Changes
→Criticism and controversy
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{pp-semi-blp|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
|birth_name = Toufik Benedictus Hinn
| image =
| image_size =
| caption = Hinn at a miracle crusade
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1952|12|3}}
| birth_place = [[Jaffa, Israel]]<ref name="FifthEstate" /><ref name=About-BHM>{{cite web|title=About us|url=http://www.bennyhinn.org/about-us|work=Benny Hinn Ministries|accessdate=10 September 2013|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908055219/http://www.bennyhinn.org/about-us|archivedate=8 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = [[Televangelist]], author, speaker
| spouse = Suzanne Harthern
(m. 4 August 1979, divorced 2010; remarried 3 March 2013)
| parents =
| children = Three daughters, one son
| website = {{URL|http://www.bennyhinn.org/}}
}}
'''Toufik Benedictus''' "'''Benny'''" '''Hinn''' (born 3 December 1952) is an Israeli [[televangelist]], best known for his regular "Miracle Crusades"—[[revival meeting]] or [[faith healing]] summits that are usually held in stadiums in major cities, which are later broadcast worldwide on his television program, ''[[This Is Your Day]]''.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/benny-hinn-gives-aid-for-tsunami-victims/story-uEsiQ2y9oxndDxfs6wiW7O.html
| title=Benny Hinn gives aid for tsunami victims
|date=3 January 2007
| accessdate=2007-08-19
| publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]
}}</ref>
==History==
Hinn was born in [[Jaffa]], in 1952, in the then newly established state of [[Israel]]<ref name="FifthEstate" /> to parents born in [[Mandatory Palestine|Palestine]] with Greek, Palestinian and Armenian heritage.<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ghePZwMqY3sC&pg=PP10#v=onepage&q&f=false He Touched Me: An Autobiography], Benny Hinn, "Immediately following World War I, my dad's great-grandfather and his family – the Costandis – emigrated from their native Greece to Alexandria, Egypt... Later one of the Hinn sons (my grandfather) moved from Egypt to Palestine and settled in the thriving Arab community of Jaffa... Although my mother was born in Palestine, her mother's family emigrated from the impoverished southern European nation of Armenia to Beirut, Lebanon, many years earlier. Her father, Salem Salameh, was a Palestinian."</ref> He was raised within the [[Eastern Orthodox]] tradition.<ref>Nickell, Joe. [http://www.csicop.org/si/show/benny_hinn_healer_or_hypnotist/ "Benny Hinn: Healer or Hypnotist?"]. Volume 26.3, May / June 2002. ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]''</ref>
Soon after the [[Six-Day War|1967 Arab–Israeli War]] ("The Six-Day War"), Hinn's family emigrated to [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada, where he attended the [[Georges Vanier Secondary School]]. He did not graduate. In his books, Hinn states that his father was the mayor of Jaffa at the time of his birth and that he was socially isolated as a child and was handicapped by a severe [[stutter]], but that he was nonetheless a first-class student.<ref name="GoodMorningHolySpirit2">Benny Hinn, ''[[Good Morning, Holy Spirit]]'', chapter 2</ref> These claims, however, have been disputed by critics of Hinn.<ref name="Heretic">{{cite news|last=Bloom |first=John |title=The Heretic |publisher=[[D Magazine]] |date=August 2003 |url=http://www.trinityfi.org/press/heretic.html |accessdate=2016-09-03 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204235504/http://www.trinityfi.org/press/heretic.html |archivedate=4 December 2003 |df=dmy }}</ref> As a teenager in Toronto, Hinn converted from [[Greek Orthodoxy]] to [[Pentecostalism]], eventually joining a singing troupe made up of young [[evangelicals]]. According to a 2004 [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] report on Hinn, his newfound religious devotion during this period became so intense that his family became concerned that he was turning into a [[religious fanatic]]. Hinn was taught the Bible and was mentored by Dr. [[Winston I. Nunes]] of Broadview Faith Temple in Toronto.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trinitygospel.com/aboutus.asp|title=www.trinitygospel.com|publisher=}}</ref>
Hinn has written that on 21 December 1973, he traveled by charter bus from [[Toronto]] to [[Pittsburgh]] to attend a "miracle service" conducted by evangelist [[Kathryn Kuhlman]]. Although he never met her personally, he often attended her "healing services" and has often cited her as an influence in his life.<ref name="GoodMorningHolySpirit2" />
On moving to the United States, Hinn traveled to [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], Florida, where he founded the Orlando Christian Center in 1983. Eventually, he began claiming that God was using him as a [[Conduit (spiritualism)|conduit]] for healings, and began holding healing services in his church. These new "Miracle Crusades" were soon held at large stadiums and auditoriums across the United States and the world, the first nationally televised service being held in [[Flint, Michigan|Flint]], Michigan, in 1989. During the early 1990s, he launched a new daily talk show called ''[[This Is Your Day]]'', which to this day airs clips of supposed miracles from Hinn's Miracle Crusades. The program premiered on the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] of [[Paul Crouch]], who would become one of Hinn's most outspoken defenders and allies. Hinn's ministry began to rapidly grow from there, winning praise as well as criticism from fellow Christian leaders. In 1999, he stepped down as pastor of the Orlando Christian Center, moving his ministry's administrative headquarters to [[Grapevine, Texas|Grapevine]], Texas, a suburb of [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]], while hosting ''This Is Your Day'' from a television studio in [[Orange County, California|Orange County]], California, where he now lives with his family. His former church was renamed Faith World Church under the leadership of Clint Brown, who merged his Orlando church with Hinn's.
