling gospel of wealth rather than in the appealing Gospel Paul preached, and if they want their leaders to live extravagantly, then OK, but let’s be honest about practicing what we preach.

And, let’s elect representatives who will update laws to confront contemporary realities.

I agree with Sen. Grassley.

(The Very Rev’d Canon) Peter D. Haynes

Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church

Corona del Mar

The question of whether or not an investigation needs to take place would not have ever arisen if the prosperity movement had never taken hold.

While most clergy did not take a vow of poverty, we did go into the ministry intentionally to serve others.

Jesus preached that the kingdom of God is not about material wealth: He said, “Blessed are the poor” and “It’s harder for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to experience the kingdom of God.”

So, the truth is, it burns me to see people claiming to follow Jesus who refuse to listen to the words of Jesus. I don’t think pastors should be poor, and I do not really mind if they are rich either, but I do mind if they hide behind the veil of religion to break the law and avoid accountability.

We are legally responsible to disclose our church finances. I do not perceive it as an infringement upon separation of church and state or an inappropriate breach of trust. Those who tremble at transparency raise red flags! Ministers who are taking advantage of the system hurt us all and are not true Christians!

Rev. Sarah Halverson

Fairview Community Church

Costa Mesa