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June 10th, 2012
02:07 PM ET
Megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar on his daughter: 'She was not punched'By Steve Almasy, CNN Atlanta (CNN) - Telling thousands of parishioners that he should never have been arrested, Pastor Creflo Dollar said at his Sunday morning service he neither choked nor punched his 15-year-old daughter, as she claimed in a report to police. Dollar, senior pastor of World Changers Church International in suburban Atlanta, told congregants in the sprawling megachurch and listening at one of more than a dozen satellite churches that when the facts of the case come out, they will be "appalled." "The truth is, she was not choked. She was not punched," Dollar said. On Friday, deputies responding to a 911 call photographed a scratch on the daughter's neck and arrested Dollar on charges of simple battery, family violence and child cruelty. Dollar said the mark on his daughter's neck is more than 10 years old, the result of eczema, a skin condition. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories "I want the church family to know that all is well in the Dollar household," he said, in his first public comments since spending more than 12 hours in jail. He immediately addressed the issue upon taking the pulpit Sunday, speaking for nearly eight minutes about the challenge of raising children and denying he had hurt to his daughter. After Dollar told the crowd about the skin abrasion, one man yelled, "Case dismissed!" Dollar's daughter said she argued with her father over attending a party, investigator Brent Rowan of the Fayette County Sheriff's Office told CNN on Friday. Rowan said the daughter told the deputies that her father charged her, put his hands around her throat and began to choke her, according to a police report. She said he then slammed her to the ground, punched her and beat her with his shoe. Deputies also spoke with another daughter, 19, who corroborated her sister's account of what happened. Follow the CNN Belief Blog on Twitter Dollar blamed the devil for causing the controversy, saying that to discredit his message of "prosperity gospel," the enemy must discredit the messenger. Prosperity ministers preach that God rewards the faithful with wealth and spiritual gifts. Pastors such as T.D. Jakes, Dollar and Joel Osteen have become the Prosperity Gospel's most well known preachers, building megachurches and business empires with a message equating piety with prosperity. Dollar's church claims about 30,000 members and has an $18 million, 8,500-seat sanctuary about 15 miles from downtown Atlanta. Friday's incident was emotionally charged and escalated from an argument, Dollar said Sunday. But he never intended bodily harm to anyone, he assured the audience. "I love her with all my heart," he said, shaking his head with conviction. Creflo Dollar's Prosperity Gospel finds followers and critics He cited a Bible verse from Psalms that talks about malicious witness against the good man, and evil men delighting when he stumbled. He later, during his sermon, also joked about the arrest, saying that being a religious man sent to jail "upped my resume." "Paul ... Jesus ... and Creflo," he said to a huge cheer. The pastor, known for his pinstriped suits, laughed at being clothed in a yellow jumpsuit and sandals while being handcuffed and being held in a cell. For most of the service, Dollar spoke of the people being "the righteousness of God by faith," the third in a series of sermons he prepared weeks ago, he said. "No weapon that forms against you shall prosper," he reminded the audience, citing scripture. At the end of the more than hourlong appearance, he said that he was persevering thanks to God's love. "And we couldn't do it without the love of you brothers and sisters." After the service, congregants declined to comment on Dollar's appearance. Since he started his ministry in an elementary school cafeteria in 1986, Dollar has earned praise and criticism. Supporters say he has preached a message that's financially empowered his parishioners and challenged the idea that Christians should be ashamed to be rich. Critics call him "Cash-Flow Dollar," and say his message perverts the Gospel. CNN's John Murgatroyd and John Blake contributed to this report. soundoff (2,056 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Just like the media to blow everything up n make things seems worse than is. First understand this guy aside from his position is only human like everyone else. I feel this is a one sided story. Sounds like the girl got irrate n dis-repectful (the part not emphasized by media) seems her dad kinda lost it for a sec. Better disclpine measures could've been used but...I say give him a "anger management" course- leave the guy along n let him tend his ministry. Nobodys putting a gun to people head to make them give. People give to casinos, lotteries, drug dealers, n the list goes on. So atleast he's pushing the "word of God". If they choose to give to him because it makes them feel good...then leave this guy along. God is the judge not us n it's unfair to stereotype all ministers due to some. So he made a mistake let's not crucify him just yet unless one can stand whose have never sinned..ok...thank you. Wordly people tend to be more critical and harsh. Good he has an understanding, n loving congregation. Thank God for ANY genuine Christians who can voice opinions from a non-blaming but Christian view-point.
Judging by the comments on this blog and the way CNN is blowing it up, you would think that he is charged with felony assault and felony child abuse. He is NOT charged with even a single felony.
The man assaulted his 15 year old daughter with intent to f her up!!! and his 19 year old daughter was a witness!! Go away retard!!!
Make Jesus smile today by slapping a Christian!
We don't slap atheists we just "lay hands on them in passionate prayer".
Why would the Devil try to undermine his own? 2 Cor 11:14,15- Satan transforms himself into and angel of light. It is therefore nothing great if his ministers transform themselves into angels of light.
and on the 5th day it is prophesized that he who feareth God shall cometh with the fury of seven tidal waves in the mouth of he who is called altar boy
Another pastor in the Atlanta area that is in the spotlight. Amazingly this one too will be swept under the rug just like the other pastor. Once the other pastor "settled" you haven't heard a peep about what happened. He goes another one, I'm sure you won't hear much about this clown. Where is Rev Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton to rescue this fool.? Exactly, not touching this one or getting near this one. Probably a good idea, let this fool keep lying about. The truth and how his daughters aren't telling the truth. What a dirt bag!
dollar gets his mug shot on national tv for a bogus misdemeanor and obozos commerce secretary has 3 hit and run felonies and no mug shot??