== Ministry and theology ==
Benny Hinn is the author of a number of Christian books. His thirty-minute TV program ''This Is Your Day'' is among the world's most-watched Christian programs, seen on various Christian television networks, including [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]], [[Daystar Television Network]], [[Revelation TV]], [[Grace TV]], [[Vision TV]], [[INSP Networks]], and [[The God Channel]].<ref name="VCU">{{cite web|url=http://www.has.vcu.edu/wrs/profiles/BennyHinn|title=Benny Hinn Ministries|author1=David G. Bromley|author2=Leah M. Hott|publisher=World Religions & Spirituality Project VCU|date=3 June 2013|accessdate=19 December 2013}}</ref>
Hinn conducts regular "Miracle Crusades"—[[revival meeting]] / [[faith healing]] events held in sports stadiums in major cities throughout the world. Tens of millions attend his Holy Spirit Miracle Crusades each year.<ref name="VCU"/>{{dubious|date=January 2016}} Hinn claims to have spoken to one billion people through his crusades, including memorable crusades with attendance of 7.3 million people (in three services) in India, the largest healing service in recorded history.<ref name="Benny Hinn Ministries">{{cite web|url = http://www.bennyhinn.org/aboutus/articledesc.cfm?id=1386|title = About Us|publisher = Benny Hinn Ministries|accessdate = 2007-08-01|deadurl = yes|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080119104507/http://www.bennyhinn.org/aboutus/articledesc.cfm?id=1386|archivedate = 19 January 2008|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Rediff">{{cite web|url = http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/jan/24hinn.htm| title = Benny Hinn winds up India trip|publisher =[[Rediff.com|Rediff]]|accessdate = 2007-08-01}}</ref><ref name="Streaming Faith">{{cite web|url = http://www.streamingfaith.com/directory/broadcaster.aspx?TalentID=1018|title = Pastor Benny Hinn|publisher = Streaming Faith|accessdate = 2007-08-01|deadurl = yes|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071216201416/http://www.streamingfaith.com/directory/broadcaster.aspx?TalentID=1018|archivedate = 16 December 2007|df = dmy-all}}</ref> [[Evander Holyfield]], who was diagnosed with a non-compliant left ventricle, has credited his healing to Benny Hinn, stating that through God working through Hinn, he was healed as he had "a warm feeling" go through his chest as Hinn touched him.<ref name="Jet">{{cite book|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=8LoDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA46&dq=Holyfield+Benny+Hinn&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pUozT6DvJeb40gHc1_XHAg&ved=0CEIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Holyfield%20Benny%20Hinn&f=false| title = Jet (Jul 4, 1994)|publisher =[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|accessdate = 8 February 2012|quote=Holyfield, 31, has a non-compliant left ventricle, or "stiff heart," which prevents sufficient oxygen from being pumped to muscles and tissues. The problem was discovered after his April 22 title-fight loss to Michael Moorer. Holyfield claims he was cured by faith healer Benny Hinn during a Christian revival in Philadelphia. "My heart is better," he said. During the revival Holyfield dropped to the stage three times and said he had "a warm feeling" go through his chest as Hinn touched him during the healing session.}}</ref><ref name="Holyfield">{{cite book|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=ypj_zXPjli0C&pg=PA209&dq=people+healed+by+benny+hinn+Holyfield&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Ek8zT_GGPLKE0QGBmu2bAg&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false| title = Becoming Holyfield: a fighter's journey|publisher =[[Simon & Schuster]]|accessdate = 8 February 2012|quote=So did Benny Hinn heal me? Was it a miracle? No, Hinn didn't heal me. God healed me, working through Hinn.|author=Evander Holyfield, Lee Gruenfeld}}</ref>
Hinn's teachings are [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] and [[charismatic]], accepting the validity of [[spiritual gifts]], and [[Word of Faith]] in origin, with a focus on [[Prosperity theology|financial prosperity]]. Some doctrine and practices that Hinn teaches would be thought unusual in mainstream Christianity.<ref>John MacArthur ''Charismatic Chaos'' (GrandRapids: Zondervan, 1993) 334</ref> The [[charismatic (Christians)|charismatic]] Christian community (who, according to a 2007 study by [[The Barna Group]], make up 46% of United States Protestants and 36% of United States Catholics),<ref>''[[The Barna Group]],'' [https://web.archive.org/web/20090315060438/http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/18-congregations/52-is-american-christianity-turning-charismatic "Is American Christianity Turning Charismatic?"] Accessed 17 April 2008.</ref> is very diverse, and Hinn's ideas are not universally accepted.
== Missions ==
Benny Hinn Ministries claims to support 60 mission organizations across the world and several orphanages around the world, and claims to house and feed over 100,000 children a year and support 45,000 children daily because of his donors.<ref>{{YouTube|u27B11MjNDg|Benny Hinn – Orphanages and Missions (1)}}.</ref><ref>{{YouTube|OdZCk8X6vzE|Benny Hinn – Orphanages and Missions (2)}}.</ref>
Benny Hinn Ministries donated $100,000 for relief supplies for [[Hurricane Katrina]] victims in 2005, and $250,000 to the tsunami relief effort in 2007.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/karnataka/Benny-Hinn-gives-aid-for-tsunami-victims/Article1-27703.aspx| title=Benny Hinn gives aid for tsunami victims| accessdate=3 January 2007| deadurl=yes| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605020746/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/karnataka/Benny-Hinn-gives-aid-for-tsunami-victims/Article1-27703.aspx| archivedate=5 June 2011| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
==Criticism and controversy==
In March 1993 ''[[Inside Edition]]'' reported on Hinn's $685,000 Orlando home and [[Mercedes-Benz]], despite Hinn having previously claiming a "modest lifestyle". An employee of ''Inside Edition'' also faked a healing from [[Cerebral palsy]] which was shown on Hinn's regular broadcast.<ref>{{cite news|title=Preacher Changes His Ways|date=2 October 1993|work=The Tampa Tribune| publisher = [[Ancestry.com#Newspapers.com]]|subscription=yes}}</ref>
A controversial aspect of Hinn's ministry is his teaching on, and demonstration of, a phenomenon he dubs "The [[Anointing]]"—the power purportedly given by God and transmitted through Hinn to carry out supernatural acts. At his Miracle Crusades, he has allegedly healed attendees of blindness, [[deafness]], cancer, AIDS,<ref name="ApologeticIndex">{{cite web|url=http://www.apologeticsindex.org/h04.html|title=Benny Hinn – Truth or Consequences? (Part 3)|author=Let Us Reason Ministries|accessdate=2010-10-25}}</ref> and severe physical injuries. However, investigative reports by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', [[NBC]]'s ''[[Dateline NBC|Dateline]]'', the [[CBC Television|CBC]]'s ''[[The Fifth Estate (TV)|The Fifth Estate]]'', and the [[Nine Network]]'s ''[[60 Minutes (Australian TV program)|60 Minutes]]'' have called these claims into question.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}
Hinn has also caused controversy for theological remarks and claims he has made during TV appearances. In 1999, Hinn appeared on the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]], claiming that God had given him a vision predicting the resurrection of thousands of dead people after watching the network—laying out a scenario of people placing their dead loved ones' hands on TV screens tuned into the station—and suggesting that TBN would be "an extension of [[Heaven]] to [[Earth]]."{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}
===''A Question of Miracles''===
In April 2001, [[HBO]] aired a documentary entitled ''A Question of Miracles'' that focused on Hinn and a well-documented fellow Word-of-Faith German minister based in Africa, [[Reinhard Bonnke]].<ref>{{IMDb title|0447686|A Question of Miracles}}</ref> Both Hinn and Bonnke offered full access to their events to the documentary crew, and the documentary team followed seven cases of "miracle healings" from Hinn's crusade over the next year. The film's director, [[Antony Thomas]], told [[CNN]]'s [[Kyra Phillips]] that they did not find any cases where people were actually healed by Hinn.<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0104/15/sm.13.html Do Miracles Actually Occur?], [[CNN.com]] transcripts. 2001-04-15</ref> Thomas said in a ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' interview that "If I had seen miracles [from Hinn's ministry], I would have been happy to trumpet it... but in retrospect, I think they do more damage to Christianity than the most committed atheist."<ref>Finn, Robin. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CEFDE1131F936A25757C0A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print COVER STORY; Want Pathos, Pain and Courage? Get Real], ''The New York Times'', 2001-04-15</ref>
==="Do You Believe in Miracles"===
In November 2004, the [[CBC Television]] show ''[[The Fifth Estate (TV)|The Fifth Estate]]'' did a special titled "Do You Believe in Miracles" on the apparent transgressions committed by Benny Hinn's ministry.<ref name="FifthEstate">{{cite news
| last = McKeown
| first = Bob
| title = Do You Believe in Miracles?
