You can say what you want about the ministries named here. One thing is certain; if a senator showed up on my doorstep asking for my financials outside what is obligated by law the door would slam firmly in his/her face. Compliance with IRS regulations provide plenty of papertrails for assessing abuse of funds and the IRS is quite proficient at auditing, needing no help from 'interested' senators. Allowing the government to pry open the doors of the Church through means outside that of stated law is an intrusion that simply cannot be allowed. Once the toe is in the door, the foot would follow, then the leg... and so on. In the day which we live, where Chrisianity is the black sheep of the religious family, we no more need governmental meddling than we need so-called 'christians' trampling on the blood of Christ with their sham of a witness flying for all to see. I support those who say use the proper channels and do not try to sneak in through back door.

[quote]"The selective investigation only of churches that preach the 'Word of Faith' message raises significant concerns as to whether the inquiry is aimed at publicly questioning the religious beliefs of the targeted churches, their preachers and their members," lawyer Shane Hamilton of Washington, D.C., wrote on behalf of Copeland.[/quote]

There is a correlation but not necessarily causation. It could also be that preachers who teach a love of money are also more likely to misappropriate donations for their lavish lifestyles.