Chan's Morningside Foundation Donated $625,000 to Hank Hanegraaff's C.R.I.

[WitnessALot]

Gerald & Ronnie Chan's Morningside Foundation Donated $625K to Christian Research Institute from 2009-2010.

As a private foundation, Morningside Foundation's tax returns are publicly available. Have a look at page 27 of the 2009 form, and page 26 of the 2010 form.

2009: https://projects.propublica.org/nonp...2_990PF_200912

2010: https://projects.propublica.org/nonp...2_990PF_201012

There it is, in black and white.

[UntoHim]

And when was the infamous "We Were Wrong" published? 2011? mmmmmm.....interesting!
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“We were wrong” was also published in 2009, as a “special edition” version.

https://www.equip.org/PDF/EnglishOpt.pdf

[WitnessALot]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

And when was the infamous "We Were Wrong" published? 2011? mmmmmm.....interesting!
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The "We Were Wrong" article was published in their magazine dated December 31, 2009. So it would appear these donations were likely both before and after, with the larger donations arriving after.

When I was in the church, I was explicitly told, "There's no such thing as a coincidence." What are the chances that the timing of these donations was mere coincidence?

[UntoHim]

Thank you so much WitnessALot for the valuable information!

Of interesting note, not long after the 2nd "donation" to CRI from the Chans, CRI published a 4-part series of Youtube videos entitled "Shortcomings Of An Open Letter About Watchman Nee, Witness Lee & The Local Church"...as if the catastrophic damage to the truth in the original statement was not enough.
*** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B58YYFwesCI ***

To be sure, even if the publication of "We Were Wrong" came slightly before the massive donations to CRI were received, it is painfully obvious that at the very least we are looking at a "quid pro quo" situation.

And this would not have been the first time that Hanegraaff et al took "donations" to CRI from a cult group, and then did a 180 degree "reassessment", which ultimately absolved the group of any heretical teachings and/or practices. Furthermore, could this have been the only time that the-powers-that-be over at LSM HQs used cash money to curry illicit approval from some Christian apologist or cult research ministry?

You shall not distort justice; you shall not respect persons, nor shall you take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.
Deuteronomy 16:19 - Recovery Version LSM

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[WitnessALot]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Thank you so much WitnessALot for the valuable information!

Of interesting note, not long after the 2nd "donation" to CRI from the Chans, CRI published a 4-part series of Youtube videos entitled "Shortcomings Of An Open Letter About Watchman Nee, Witness Lee & The Local Church"...as if the catastrophic damage to the truth in the original statement was not enough.
*** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B58YYFwesCI ***

To be sure, even if the publication of "We Were Wrong" came slightly before the massive donations to CRI were received, it is painfully obvious that at the very least we are looking at a "quid pro quo" situation.

And this would not have been the first time that Hanegraaff et al took "donations" to CRI from a cult group, and then did a 180 degree "reassessment", which ultimately absolved the group of any heretical teachings and/or practices. Furthermore, could this have been the only time that the-powers-that-be over at LSM HQs used cash money to curry illicit approval from some Christian apologist or cult research ministry?

You shall not distort justice; you shall not respect persons, nor shall you take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.
Deuteronomy 16:19 - Recovery Version LSM

UntoHim, I only hope that this information could help even one or two people who are still trapped in that system.

Regarding the YouTube video, I notice that none of the comments say anything about these donations. So anyone who watches that video isn't really getting the whole story, because they don't know that Hank Hanegraaff had a significant financial incentive to say these things. $625K may be pocket change to billionaires, but it's probably not to an apologetics ministry.

You mention that this isn't the first time CRI has done a "180" after taking a donation. Can you share other examples, or provide a source, UntoHim? It would be helpful.

[I tell the truth]

The donations were easily made. Ronnie and Gerald coworkers are also billionaires. As most of you should know Minoru is their cousin.

I say wow when you really know what happened. Yet saints don't. I remember saints were purchasing so many copies of that magazine and distributing it around.

[WitnessALot]

Originally Posted by I tell the truth

The donations were easily made. Ronnie and Gerald coworkers are also billionaires. As most of you should know Minoru is their cousin.