|authorlink = Bob McKeown
| work = [[The Fifth Estate (TV)|The Fifth Estate]]
| publisher = [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]
|date=December 2004
| url = http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/main_miracles.html
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130810164015/http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/main_miracles.html
| dead-url = yes
| archive-date = 2013-08-10
| accessdate =2013-10-29
}}
</ref>
With the aid of hidden cameras and crusade witnesses, the producers of the show demonstrated Hinn's apparent misappropriation of funds, his fabrication of the truth, and the way in which his staff chose crusade audience members to come on stage to proclaim their miracle healings.<ref name="FifthEstate"/> In particular, the investigation highlighted the fact that the most desperate miracle seekers who attend a Hinn crusade—the quadriplegics, the brain-damaged, virtually anyone with a visibly obvious physical condition—are never allowed up on stage; those who attempt to get in the line of possible healings are intercepted and directed to return to their seats.
At one Canadian service, hidden cameras showed a mother who was carrying her [[muscular dystrophy]]-afflicted daughter, Grace, being stopped by two screeners when they attempted to get into the line for a possible blessing from Hinn. The screeners asked the mother if Grace had been healed, and when the mother replied in the negative, they were told to return to their seats; the pair got out of line, but Grace, wanting "Pastor Benny to pray for [her]," asked her mother to support her as she tried to walk as a show of "her faith in action," according to the mother. After several unsuccessful attempts at walking, the pair left the arena in tears, both mother and daughter visibly upset at being turned aside and crying as they explained to the undercover reporters that all Grace had wanted was for Hinn to pray for her, but the staffers rushed them out of the line when they found out Grace had not been healed.<ref name="FifthEstate" /> A week later at a service in Toronto, Baptist evangelist Justin Peters, who wrote his Masters in Divinity thesis on Benny Hinn<ref name="JustinPetersThesis">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/thesis.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810184800/http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/thesis.pdf|dead-url=yes|archive-date=2013-08-10|title=Benny Hinn and Healing|author=Peters, Justin|accessdate=2013-10-29 | work=CBC News}}</ref> and has attended numerous Hinn crusades since 2000 as part of his research for his thesis and for a seminar he developed about the Word of Faith movement entitled ''A Call for Discernment'',<ref name="ACallForDiscernment">{{cite web|url=http://justinpeters.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=5|title=Seminar overview for ''A Call for Discernment''|author=Peters, Justin|accessdate=2010-07-14}}</ref> also demonstrated to the hidden cameras that "people who look like me"—Peters has [[cerebral palsy]], walks with arm-crutches, and is obviously and visibly disabled—"are ''never'' allowed on stage [...] it's always somebody who has some disability or disease that cannot be readily seen." Like Grace and her mother, Peters was quickly intercepted as he came out of the wheelchair section (there is one at every crusade, situated at the back of the audience, far away from the stage, and never filmed for Hinn's TV show) in an attempt to join the line of those waiting to go onstage, and was told to take a seat.<ref name="FifthEstate" />
This segment was later edited with new footage and shown on ''Dateline: NBC'' in November 2005.{{Citation needed|date=June 2018}}
===Ministry Watch issues "Donor Alert"===
In March 2005, [[Ministry Watch]] issued a Donor Alert against the ministry.<ref>[http://www.ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/pdf/MWDA_053105_BennyHinn.pdf MinistryWatch.com Recommends that Donors Withhold Giving to Benny Hinn Ministries] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222161206/http://ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/pdf/MWDA_053105_BennyHinn.pdf |date=22 February 2007 }}, [[Ministry Watch]], May 2005</ref> Benny Hinn Ministries is not a member of the [[Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apologeticsindex.org/h01.html|title=Benny Hinn : Apologetics research resources|publisher=}}</ref>
===Senate investigation===
[[File:Gulfstream G-400.jpg|thumbnail|right|Critics accuse Hinn of using the ministry's Gulfstream G4SP jet for personal vacations funded by tax-free donations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Ministry-solicits-to-pay-for-jet-1849427.php|title=Ministry solicits to pay for jet|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|tVG1x-rh6FE}}</ref>]]
{{main|United States Senate inquiry into the tax-exempt status of religious organizations}}
In 2007, [[United States Senate|United States Senator]] [[Chuck Grassley]] announced [[United States Senate inquiry into the tax-exempt status of religious organizations|an investigation]] of Hinn's ministry by the [[United States Senate Committee on Finance]]. In a letter to BHM,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://media.npr.org/documents/2007/nov/grassley/hinn.pdf | title=Read Grassley's Letters | publisher=[[npr.org]] | date=4 December 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate=2007-12-10 | format=PDF | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810214446/http://media.npr.org/documents/2007/nov/grassley/hinn.pdf | archivedate=10 August 2013 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Grassley asked for the ministry to divulge financial information<ref>{{cite news |
url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16860611|
title=Senator Probes Megachurches' Finances by Kathy Lohr | publisher=[[npr.org]] | date=4 December 2007 | first= | last= }}</ref> to the Senate Committee on Finance to determine if Hinn made any personal profit from financial donations, and requested that Hinn's ministry make the information available. The investigation also scrutinized five other televangelists: [[Paula White]], [[Kenneth Copeland]], [[Eddie L. Long]], [[Joyce Meyer]], and [[Creflo Dollar]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/06/cbsnews_investigates/main3462147.shtml | title=Televangelists Living Like Kings? | publisher=[[CBS News]] |date= 6 November 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate =2007-09-17}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news
| last = Lohr
| first = Kathy
| title = Senator Probes Megachurches' Finances
| work =
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = [[National Public Radio]]
| date= 4 December 2007
| url = https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16860611
| accessdate = 2007-12-06 }}</ref>
In December 2007, Hinn said he would not respond to the inquiry until 2008.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071206_1__Aseco62017 | title=Hinn joins Dollar in refusing to answer questions in Senate investigation| publisher=[[Tulsa World]] |date= 6 December 2007| accessdate =2007-12-06}}</ref> The ministry subsequently responded to the inquiry, and Grassley said that "...Benny Hinn [has] engaged in open and honest dialogue with committee staff. They have not only provided responses to every question but, in the spirit of true cooperation, also have provided information over and above what was requested."<ref>
{{cite press release
| title = Grassley Update on Ministry Responses, Background Questions and Answers
| publisher = Senator [[Chuck Grassley]]
| date = 7 July 2008
| url = http://grassley.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=fe9bb4ff-e266-e111-a62f-f246986f15ce&Month=7&Year=2008
| accessdate = 2008-07-29
| deadurl = yes
