Criticism and controversy Benny Hinn

1 criticism , controversy

1.1 question of miracles
1.2 believe in miracles
1.3 ministry watch issues donor alert
1.4 senate investigation

criticism , controversy

a controversial aspect of hinn s ministry teaching on, , demonstration of, phenomenon dubs anointing —the power purportedly given god , transmitted through hinn carry out supernatural acts. @ miracle crusades, has allegedly healed attendees of blindness, deafness, cancer, aids, , severe physical injuries. however, investigative reports los angeles times, nbc s dateline, cbc s fifth estate, , 9 network s 60 minutes have called these claims question.

hinn has caused controversy theological remarks , claims has made during tv appearances. in 1999, hinn appeared on trinity broadcasting network, claiming god had given him vision predicting resurrection of thousands of dead people after watching network—laying out scenario of people placing dead loved ones hands on tv screens tuned station—and suggesting tbn extension of heaven earth.

a question of miracles

in april 2001, hbo aired documentary entitled question of miracles focused on hinn , well-documented fellow word-of-faith german minister based in africa, reinhard bonnke. both hinn , bonnke offered full access events documentary crew, , documentary team followed 7 cases of miracle healings hinn s crusade on next year. film s director, antony thomas, told cnn s kyra phillips did not find cases people healed hinn. thomas said in new york times interview if had seen miracles [from hinn s ministry], have been happy trumpet it... in retrospect, think more damage christianity committed atheist.

believe in miracles

in november 2004, cbc television show fifth estate did special titled believe in miracles on apparent transgressions committed benny hinn s ministry.

with aid of hidden cameras , crusade witnesses, producers of show demonstrated hinn s apparent misappropriation of funds, fabrication of truth, , way in staff chose crusade audience members come on stage proclaim miracle healings. in particular, investigation highlighted fact desperate miracle seekers attend hinn crusade—the quadriplegics, brain-damaged, virtually visibly obvious physical condition—are never allowed on stage; attempt in line of possible healings intercepted , directed return seats.

at 1 canadian service, hidden cameras showed mother carrying muscular dystrophy-afflicted daughter, grace, being stopped 2 screeners when attempted line possible blessing hinn. screeners asked mother if grace had been healed, , when mother replied in negative, told return seats; pair got out of line, grace, wanting pastor benny pray [her], asked mother support tried walk show of faith in action, according mother. after several unsuccessful attempts @ walking, pair left arena in tears, both mother , daughter visibly upset @ being turned aside , crying explained undercover reporters grace had wanted hinn pray her, staffers rushed them out of line when found out grace had not been healed. week later @ service in toronto, baptist evangelist justin peters, wrote masters in divinity thesis on benny hinn , has attended numerous hinn crusades since 2000 part of research thesis , seminar developed word of faith movement entitled call discernment, demonstrated hidden cameras people me —peters has cerebral palsy, walks arm-crutches, , , visibly disabled— never allowed on stage [...] s has disability or disease cannot readily seen. grace , mother, peters intercepted came out of wheelchair section (there 1 @ every crusade, situated @ of audience, far away stage, , never filmed hinn s tv show) in attempt join line of waiting go onstage, , told take seat.

this segment later edited new footage , shown on dateline: nbc in november 2005.

ministry watch issues donor alert

in march 2005, ministry watch issued donor alert against ministry. benny hinn ministries not member of evangelical council financial accountability.

senate investigation

critics accuse hinn of using ministry s gulfstream g4sp jet personal vacations funded tax-free donations.

in 2007, united states senator chuck grassley announced investigation of hinn s ministry united states senate committee on finance. in letter bhm, grassley asked ministry divulge financial information senate committee on finance determine if hinn made personal profit financial donations, , requested hinn s ministry make information available. investigation scrutinized 5 other televangelists: paula white, kenneth copeland, eddie l. long, joyce meyer, , creflo dollar. in december 2007, hinn said not respond inquiry until 2008. ministry subsequently responded inquiry, , grassley said ...benny hinn [has] engaged in open , honest dialogue committee staff. have not provided responses every question but, in spirit of true cooperation, have provided information on , above requested.

the investigation concluded in 2011 no penalties or findings of wrongdoing. final report raised questions personal use of church-owned luxury goods , lack of financial oversight on ministries boards, populated family , friends of televangelist. hinn s group reported committee complied tax regulations , had made changes in compensation , governance procedures.