Editing Televangelism (section)

===Senate probe===
In 2007, [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[Chuck Grassley]] opened a probe into the finances of six televangelists who preach a "[[prosperity gospel]]".<ref>{{cite press release|url = https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-information-six-media-based-ministries |title = Grassley seeks information from six media-based ministries|date = 6 November 2007|access-date = 4 July 2018|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705093921/https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-information-six-media-based-ministries |archive-date = 5 July 2018}}</ref> The probe investigated reports of lavish lifestyles by televangelists including fleets of [[Rolls-Royce (car)|Rolls-Royces]], palatial mansions, private jets, and other expensive items purportedly paid for by television viewers who donate due to the ministries' encouragement of offerings. The six that were investigated are:

*[[Kenneth Copeland|Kenneth]] and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas;
*[[Creflo Dollar]] and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Georgia;
*[[Benny Hinn]] of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas;
*[[Eddie L. Long]] of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Georgia (''DocuSeries – Sex Scandals and Religion'' did a 2011 investigative episode on his alleged sexual misconduct);<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.earthbook.tv/religion/channelhome/channelvideos/150/630/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529025257/http://www.earthbook.tv/religion/channelhome/channelvideos/150/630/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 May 2011 |title=Sex Scandals In Religion – Ep. 4: IN THE NAME OF THE LORD |publisher=Earthbook.tv |access-date=20 October 2011 }}</ref>
*[[Joyce Meyer]] and David Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Missouri; 
*Randy White and ex-wife [[Paula White]] of the Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Florida. <ref>{{cite news|agency=The Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-11-07-televangelist-probe_N.htm |title=Sen. Grassley probes televangelists' finances |work=USA Today |date=7 November 2007 |access-date=20 October 2011}}</ref>

On January 6, 2011, Grassley released his review of the six ministries response to his inquiry{{Clarify|reason=What does this sentence mean?  Did he release his review of the organizations, or did he release his review of their responses? If the latter, shouldn't it be "...six ministries' responses...?"|date=March 2025}}. He called for a further congressional review of tax-exemption laws for religious groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://finance.senate.gov/newsroom/ranking/release/?id=5fa343ed-87eb-49b0-82b9-28a9502910f7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108051906/http://finance.senate.gov/newsroom/ranking/release/?id=5fa343ed-87eb-49b0-82b9-28a9502910f7 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 January 2011 |title=The United States Senate Committee on Finance: Newsroom – Ranking Member's News |publisher=Finance.senate.gov |date=6 January 2011 |access-date=20 October 2011}}</ref>