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080730222121/http://grassley.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=fe9bb4ff-e266-e111-a62f-f246986f15ce&Month=7&Year=2008
| archivedate = 30 July 2008
| df = dmy-all
}}</ref>
The investigation concluded in 2011 with no penalties or findings of wrongdoing. The final report raised questions about personal use of church-owned luxury goods and a lack of financial oversight on the ministries' boards, which are often populated with family and friends of the televangelist. Hinn's group reported to the committee that it complied with tax regulations and had made changes in compensation and governance procedures.<ref name="msnbc1">{{Cite web| title=Televangelists escape penalty in Senate inquiry |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40960871/ns/politics-capitol_hill/ |publisher=''[[MSNBC]]'' |accessdate= 2011-04-08 |author=Rachel Zoll |date=7 January 2011}}</ref><ref name='2011-01-07 CBN'>{{cite news | title = Probe of Televangelists Finds 'No Wrongdoing' | date = 7 January 2011 | url = http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/January/Probe-of-Televangelists-Finds-No-Wrongdoing/ | work = Christian Broadcasting Network | accessdate = 2013-05-14}}</ref>
==Marriage==
Hinn married Suzanne Harthern on 4 August 1979.<ref>[http://www.bennyhinnbiography.com/meet-suzanne.htm "Finding His Life Partner, Suzanne Hinn", BennyHinnBiography.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206031940/http://www.bennyhinnbiography.com/meet-suzanne.htm |date=6 December 2009 }} Accessed 18 February 2010</ref> The couple have four children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/02/wife-of-televangelist-benny-hinn-files-for-divorce.html|title=Wife of televangelist Benny Hinn files for divorce|author=Robert J. Lopez|publisher=LA Times|date=18 February 2010|accessdate=19 December 2013}}</ref> Suzanne filed divorce papers in California's [[Orange County, California|Orange County]] Superior Court on 1 February 2010, citing "irreconcilable differences."<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/18/benny-hinn-divorce-wife-s_n_468296.html Benny Hinn Divorce: Wife Suzanne Hinn Files For Divorce From Televangelist ]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/February/Hinn-Speaks-Out-about-Divorce-Announcement/|title=Hinn Breaks Silence on Divorce Announcement - US - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com|publisher=}}</ref> In July 2010, both Hinn and fellow televangelist [[Paula White]] denied allegations in the ''[[National Enquirer]]'' that the two were engaged in an affair.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/July/Evangelists-Hinn-White-Deny-Affair-Allegations/ Evangelists Hinn, White Deny Affair Allegations], Christian Broadcasting Network, 26 July 2010</ref> Hinn was sued in February 2011 by the Christian publishing house Strang Communications, which claimed that a relationship with White did occur and that Hinn had violated the morality clause of his contract with the company.<ref>[http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2011/02/benny_hinn_sued.html Benny Hinn Sued by Strang Co.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224032714/http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2011/02/benny_hinn_sued.html |date=24 February 2011 }}, ''Christianity Today'', 21 February 2011</ref>
In May 2012, Hinn announced that he and Suzanne had begun reconciliation during the Christmas season of 2011,<ref>{{cite web|title=Benny Hinn Announces Reconciliation With Former Wife|url=http://global.christianpost.com/news/benny-hinn-announces-reconciliation-with-wife-75733/|publisher=[[The Christian Post]]|date=29 May 2012|accessdate=25 June 2012}}</ref> stating that the split had been caused by her addiction to prescription drugs and antidepressants and citing his busy schedule and lack of time for his wife and children.<ref>{{cite web|title=Benny Hinn Says Wife's Drug Problems Led to Divorce, Praises God's Reconciling Power|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/benny-hinn-says-wifes-drug-problems-led-to-divorce-praises-gods-reconciling-power-76585/|date=13 June 2012|accessdate=25 June 2012|publisher=The Christian Post}}</ref> In October 2012, Hinn announced that he and Suzanne would remarry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/jack-hayford-to-perform-benny-and-suzanne-hinns-remarriage-77312/|title=Jack Hayford to Perform Benny and Suzanne Hinn's Remarriage|author=Michael Gryboski|date=27 June 2012|accessdate=4 August 2012|publisher=[[The Christian Post]]}}</ref> Benny and Suzanne remarried on 3 March 2013, at the [[Holy Land Experience]] theme park, in a traditional ceremony lasting over two hours and attended by approximately 1,000 well-wishers, including many visiting Christian leaders. [[Jack Hayford]] referred to the remarriage as "a miracle of God's grace".<ref name="OS wedding">{{cite news|last=Kunerth|first=Jeff|title=Televangelist Benny Hinn remarries ex-wife at Holy Land Experience|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/blogs/religion-world/os-benny-hinn-remarries-exwife-at-holyland-experience-20130404,0,6455504.post|accessdate=17 June 2013|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=4 April 2013}}</ref>
== Published works ==
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Kathryn Kuhlman: Her Spiritual Legacy and Its Impact on My Life |publisher=W Pub Group |location= |isbn=0-7852-7888-5 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title= [[Good Morning, Holy Spirit]] | publisher=Nelson Books |location= |isbn=0-7852-7176-7 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=He Touched Me an Autobiography |publisher=Nelson Books |location= |isbn=0-7852-7887-7 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=The Anointing |publisher=Nelson Books |location= |isbn=0-7852-7168-6 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Welcome, Holy Spirit How You Can Experience The Dynamic Work of the Holy Spirit in Your Life |publisher=Nelson Books |location= |isbn=0-7852-7169-4 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=This Is Your Day for a Miracle |publisher=Creation House |location=Orlando, FL |isbn=0-88419-391-8 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=The Biblical Road to Blessing |publisher=Thomas Nelson Inc |location=Nashville, Tenn |isbn=0-7852-7517-7 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Miracle of Healing |publisher=J. Countryman |location=Nashville, Tenn |isbn=0-8499-5399-5 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=The Blood |publisher=Charisma House |location=Lake Mary, FL |isbn=0-88419-763-8 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Going Deeper with the Holy Spirit |publisher=Benny Hinn Ministries |location= |isbn=1-59024-039-1 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Lord, I Need a Miracle |publisher=Thomas Nelson Inc |location=Nashville, Tenn |isbn=0-8407-6251-8 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Total Recovery, Supernatural Restoration and Release
|publisher=Clarion Call Marketing, Inc |location=Dallas, Texas |isbn=1-59574-038-4 |oclc= |doi=}}
== See also ==
* [[Charismatic movement]]
* [[Kathryn Kuhlman]]
* [[List of television evangelists]]
* [[Prosperity Gospel]]
* [[Televangelism]]
* [[Word of Faith]]
==References==
<!--See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref(erences/)> tags-->
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
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* {{Official website|http://www.bennyhinn.org}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080526060741/http://ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=591245704 Ministry Watch Report on Benny Hinn]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120926041348/http://www.daystar.com/shows/this-is-your-day-with-benny-hinn/ This is Your Day with Benny Hinn – Daystar Television] – Benny Hinn on Daystar Television