I say wow when you really know what happened. Yet saints don't. I remember saints were purchasing so many copies of that magazine and distributing it around.

I Tell the Truth, agreed that this is basically pocket change to the Chans.

But to your point about the saints not knowing, I would ask two things: First, would it make any difference to them if they did know, and second, if we think it would be helpful to them, how can we let them know?

[Trapped]

Originally Posted by WitnessALot

I Tell the Truth, agreed that this is basically pocket change to the Chans.

But to your point about the saints not knowing, I would ask two things: First, would it make any difference to them if they did know, and second, if we think it would be helpful to them, how can we let them know?

WitnessALot,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for your contribution!

On your first question, the part of my mind that still unfortunately can think like a local church person does says if they encountered this information they would just say, "of course it makes sense that CRI received some money. Do you really expect them to do all those years of research and investigation and travel for free?"

It literally wouldn't faze most of them. But it doesn't mean it's not important. For people who are already starting to see problems, it would be another blow to what otherwise might have felt to them like a big roadblock.

How to let people know, on the other hand, is always one of the biggest hurdles when dealing with cults or groups that practice information control. I wish I knew the answer to that one.

Trapped

Originally Posted by Trapped

WitnessALot,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for your contribution!

On your first question, the part of my mind that still unfortunately can think like a local church person does says if they encountered this information they would just say, "of course it makes sense that CRI received some money. Do you really expect them to do all those years of research and investigation and travel for free?"

It literally wouldn't faze most of them. But it doesn't mean it's not important. For people who are already starting to see problems, it would be another blow to what otherwise might have felt to them like a big roadblock.

How to let people know, on the other hand, is always one of the biggest hurdles when dealing with cults or groups that practice information control. I wish I knew the answer to that one.

Trapped

Lol, not at you Trapped, but at the local church members thinking process. Let’s see,

I might have an important court date coming up, let me see if I could contact the judge and send her some “hush money”, hopefully she rules in my favor. I’m not looking for her to issue a magazine, and then make more money of that decision she made, but I just want her to feel good that she is well taken care of. I mean, she does have to research my case, so what’s wrong with that? I will also use my cousin’s account to wire it, just so it’s all down low. And if it’s ever gets exposed, I’ll play the victim and say it was her who requested the money, I had no choice, I could “never be wrong”😷🤐☹️

I’m not sure why, but nothing surprises me anymore with this group. Let’s just hope it’s all comes to light, and the behind the scenes dealings like this will be made manifest for all to see!

There is really nothing that will affect the members from the inside, regardless if it’s truth. The only way it will make anyone answer anything, if this becomes a store as big as when it was written. It’s the people on the outside of this movement who could expose both parties, not on the inside of them. I don’t remember for sure, but I think there were ex CRI employees who got canned for speaking against the boss, so they probably would be proven right by this kind of discovery.

P.S.
For the person that discovered this, and posted, I pray for your well-being. It might seem as nothing to ordinary members of LC, but the higher ups and the donors might not take it well. They always trying to save their faces, so admitting something is never in the cards, and they will fight to death to defend themselves. It’s always the person that exposed them gets the blame!

[I tell the truth]

Originally Posted by WitnessALot

I Tell the Truth, agreed that this is basically pocket change to the Chans.

But to your point about the saints not knowing, I would ask two things: First, would it make any difference to them if they did know, and second, if we think it would be helpful to them, how can we let them know?

The saints were so happy and praising God saying vengeance was His. And saw the CRI report as even better than a Supreme Court victory.

LSM bought so many copies and then sold them to the churches as a donation. One was given to anyone who had left the church and anyone mostly new ones in Bible studies who began to show any negativity.

To answer your question saints wouldn't care. They would flat out ignore and deny it.

You have to remember that saints stay because of pride and fear. Those not born in church believe God had mercy to bring them to the church and into what He is doing. Those born into the church know nothing else and the coworkers have recently continuously been saying that if you're outside of the church that your life is completely useless.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by I tell the truth

To answer your question saints wouldn't care. They would flat out ignore and deny it.

