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!
-

“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!
-

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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[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 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.

[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

[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.

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!

[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.

[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

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.

So you’re saying they only donated in 2009 & 2010, never before or after? I wonder why the spirit led them to give generously to CRI in those years. Though of course I won’t let my mind wonder, after all a question-mark is the same shape as the serpent. But if you look it at objectively, the timing of it all does point to an obvious suggestion. Granted, I’m speaking from a place with not much revelation as I’m still praying for the high peak vision to be revealed to me so take my words with a grain of salt brothers and sisters.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Zezima

So you’re saying they only donated in 2009 & 2010, never before or after? I wonder why the spirit led them to give generously to CRI in those years. Though of course I won’t let my mind wonder, after all a question-mark is the same shape as the serpent. But if you look it at objectively, the timing of it all does point to an obvious suggestion. Granted, I’m speaking from a place with not much revelation as I’m still praying for the high peak vision to be revealed to me so take my words with a grain of salt brothers and sisters.

Led by the Spirit?

Years ago a former colleague of CRI director Hank H. posted here about his “lack of professional integrity.” There’s little doubt that he reversed their judgment of LSM due to base gain, the kind that the old KJV called “filthy lucre.”

Originally Posted by Zezima

So you’re saying they only donated in 2009 & 2010, never before or after? I wonder why the spirit led them to give generously to CRI in those years. Though of course I won’t let my mind wonder, after all a question-mark is the same shape as the serpent. But if you look it at objectively, the timing of it all does point to an obvious suggestion. Granted, I’m speaking from a place with not much revelation as I’m still praying for the high peak vision to be revealed to me so take my words with a grain of salt brothers and sisters.

Wow,
Sorry for interruption, but I was once told that we don’t need to spiritualize everything, or make it about some force of illumination. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, ITS A DUCK. You don’t need spiritual revelation to make that determination. I hope that helps. It’s ain’t that hard to say 2+2 still equals 4 in 2023, so let’s just stick to some basics. I would bet a good amount, that if this goes to any court of law, it would be like trying to prove your DUI was wrong with blood alcohol level of 62.5%!

Also, the whole idea of “the spirit lead them”, is such a fluff. You could now be implying that the “spirit” could be a guilt party for an awful works of power hungry men. Very disingenuous and distasteful. (I hope it was all sarcasm and not what you actually believe)

[Trapped]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Wow,
Sorry for interruption, but I was once told that we don’t need to spiritualize everything, or make it about some force of illumination. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, ITS A DUCK. You don’t need spiritual revelation to make that determination. I hope that helps. It’s ain’t that hard to say 2+2 still equals 4 in 2023, so let’s just stick to some basics. I would bet a good amount, that if this goes to any court of law, it would be like trying to prove your DUI was wrong with blood alcohol level of 62.5%!

Also, the whole idea of “the spirit lead them”, is such a fluff. You could now be implying that the “spirit” could be a guilt party for an awful works of power hungry men. Very disingenuous and distasteful. (I hope it was all sarcasm and not what you actually believe)

Zezima was once again playing the SNL version of an LC member. Notice all the LC-specific hyper-spiritual fluff phrases. It's not what Zezima actually thinks.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Zezima

So you’re saying they only donated in 2009 & 2010, never before or after? I wonder why the spirit led them to give generously to CRI in those years. Though of course I won’t let my mind wonder, after all a question-mark is the same shape as the serpent. But if you look it at objectively, the timing of it all does point to an obvious suggestion. Granted, I’m speaking from a place with not much revelation as I’m still praying for the high peak vision to be revealed to me so take my words with a grain of salt brothers and sisters.

The high peak vision is to preach the Gospel to the nations.

[WitnessALot]

Originally Posted by Ohio

The high peak vision is to preach the Gospel to the nations.

Perhaps the high peak vision is simply to take care of one's own family and to not get tangled up in an organization that regularly slanders people and treats its own members like pariahs.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by WitnessALot

Perhaps the high peak vision is simply to take care of one's own family and to not get tangled up in an organization that regularly slanders people and treats its own members like pariahs.

Perhaps. I only mention the “heavenly vision” of Apostle Paul’s salvation because that is the starting point for all mention of “the vision” by WL and LSM.

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.

WARNING,
(Before you read, If you are easily offended, please save yourself a heartache, and treat this post as you would treat every other writings outside of the LC.)


How about them “blended bros”? Seers of God revelation or just plain old snake oil salesman? They must have been “out of their minds”, that they thought that this will never be discovered. This kind of story should be leading the honest people to call out both parties in public, unfortunately there aren’t a lot of those to go around anymore that still care. Most are worried about stuffing their coffers from anyone they can swindle for some money or a book deal to continue their careers (just as HH been doing for decades. He will even sign it for you for additional donations)

I think what’s even more telling about the financial records of this foundation, is that its basically funds LSM, and a bunch of the main hubs of this “corporate jesus”. Including DCP, Bibles of America, LSM Anahiem, LSM Boston, Church in Anahiem, Los Angles, Cambridge, their media, and a bunch of others. In 15 years from 2001-2019, they’ve gave over $30 million dollars to these entities, and for organizations that are not for profit, that’s a lot of money. When you have billionaires in your back pocket funding your operations, it’s definitely much easier to propagate “Gods move on earth”, if it’s even Gods move to begin with. More like trying to promote new version of “recovered” anti Christianity worldwide, with Witness Lee being the chief cornerstone. I’m very glad it’s not 1500-1600s, or we would all be burned at the stake or put to death by drowning as the heretics and opposers of these men. John Calvin is a proud member of that club, but is recognized as one of the “greatest vessels” that God used, even by the local church. I guess history tends to repeat itself, only this time it’s in a more milder shape, they just cut you off from your loved ones, your family, your community that you grew up with, if you chose to be the one who says “Thanks, but no thanks”.