* RICHES Podcast Documentaries: [https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/items/show/2466 Calvary Assembly and Benny Hinn, Part 1]
* RICHES Podcast Documentaires: [https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/items/show/2467 Calvary Assembly and Benny Hinn, Part 2]
<!--categorising here reflects that article does not mention if he acquired Canadian or American citizenship, or if he immigrated to the States. He should be listed as a Canadian and American evangelist as he as been active in Canadian and American evangelistics, regardless of his citizenship-->
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hinn, Benny}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:American television evangelists]]
[[Category:Canadian television evangelists]]
[[Category:Faith healers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Converts to Protestantism from Eastern Orthodoxy]]
[[Category:People from Jaffa]]
[[Category:People from Toronto]]
[[Category:Former Greek Orthodox Christians]]
[[Category:Prosperity theologians]]
[[Category:Israeli Protestants]]
[[Category:Israeli emigrants to Canada]]
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:Canadian evangelicals]]
[[Category:Arab citizens of Israel]]
[[Category:American people of Palestinian descent]]
[[Category:American people of Greek descent]]
[[Category:American people of Armenian descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Palestinian descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Greek descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Armenian descent]]
[[Category:Israeli people of Armenian descent]]
[[Category:Israeli people of Greek descent]]
[[Category:Israeli people of Palestinian descent]]
{{pp-semi-blp|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
|birth_name = Toufik Benedictus Hinn
| image =
| image_size =
| caption = Hinn at a miracle crusade
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1952|12|3}}
| birth_place = [[Jaffa, Israel]]<ref name="FifthEstate" /><ref name=About-BHM>{{cite web|title=About us|url=http://www.bennyhinn.org/about-us|work=Benny Hinn Ministries|accessdate=10 September 2013|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908055219/http://www.bennyhinn.org/about-us|archivedate=8 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = [[Televangelist]], author, speaker
| spouse = Suzanne Harthern
(m. 4 August 1979, divorced 2010; remarried 3 March 2013)
| parents =
| children = Three daughters, one son
| website = {{URL|http://www.bennyhinn.org/}}
}}
'''Toufik Benedictus''' "'''Benny'''" '''Hinn''' (born 3 December 1952) is an Israeli [[televangelist]], best known for his regular "Miracle Crusades"—[[revival meeting]] or [[faith healing]] summits that are usually held in stadiums in major cities, which are later broadcast worldwide on his television program, ''[[This Is Your Day]]''.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/benny-hinn-gives-aid-for-tsunami-victims/story-uEsiQ2y9oxndDxfs6wiW7O.html
| title=Benny Hinn gives aid for tsunami victims
|date=3 January 2007
| accessdate=2007-08-19
| publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]
}}</ref>
==History==
Hinn was born in [[Jaffa]], in 1952, in the then newly established state of [[Israel]]<ref name="FifthEstate" /> to parents born in [[Mandatory Palestine|Palestine]] with Greek, Palestinian and Armenian heritage.<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ghePZwMqY3sC&pg=PP10#v=onepage&q&f=false He Touched Me: An Autobiography], Benny Hinn, "Immediately following World War I, my dad's great-grandfather and his family – the Costandis – emigrated from their native Greece to Alexandria, Egypt... Later one of the Hinn sons (my grandfather) moved from Egypt to Palestine and settled in the thriving Arab community of Jaffa... Although my mother was born in Palestine, her mother's family emigrated from the impoverished southern European nation of Armenia to Beirut, Lebanon, many years earlier. Her father, Salem Salameh, was a Palestinian."</ref> He was raised within the [[Eastern Orthodox]] tradition.<ref>Nickell, Joe. [http://www.csicop.org/si/show/benny_hinn_healer_or_hypnotist/ "Benny Hinn: Healer or Hypnotist?"]. Volume 26.3, May / June 2002. ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]''</ref>
Soon after the [[Six-Day War|1967 Arab–Israeli War]] ("The Six-Day War"), Hinn's family emigrated to [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada, where he attended the [[Georges Vanier Secondary School]]. He did not graduate. In his books, Hinn states that his father was the mayor of Jaffa at the time of his birth and that he was socially isolated as a child and was handicapped by a severe [[stutter]], but that he was nonetheless a first-class student.<ref name="GoodMorningHolySpirit2">Benny Hinn, ''[[Good Morning, Holy Spirit]]'', chapter 2</ref> These claims, however, have been disputed by critics of Hinn.<ref name="Heretic">{{cite news|last=Bloom |first=John |title=The Heretic |publisher=[[D Magazine]] |date=August 2003 |url=http://www.trinityfi.org/press/heretic.html |accessdate=2016-09-03 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204235504/http://www.trinityfi.org/press/heretic.html |archivedate=4 December 2003 |df=dmy }}</ref> As a teenager in Toronto, Hinn converted from [[Greek Orthodoxy]] to [[Pentecostalism]], eventually joining a singing troupe made up of young [[evangelicals]]. According to a 2004 [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] report on Hinn, his newfound religious devotion during this period became so intense that his family became concerned that he was turning into a [[religious fanatic]]. Hinn was taught the Bible and was mentored by Dr. [[Winston I. Nunes]] of Broadview Faith Temple in Toronto.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trinitygospel.com/aboutus.asp|title=www.trinitygospel.com|publisher=}}</ref>
Hinn has written that on 21 December 1973, he traveled by charter bus from [[Toronto]] to [[Pittsburgh]] to attend a "miracle service" conducted by evangelist [[Kathryn Kuhlman]]. Although he never met her personally, he often attended her "healing services" and has often cited her as an influence in his life.<ref name="GoodMorningHolySpirit2" />
On moving to the United States, Hinn traveled to [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], Florida, where he founded the Orlando Christian Center in 1983. Eventually, he began claiming that God was using him as a [[Conduit (spiritualism)|conduit]] for healings, and began holding healing services in his church. These new "Miracle Crusades" were soon held at large stadiums and auditoriums across the United States and the world, the first nationally televised service being held in [[Flint, Michigan|Flint]], Michigan, in 1989. During the early 1990s, he launched a new daily talk show called ''[[This Is Your Day]]'', which to this day airs clips of supposed miracles from Hinn's Miracle Crusades. The program premiered on the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] of [[Paul Crouch]], who would become one of Hinn's most outspoken defenders and allies. Hinn's ministry began to rapidly grow from there, winning praise as well as criticism from fellow Christian leaders. In 1999, he stepped down as pastor of the Orlando Christian Center, moving his ministry's administrative headquarters to [[Grapevine, Texas|Grapevine]], Texas, a suburb of [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]], while hosting ''This Is Your Day'' from a television studio in [[Orange County, California|Orange County]], California, where he now lives with his family. His former church was renamed Faith World Church under the leadership of Clint Brown, who merged his Orlando church with Hinn's.
