Despite having grown up in a fundamentalist church, I generally am very open to and accepting of others’ religious beliefs.  But there is one set of religious leaders for whom I have no tolerance whatsoever: prosperity ministers.

Exemplified by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Paula White and T. D. Jakes, these ministries teach that there’s no reason to await your heavenly reward; you can have it right here and now.  And have it right here and now they do.  ”Private airplanes and boats.  A motorcycle sent by an anonymous supporter.  Vacations in Hawaii and cruises in Alaska.  Designer handbags.  A ring of emeralds and diamonds,”  said the New York Times in a recent article on some of these prosperity ministers.

What do you have to do to earn these earthly rewards, according to the prosperity ministers?  ”Their message,” says the New York Times: “[I]f you have sufficient faith in God and the Bible AND DONATE GENEROUSLY, God will multiply your offerings a hundredfold.”  (Emphasis mine.)  And lest you forget, those donations are tax-free.

Fortunately, my favorite curmudgeon Senator Charles Grassley has started a little crusade of his own, questioning the tax-exempt status of several of these ministries.  Despite being a firm believer in freedom of religion, I hope he and others continue their efforts to expose these ministers for what they are: spiritual pickpockets.