It’s also very beneficial to have this kind of resources to intimidate anyone who would dare to question it, when you know that finances won’t play any role in taking anyone out (legally). Check out how much was donated to the Defense Confirmation Project over the past many years. They got money to burn! For Chan bros, (over 3 billion dollars net worth, according to Forbes) giving CRI $625k, it’s like me giving $50 to someone, but for Hank that pays his salary for couple of years. So why not! Who cares about a bunch of people getting screwed, he gets to talk on the radio for a bit longer. Also notice that nether before 2009, or after 2010, there hasn’t been a single payment made to them, so it’s not a coincidence at all. They knew that they couldn’t just give out money from LSM account, because it would be very obvious, so just use other means to accomplish the transaction. (BTW, I watched Hanks recent video about “Does Satan Have Access to Our Minds?”, he sure beginning to sound a bit like Lee. Next thing you know, he will say “get out of your mind”, just as you see his slogan “truth matters, life matters more”
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq8XYo4EQZE) This is also not the first time that CRI and Hank accepted money to cover up for groups like the “Church of God”, by then founder Herbert Armstrong.

Further research also shows that this foundation donates to causes that promote Chinese culture and people, so don’t expect Local church to drop Witness Lee anytime soon, as long as the money will keep flowing. The organic body talk went out of the window (if it was ever in place), probably since Lee was messing around with churches properties in Taiwan, before he ventured out to this country. As for Hank, he joins a company that’s has many members since the first person known as Judas, sold out Jesus, and I can assure you he won’t be the last.

Judas sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Twenty centuries later Hank Hanegraaff and CRI sold out and exposed people to the “Lord’s Recovery”, for $625k, primarily due to inflation. I doubt that Hank can purchase and light up enough candles, mumble enough prayers to atone for one life that was altered forever because of their greed. As for the American tradition that almost everything can be returned and refunded, unfortunately the damage is already been completed. Maybe he can do the same thing as the Scribes and Pharisees did, and purchase a spot at the “Grace Terrace”, so he could be buried after it’s all set and done with the cloud of “witnesses”, since it looks like they are one of the same. Would be a fitting end to the same story, because I highly doubt that nether party will ever come clean and tell the truth!

Remember, truth only matters when it doesn’t affect their lives. Other people’s lives only matter so that they can fund their versions of truth! They both out there trying to sell books, find people to oblige themselves to their untold secrets behind the Biblical writings. So please pardon my recusant, antithetical analysis, and neglect to tranquilize the minds of the masses with the fervor of malignant condition, known as “oneness at all costs” in the local church. Hank Hanegraaff, CRI, local church, did me/us much harm, may God repay them according to their works!

UnfilteredSkeptic

[FaithHopeLove]

I'm not God's CCTV and on the day of judgement, all truth will be revealed. But by the look of it, I doubt even Witness Lee knew what was really going on. I think he's just the frontman of something hiding its face behind the name of religion. The real question to ask is who were behind him. Doesn't anyone wonder how a one man preacher from somewhere in China in difficult times suddenly just has the means to migrate over to the US and out of nowhere just has something with his name labelled all over in front of it and then went viral across the world? Sure, blind believers will just say this is " God's miracle ". How would you know? Is there anyone who would even for a moment think to wonder what actually happened before this group was formed and who exactly Witness Lee was? Noooooooooooooooooooooo. And we all know why. Because we were part of it and we know exactly why we did not stop to even think for ourselves. Afterall, who would think there is a wolf underneath a kind and warm hearted sheep? At school we all know the story of Hansel and Gretel. Well, we failed to apply that in real life, thinking it's just a fairytale. Well, the story may be a " fairytale ", but the moral of it is real.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by UnfilteredSkeptic

WARNING,
(Before you read, If you are easily offended, please save yourself a heartache, and treat this post as you would treat every other writings outside of the LC.)
How about them “blended bros”? Seers of God revelation or just plain old snake oil salesman? They must have been “out of their minds”, that they thought that this will never be discovered. This kind of story should be leading the honest people to call out both parties in public, unfortunately there aren’t a lot of those to go around anymore that still care.

Honest people that may still exist in the local churches would rather look the other way or stick their head in the sand like an ostrich. Nothing to see here.
When it comes to financial giving or even lawsuits, LSM wants ones like the Chan's who have deep pockets. Yet when it comes to building LSM facilities or remodeling/building LC meeting halls, that is when it's convenient to have skilled carpenters, electricians, etc. I'm sure just like wealthy ones with their finances, brothers and sisters skilled in construction work donated their time and labor.

[WitnessALot]

Thought I'd give this a bump. $625K + lots of magazine purchases! Money talks!