== Ministry and theology ==
Benny Hinn is the author of a number of Christian books. His thirty-minute TV program ''This Is Your Day'' is among the world's most-watched Christian programs, seen on various Christian television networks, including [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]], [[Daystar Television Network]], [[Revelation TV]], [[Grace TV]], [[Vision TV]], [[INSP Networks]], and [[The God Channel]].<ref name="VCU">{{cite web|url=http://www.has.vcu.edu/wrs/profiles/BennyHinn|title=Benny Hinn Ministries|author1=David G. Bromley|author2=Leah M. Hott|publisher=World Religions & Spirituality Project VCU|date=3 June 2013|accessdate=19 December 2013}}</ref>
Hinn conducts regular "Miracle Crusades"—[[revival meeting]] / [[faith healing]] events held in sports stadiums in major cities throughout the world. Tens of millions attend his Holy Spirit Miracle Crusades each year.<ref name="VCU"/>{{dubious|date=January 2016}} Hinn claims to have spoken to one billion people through his crusades, including memorable crusades with attendance of 7.3 million people (in three services) in India, the largest healing service in recorded history.<ref name="Benny Hinn Ministries">{{cite web|url = http://www.bennyhinn.org/aboutus/articledesc.cfm?id=1386|title = About Us|publisher = Benny Hinn Ministries|accessdate = 2007-08-01|deadurl = yes|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080119104507/http://www.bennyhinn.org/aboutus/articledesc.cfm?id=1386|archivedate = 19 January 2008|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Rediff">{{cite web|url = http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/jan/24hinn.htm| title = Benny Hinn winds up India trip|publisher =[[Rediff.com|Rediff]]|accessdate = 2007-08-01}}</ref><ref name="Streaming Faith">{{cite web|url = http://www.streamingfaith.com/directory/broadcaster.aspx?TalentID=1018|title = Pastor Benny Hinn|publisher = Streaming Faith|accessdate = 2007-08-01|deadurl = yes|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071216201416/http://www.streamingfaith.com/directory/broadcaster.aspx?TalentID=1018|archivedate = 16 December 2007|df = dmy-all}}</ref> [[Evander Holyfield]], who was diagnosed with a non-compliant left ventricle, has credited his healing to Benny Hinn, stating that through God working through Hinn, he was healed as he had "a warm feeling" go through his chest as Hinn touched him.<ref name="Jet">{{cite book|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=8LoDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA46&dq=Holyfield+Benny+Hinn&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pUozT6DvJeb40gHc1_XHAg&ved=0CEIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Holyfield%20Benny%20Hinn&f=false| title = Jet (Jul 4, 1994)|publisher =[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|accessdate = 8 February 2012|quote=Holyfield, 31, has a non-compliant left ventricle, or "stiff heart," which prevents sufficient oxygen from being pumped to muscles and tissues. The problem was discovered after his April 22 title-fight loss to Michael Moorer. Holyfield claims he was cured by faith healer Benny Hinn during a Christian revival in Philadelphia. "My heart is better," he said. During the revival Holyfield dropped to the stage three times and said he had "a warm feeling" go through his chest as Hinn touched him during the healing session.}}</ref><ref name="Holyfield">{{cite book|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=ypj_zXPjli0C&pg=PA209&dq=people+healed+by+benny+hinn+Holyfield&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Ek8zT_GGPLKE0QGBmu2bAg&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false| title = Becoming Holyfield: a fighter's journey|publisher =[[Simon & Schuster]]|accessdate = 8 February 2012|quote=So did Benny Hinn heal me? Was it a miracle? No, Hinn didn't heal me. God healed me, working through Hinn.|author=Evander Holyfield, Lee Gruenfeld}}</ref>
Hinn's teachings are [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] and [[charismatic]], accepting the validity of [[spiritual gifts]], and [[Word of Faith]] in origin, with a focus on [[Prosperity theology|financial prosperity]]. Some doctrine and practices that Hinn teaches would be thought unusual in mainstream Christianity.<ref>John MacArthur ''Charismatic Chaos'' (GrandRapids: Zondervan, 1993) 334</ref> The [[charismatic (Christians)|charismatic]] Christian community (who, according to a 2007 study by [[The Barna Group]], make up 46% of United States Protestants and 36% of United States Catholics),<ref>''[[The Barna Group]],'' [https://web.archive.org/web/20090315060438/http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/18-congregations/52-is-american-christianity-turning-charismatic "Is American Christianity Turning Charismatic?"] Accessed 17 April 2008.</ref> is very diverse, and Hinn's ideas are not universally accepted.
== Missions ==
Benny Hinn Ministries claims to support 60 mission organizations across the world and several orphanages around the world, and claims to house and feed over 100,000 children a year and support 45,000 children daily because of his donors.<ref>{{YouTube|u27B11MjNDg|Benny Hinn – Orphanages and Missions (1)}}.</ref><ref>{{YouTube|OdZCk8X6vzE|Benny Hinn – Orphanages and Missions (2)}}.</ref>
Benny Hinn Ministries donated $100,000 for relief supplies for [[Hurricane Katrina]] victims in 2005, and $250,000 to the tsunami relief effort in 2007.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/karnataka/Benny-Hinn-gives-aid-for-tsunami-victims/Article1-27703.aspx| title=Benny Hinn gives aid for tsunami victims| accessdate=3 January 2007| deadurl=yes| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605020746/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/karnataka/Benny-Hinn-gives-aid-for-tsunami-victims/Article1-27703.aspx| archivedate=5 June 2011| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
==Criticism and controversy==
In March 1993 ''[[Inside Edition]]'' reported on Hinn's $685,000 Orlando home and [[Mercedes-Benz]], despite Hinn having previously claiming a "modest lifestyle". An employee of ''Inside Edition'' also faked a healing from [[Cerebral palsy]] which was shown on Hinn's regular broadcast.<ref>{{cite news|title=Preacher Changes His Ways|date=2 October 1993|work=The Tampa Tribune| publisher = [[Ancestry.com#Newspapers.com]]|subscription=yes}}</ref>
A controversial aspect of Hinn's ministry is his teaching on, and demonstration of, a phenomenon he dubs "The [[Anointing]]"—the power purportedly given by God and transmitted through Hinn to carry out supernatural acts. At his Miracle Crusades, he has allegedly healed attendees of blindness, [[deafness]], cancer, AIDS,<ref name="ApologeticIndex">{{cite web|url=http://www.apologeticsindex.org/h04.html|title=Benny Hinn – Truth or Consequences? (Part 3)|author=Let Us Reason Ministries|accessdate=2010-10-25}}</ref> and severe physical injuries. However, investigative reports by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', [[NBC]]'s ''[[Dateline NBC|Dateline]]'', the [[CBC Television|CBC]]'s ''[[The Fifth Estate (TV)|The Fifth Estate]]'', and the [[Nine Network]]'s ''[[60 Minutes (Australian TV program)|60 Minutes]]'' have called these claims into question.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}
Hinn has also caused controversy for theological remarks and claims he has made during TV appearances. In 1999, Hinn appeared on the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]], claiming that God had given him a vision predicting the resurrection of thousands of dead people after watching the network—laying out a scenario of people placing their dead loved ones' hands on TV screens tuned into the station—and suggesting that TBN would be "an extension of [[Heaven]] to [[Earth]]."{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}
===''A Question of Miracles''===
In April 2001, [[HBO]] aired a documentary entitled ''A Question of Miracles'' that focused on Hinn and a well-documented fellow Word-of-Faith German minister based in Africa, [[Reinhard Bonnke]].<ref>{{IMDb title|0447686|A Question of Miracles}}</ref> Both Hinn and Bonnke offered full access to their events to the documentary crew, and the documentary team followed seven cases of "miracle healings" from Hinn's crusade over the next year. The film's director, [[Antony Thomas]], told [[CNN]]'s [[Kyra Phillips]] that they did not find any cases where people were actually healed by Hinn.<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0104/15/sm.13.html Do Miracles Actually Occur?], [[CNN.com]] transcripts. 2001-04-15</ref> Thomas said in a ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' interview that "If I had seen miracles [from Hinn's ministry], I would have been happy to trumpet it... but in retrospect, I think they do more damage to Christianity than the most committed atheist."<ref>Finn, Robin. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CEFDE1131F936A25757C0A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print COVER STORY; Want Pathos, Pain and Courage? Get Real], ''The New York Times'', 2001-04-15</ref>
==="Do You Believe in Miracles"===
In November 2004, the [[CBC Television]] show ''[[The Fifth Estate (TV)|The Fifth Estate]]'' did a special titled "Do You Believe in Miracles" on the apparent transgressions committed by Benny Hinn's ministry.<ref name="FifthEstate">{{cite news
| last = McKeown
| first = Bob
| title = Do You Believe in Miracles?