You have to remember that saints stay because of pride and fear. Those not born in church believe God had mercy to bring them to the church and into what He is doing. Those born into the church know nothing else and the coworkers have recently continuously been saying that if you're outside of the church that your life is completely useless.

They in the local churches may also read nothing into it. One had nothing to do with the other. Morningside Foundation's giving to CRI had nothing to do with CRI's article. As for me, I read into the Chan's giving as a monetary thank you to CRI for publishing the article.
I say this presuming there was no Morningside Foundation giving to CRI prior to 2009 and no giving to CRI after 2010.

[WitnessALot]

Originally Posted by Terry

They in the local churches may also read nothing into it. One had nothing to do with the other. Morningside Foundation's giving to CRI had nothing to do with CRI's article. As for me, I read into the Chan's giving as a monetary thank you to CRI for publishing the article.
I say this presuming there was no Morningside Foundation giving to CRI prior to 2009 and no giving to CRI after 2010.

Good point, Terry. Went ahead and checked 2007-2019 tax returns. Sure enough, 2009-2010 were the only years with donations to CRI. Most other years had donations to various LRC entities, though, like LSM, DCP, Church in Anaheim, Church in Fullerton, etc.

[Zezima]

Originally Posted by WitnessALot

Gerald & Ronnie Chan's Morningside Foundation Donated $625K to Christian Research Institute from 2009-2010.

As a private foundation, Morningside Foundation's tax returns are publicly available. Have a look at page 27 of the 2009 form, and page 26 of the 2010 form.

2009: https://projects.propublica.org/nonp...2_990PF_200912

2010: https://projects.propublica.org/nonp...2_990PF_201012

There it is, in black and white.

Saved you a click
2009 they donated 200k to CRI
2010 they donated 425k to CRI

If you look at previous and future years, you will also find that they did not consistently donate to CRI. In fact, they only did donate those two years.

That sure is interesting that these guys randomly donated in two consecutive years, then suddenly stopped. It’s also interesting that CRI published the article “We Were Wrong” in the year they gave their first donation. It’s probably nothing though, there’s no way to prove that they paid CRI to write the article instead of bankrupt them. Even though the optics alone present a significant conflict of interest which brings the legitimacy of the article into question, I think there’s nothing to see here.

[Nell]

NOTHING to see? You just made a pretty good circumstantial case. What more do you need? To what other Christian publishers did these guys donate? Anyone?

[UntoHim]

I think our friend Z is playing the part of the devil's advocate here, or maybe LSM's advocate....which are pretty much the same the thing?
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Originally Posted by Zezima

Saved you a click
2009 they donated 200k to CRI
2010 they donated 425k to CRI

If you look at previous and future years, you will also find that they did not consistently donate to CRI. In fact, they only did donate those two years.

That sure is interesting that these guys randomly donated in two consecutive years, then suddenly stopped. It’s also interesting that CRI published the article “We Were Wrong” in the year they gave their first donation. It’s probably nothing though, there’s no way to prove that they paid CRI to write the article instead of bankrupt them. Even though the optics alone present a significant conflict of interest which brings the legitimacy of the article into question, I think there’s nothing to see here.

It’s takes a while to detox from Witness Lee /LSM Kool-aid to see things Z, maybe few more years. It messes with your sight quiet dramatically, however sometimes it’s not reparable. I’ve made many mistakes trying to come up with excuses to cover up something that’s really stinks, or said to myself “nothing to see” here, only to step into another pile as soon as I turned the corner. There is a lot to step into when it comes to the local church.

The only thing that “random” about this, is the fact that it’s another piece to a puzzle of deception, that will take years to unravel. Few more pieces and we might see a start of something that will blow this thing apart.

[Trapped]

Zezima was taking the point of view of the zealous local churcher who would do anything to rationalize the obvious behind the scenes influencing/agreements that were going on.

Notice, Zezima says the absurd "there’s no way to prove that they paid CRI to write the article instead of bankrupt them". The LC paid CRI in order to bankrupt them? He's playing up the manipulation to the extreme. This isn't the stance of someone who has obviously repeatedly spoken out against the LC teachings on this forum who is suddenly taking a turn to support the LC.