I'm suprised we have not heard the "racial" issue yet for this one. Oh, it's not racism if you are a "Pentecostal/Tongue Talking Preacher" it's just bias. Good point!
Oh yeah, everything's just FINE in the Dollar household.
Every happy family has one daughter claiming the dad assaulted her, and called the cops on him, and another daughter corroborating the first daughter's claims.
Dollar just publicly lied.
this all i see. the news always be clownin and tryin to bring down DECENT BLACK MEN. he said he didn't do it. why you not believin a PASTOR? brutha is boys with JESUS, OK!!??!!!!! dang, first Trayvon now dis
somehting was obviously going on for his daughter to call the police.
somehting?? sumtin going on with your spelling?? haaaaaaaaaaa
Any pastor who publicly calls his daughters lyers should be ashamed of himself. An innocent man does not need to devote an entire sermon defending his innocense while denoucing his daughters. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing and the truth will eventuallyl come out. This pastor, Joel Osteen and the likes are no better then JIm and Tammy Faye Baker...all in it for the money.
people keep on giving this punk money. amazing stuff, it is
when you learn to spell come back, but go back to your jail cell for your little buck....
kill him
If religions had to pay taxes like other businesses, it could really help our country get out of debt. No politician has the courage to even mention this subject.
if atheist like you would hang themselves then we wouldnt see you on this post........
Each member of a church pays income tax. The church itself, like any other non-profit organization, does not pay "income" (donation) tax, sales tax, property tax, etc. Essentially, a church is only a non-profit organization as there are no "owners" of the organization. But rest assured, each individual receiving profits or income from the church must pay the same taxes as you and I. They can opt out of paying FICA, but if they opt out, they will never receive Social Security or Medicare/Medicaid. So, just thought you should be aware of that.
@ Shut_Up
Not cool dude. If you have faith, you should crossed some lines brother/sister. You gotta let the Peace overwhelm you when you start feeling your blood rise like that. We aren't called to be defenders of the faith, we are called to be people who live the faith (whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Shinto, etc.). Live it brother and let God take care of the rest...
The first things we read about Jesus life is that he became a wealthy kid, when wise men from the East brought him Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. very expensive gifts. And forget the little cute figurines you see. They traveled by caravan and had camel loaded with the stuff. Jesus ministry was so well financed that his Treasurer (Judas) could steal from him and not hurt his ministry. See even Jesus knew that "Yes I can perform miracles"....but people need to develop a giving heart and spirit to sustain the earthly work presented by him."
People need to back down just a bit when they call Pastor Dollar a money hungered man. The Pope has a bullet proof car, Gold encrusted robe, Diamond studded hat and lives in his own city/state on the Italian Riviera. Is he a money hungered baron also.
Housing is not free, Food is not free...Traveling to inspire others is not free.
Hope you don't find the pope inspiring. What a creep.
God Bless You for shining your light with the TRUTH. Just know, the people perish for lack of knowledge.
Men ought to always pray and faint not.
Luke 9:58 "Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.""
Wealth? Jesus was homeless!
The first things we read about Jesus life is that he became a wealthy kid, when wise men from the East brought him Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. very expensive gifts. And forget the little cute figurines you see. They traveled by caravan and had camel loaded with the stuff. Jesus ministry was so well financed that his Treasurer (Judas) could steal from him and not hurt his ministry. See even Jesus knew that "Yes I can perform miracles"....but people need to develop a giving heart and spirit to sustain the earthly work presented by him."
People need to back down just a bit when they call Pastor Dollar a money hungered man. The Pope has a bullet proof car, Gold encrusted rode, Diamond studded hat and lives in his own city/state on the Italian Riviera. Is he a money hungered baron also.
Housing is not free, Food is not free...Traveling to inspire others is not free.
Just another liar supposedly working on behalf of God, the church is chock full of them these days. What a great cover for today's abusers and pedophiles...
Normally I ignore ignorance, but had to inform you just in case your friends (if you have any) have not, you are ignorant, sad, sad, sad,
yes, exactly
fr c5:
>...And you say I'm a bad father??? ...<
YES, You ARE a bad "father".
Who do you believe the choker or the chokee. As the infamous dick cheney said, its not torture its enhanced interrogation.
Amazingly, I didn't need to know this man abuses his daughter to dislike him.
And Jesus said to the man 'give away all your possesions to the poor and follow me.' But the preacher did not want to do this and started telling his flock that Jesus wanted them to be rich and successful.
Liar.
This guy sounds like a grade-A piece of garbage; if a person makes a cal to the police and another person backs that story up, there shouldn't be any question, then using the old "it was the work of the devil" line is just as bad; straight up trash.
a cal to police?? spelling one of your strong points?? haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Time to do AWAY with all the PROSPERITY ministers. And all of their arrogance!!!!!
As opposed to the humility of other ministers?
Anyone who claims to speak for god or who claims to know what god is or what god wants is arrogant beyond belief.
No matter what robes you are wearing, no matter what ancient scripture you are following, it is arrogant.
flada: either arrogant, or corrupt
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