|authorlink = Bob McKeown
| work = [[The Fifth Estate (TV)|The Fifth Estate]]
| publisher = [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]
|date=December 2004
| url = http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/main_miracles.html
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130810164015/http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/main_miracles.html
| dead-url = yes
| archive-date = 2013-08-10
| accessdate =2013-10-29
}}
</ref>
With the aid of hidden cameras and crusade witnesses, the producers of the show demonstrated Hinn's apparent misappropriation of funds, his fabrication of the truth, and the way in which his staff chose crusade audience members to come on stage to proclaim their miracle healings.<ref name="FifthEstate"/> In particular, the investigation highlighted the fact that the most desperate miracle seekers who attend a Hinn crusade—the quadriplegics, the brain-damaged, virtually anyone with a visibly obvious physical condition—are never allowed up on stage; those who attempt to get in the line of possible healings are intercepted and directed to return to their seats.
At one Canadian service, hidden cameras showed a mother who was carrying her [[muscular dystrophy]]-afflicted daughter, Grace, being stopped by two screeners when they attempted to get into the line for a possible blessing from Hinn. The screeners asked the mother if Grace had been healed, and when the mother replied in the negative, they were told to return to their seats; the pair got out of line, but Grace, wanting "Pastor Benny to pray for [her]," asked her mother to support her as she tried to walk as a show of "her faith in action," according to the mother. After several unsuccessful attempts at walking, the pair left the arena in tears, both mother and daughter visibly upset at being turned aside and crying as they explained to the undercover reporters that all Grace had wanted was for Hinn to pray for her, but the staffers rushed them out of the line when they found out Grace had not been healed.<ref name="FifthEstate" /> A week later at a service in Toronto, Baptist evangelist Justin Peters, who wrote his Masters in Divinity thesis on Benny Hinn<ref name="JustinPetersThesis">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/thesis.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810184800/http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/thesis.pdf|dead-url=yes|archive-date=2013-08-10|title=Benny Hinn and Healing|author=Peters, Justin|accessdate=2013-10-29 | work=CBC News}}</ref> and has attended numerous Hinn crusades since 2000 as part of his research for his thesis and for a seminar he developed about the Word of Faith movement entitled ''A Call for Discernment'',<ref name="ACallForDiscernment">{{cite web|url=http://justinpeters.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=5|title=Seminar overview for ''A Call for Discernment''|author=Peters, Justin|accessdate=2010-07-14}}</ref> also demonstrated to the hidden cameras that "people who look like me"—Peters has [[cerebral palsy]], walks with arm-crutches, and is obviously and visibly disabled—"are ''never'' allowed on stage [...] it's always somebody who has some disability or disease that cannot be readily seen." Like Grace and her mother, Peters was quickly intercepted as he came out of the wheelchair section (there is one at every crusade, situated at the back of the audience, far away from the stage, and never filmed for Hinn's TV show) in an attempt to join the line of those waiting to go onstage, and was told to take a seat.<ref name="FifthEstate" />
This segment was later edited with new footage and shown on ''Dateline: NBC'' in November 2005.{{Citation needed|date=June 2018}}
===Ministry Watch issues "Donor Alert"===
In March 2005, [[Ministry Watch]] issued a Donor Alert against the ministry.<ref>[http://www.ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/pdf/MWDA_053105_BennyHinn.pdf MinistryWatch.com Recommends that Donors Withhold Giving to Benny Hinn Ministries] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222161206/http://ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/pdf/MWDA_053105_BennyHinn.pdf |date=22 February 2007 }}, [[Ministry Watch]], May 2005</ref> Benny Hinn Ministries is not a member of the [[Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apologeticsindex.org/h01.html|title=Benny Hinn : Apologetics research resources|publisher=}}</ref>
===Senate investigation===
[[File:Gulfstream G-400.jpg|thumbnail|right|Critics accuse Hinn of using the ministry's Gulfstream G4SP jet for personal vacations funded by tax-free donations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Ministry-solicits-to-pay-for-jet-1849427.php|title=Ministry solicits to pay for jet|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|tVG1x-rh6FE}}</ref>]]
{{main|United States Senate inquiry into the tax-exempt status of religious organizations}}
In 2007, [[United States Senate|United States Senator]] [[Chuck Grassley]] announced [[United States Senate inquiry into the tax-exempt status of religious organizations|an investigation]] of Hinn's ministry by the [[United States Senate Committee on Finance]]. In a letter to BHM,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://media.npr.org/documents/2007/nov/grassley/hinn.pdf | title=Read Grassley's Letters | publisher=[[npr.org]] | date=4 December 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate=2007-12-10 | format=PDF | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810214446/http://media.npr.org/documents/2007/nov/grassley/hinn.pdf | archivedate=10 August 2013 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Grassley asked for the ministry to divulge financial information<ref>{{cite news |
url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16860611|
title=Senator Probes Megachurches' Finances by Kathy Lohr | publisher=[[npr.org]] | date=4 December 2007 | first= | last= }}</ref> to the Senate Committee on Finance to determine if Hinn made any personal profit from financial donations, and requested that Hinn's ministry make the information available. The investigation also scrutinized five other televangelists: [[Paula White]], [[Kenneth Copeland]], [[Eddie L. Long]], [[Joyce Meyer]], and [[Creflo Dollar]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/06/cbsnews_investigates/main3462147.shtml | title=Televangelists Living Like Kings? | publisher=[[CBS News]] |date= 6 November 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate =2007-09-17}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news
| last = Lohr
| first = Kathy
| title = Senator Probes Megachurches' Finances
| work =
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = [[National Public Radio]]
| date= 4 December 2007
| url = https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16860611
| accessdate = 2007-12-06 }}</ref>
In December 2007, Hinn said he would not respond to the inquiry until 2008.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071206_1__Aseco62017 | title=Hinn joins Dollar in refusing to answer questions in Senate investigation| publisher=[[Tulsa World]] |date= 6 December 2007| accessdate =2007-12-06}}</ref> The ministry subsequently responded to the inquiry, and Grassley said that "...Benny Hinn [has] engaged in open and honest dialogue with committee staff. They have not only provided responses to every question but, in the spirit of true cooperation, also have provided information over and above what was requested."<ref>
{{cite press release
