Benny Hinn Runs Lucrative Operation

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/22238/benny-hinn-prosperity-gospel-scam

Sep. 1, 2008

RALEIGH - Thousands of church services will take place in the
Triangle today, but none is likely to match the religious — and
financial — performance that has already come and gone in Raleigh.

Through two days of four-hour services last week, a racially diverse
collection of believers crammed into Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium to
receive the Holy Spirit, sing along with a rocked-out gospel band,
and to maybe find a cure where doctors had failed.

They came to see the Rev. Benny Hinn, an international preacher and
native of Israel who claims that, through the power of the Holy
Spirit, sick people are supernaturally healed in his presence.

Where he preaches, women cry. Men do, too. And the spirit knocks
people to the floor when Pastor Benny waves his hand.

The `prosperity Gospel' is a scam
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound
instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, {4} he is
conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in
controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife,
malicious talk, evil suspicions {5} and constant friction between men
of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that
godliness is a means to financial gain. {6} But godliness with
contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into the world,
and we can take nothing out of it. {8} But if we have food and
clothing, we will be content with that. {9} People who want to get
rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and
harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. {10} For
the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager
for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with
many griefs.
- The Bible, 1 Timothy 6:3-10 NIV

Research resources on Prosperity Teaching
Comments & resources by ReligionNewsBlog.comHinn is one of the
country's best-known faith healers, with a television ministry that
claims viewership in more than 200 countries.
[...]

Hinn preaches a version of the prosperity gospel, which holds that
God wants his followers to have financial wealth. To become
prosperous, one must give money to God, who returns it multiplied.

"The only way to get out of debt is to give to God's work," Hinn said
during the Friday morning service. He then challenged his
audience. "It doesn't take a whole lot of faith for $50."

Instead, he asked for $1,000. Those who wrote checks or filled out
their credit card information for $1,000 donations (the form was on
the outside of the envelopes distributed by the ushers) were asked to
come to the stage. About 70 did, holding their envelopes in the air.

Hinn shouted his elation.

"Thank you, Jesus!"

Despite his success, Hinn is not universally loved. A Durham street
preacher protested outside Thursday night's service, shouting "Benny
Hinn is a false prophet!"

In an interview, the Rev. Stephen Davey of Cary's Colonial Baptist
Church was just as direct. "The long and short of it, I think he's a
con man."
[...]

Benny Hinn Ministries is headquartered near Dallas, although Hinn
lives in California, near the ministry's TV studio.

It takes money for an organization as big as Hinn's to travel the
world, sponsor orphanages in Third World countries and produce "This
is Your Day!," the ministry's hallmark television program.

Benny Hinn Ministries is a tax-exempt organization. It does not
release specific financial reports, according to its Web site,
because the ministry is "mindful of the fact that both corporate and
ministry financial reports can be manipulated by unscrupulous people
with unsavory agendas."

Hinn travels by private jet. Several years ago, an NBC television
investigation estimated the ministry brings in $100 million annually.
The envelopes passed out at his services feature a box that givers
can check if they would like to pledge $10,000. Efforts to reach a
ministry spokesman were unsuccessful.

http://www.bennyhinn.org/default.cfm