| title = Grassley Update on Ministry Responses, Background Questions and Answers
| publisher = Senator [[Chuck Grassley]]
| date = 7 July 2008
| url = http://grassley.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=fe9bb4ff-e266-e111-a62f-f246986f15ce&Month=7&Year=2008
| accessdate = 2008-07-29
| deadurl = yes
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080730222121/http://grassley.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=fe9bb4ff-e266-e111-a62f-f246986f15ce&Month=7&Year=2008
| archivedate = 30 July 2008
| df = dmy-all
}}</ref>
The investigation concluded in 2011 with no penalties or findings of wrongdoing. The final report raised questions about personal use of church-owned luxury goods and a lack of financial oversight on the ministries' boards, which are often populated with family and friends of the televangelist. Hinn's group reported to the committee that it complied with tax regulations and had made changes in compensation and governance procedures.<ref name="msnbc1">{{Cite web| title=Televangelists escape penalty in Senate inquiry |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40960871/ns/politics-capitol_hill/ |publisher=''[[MSNBC]]'' |accessdate= 2011-04-08 |author=Rachel Zoll |date=7 January 2011}}</ref><ref name='2011-01-07 CBN'>{{cite news | title = Probe of Televangelists Finds 'No Wrongdoing' | date = 7 January 2011 | url = http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/January/Probe-of-Televangelists-Finds-No-Wrongdoing/ | work = Christian Broadcasting Network | accessdate = 2013-05-14}}</ref>
==Marriage==
Hinn married Suzanne Harthern on 4 August 1979.<ref>[http://www.bennyhinnbiography.com/meet-suzanne.htm "Finding His Life Partner, Suzanne Hinn", BennyHinnBiography.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206031940/http://www.bennyhinnbiography.com/meet-suzanne.htm |date=6 December 2009 }} Accessed 18 February 2010</ref> The couple have four children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/02/wife-of-televangelist-benny-hinn-files-for-divorce.html|title=Wife of televangelist Benny Hinn files for divorce|author=Robert J. Lopez|publisher=LA Times|date=18 February 2010|accessdate=19 December 2013}}</ref> Suzanne filed divorce papers in California's [[Orange County, California|Orange County]] Superior Court on 1 February 2010, citing "irreconcilable differences."<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/18/benny-hinn-divorce-wife-s_n_468296.html Benny Hinn Divorce: Wife Suzanne Hinn Files For Divorce From Televangelist ]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/February/Hinn-Speaks-Out-about-Divorce-Announcement/|title=Hinn Breaks Silence on Divorce Announcement - US - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com|publisher=}}</ref> In July 2010, both Hinn and fellow televangelist [[Paula White]] denied allegations in the ''[[National Enquirer]]'' that the two were engaged in an affair.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/July/Evangelists-Hinn-White-Deny-Affair-Allegations/ Evangelists Hinn, White Deny Affair Allegations], Christian Broadcasting Network, 26 July 2010</ref> Hinn was sued in February 2011 by the Christian publishing house Strang Communications, which claimed that a relationship with White did occur and that Hinn had violated the morality clause of his contract with the company.<ref>[http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2011/02/benny_hinn_sued.html Benny Hinn Sued by Strang Co.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224032714/http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2011/02/benny_hinn_sued.html |date=24 February 2011 }}, ''Christianity Today'', 21 February 2011</ref>
In May 2012, Hinn announced that he and Suzanne had begun reconciliation during the Christmas season of 2011,<ref>{{cite web|title=Benny Hinn Announces Reconciliation With Former Wife|url=http://global.christianpost.com/news/benny-hinn-announces-reconciliation-with-wife-75733/|publisher=[[The Christian Post]]|date=29 May 2012|accessdate=25 June 2012}}</ref> stating that the split had been caused by her addiction to prescription drugs and antidepressants and citing his busy schedule and lack of time for his wife and children.<ref>{{cite web|title=Benny Hinn Says Wife's Drug Problems Led to Divorce, Praises God's Reconciling Power|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/benny-hinn-says-wifes-drug-problems-led-to-divorce-praises-gods-reconciling-power-76585/|date=13 June 2012|accessdate=25 June 2012|publisher=The Christian Post}}</ref> In October 2012, Hinn announced that he and Suzanne would remarry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/jack-hayford-to-perform-benny-and-suzanne-hinns-remarriage-77312/|title=Jack Hayford to Perform Benny and Suzanne Hinn's Remarriage|author=Michael Gryboski|date=27 June 2012|accessdate=4 August 2012|publisher=[[The Christian Post]]}}</ref> Benny and Suzanne remarried on 3 March 2013, at the [[Holy Land Experience]] theme park, in a traditional ceremony lasting over two hours and attended by approximately 1,000 well-wishers, including many visiting Christian leaders. [[Jack Hayford]] referred to the remarriage as "a miracle of God's grace".<ref name="OS wedding">{{cite news|last=Kunerth|first=Jeff|title=Televangelist Benny Hinn remarries ex-wife at Holy Land Experience|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/blogs/religion-world/os-benny-hinn-remarries-exwife-at-holyland-experience-20130404,0,6455504.post|accessdate=17 June 2013|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=4 April 2013}}</ref>
== Published works ==
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Kathryn Kuhlman: Her Spiritual Legacy and Its Impact on My Life |publisher=W Pub Group |location= |isbn=0-7852-7888-5 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title= [[Good Morning, Holy Spirit]] | publisher=Nelson Books |location= |isbn=0-7852-7176-7 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=He Touched Me an Autobiography |publisher=Nelson Books |location= |isbn=0-7852-7887-7 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=The Anointing |publisher=Nelson Books |location= |isbn=0-7852-7168-6 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Welcome, Holy Spirit How You Can Experience The Dynamic Work of the Holy Spirit in Your Life |publisher=Nelson Books |location= |isbn=0-7852-7169-4 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=This Is Your Day for a Miracle |publisher=Creation House |location=Orlando, FL |isbn=0-88419-391-8 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=The Biblical Road to Blessing |publisher=Thomas Nelson Inc |location=Nashville, Tenn |isbn=0-7852-7517-7 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Miracle of Healing |publisher=J. Countryman |location=Nashville, Tenn |isbn=0-8499-5399-5 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=The Blood |publisher=Charisma House |location=Lake Mary, FL |isbn=0-88419-763-8 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Going Deeper with the Holy Spirit |publisher=Benny Hinn Ministries |location= |isbn=1-59024-039-1 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Lord, I Need a Miracle |publisher=Thomas Nelson Inc |location=Nashville, Tenn |isbn=0-8407-6251-8 |oclc= |doi=}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Total Recovery, Supernatural Restoration and Release
|publisher=Clarion Call Marketing, Inc |location=Dallas, Texas |isbn=1-59574-038-4 |oclc= |doi=}}
== See also ==
* [[Charismatic movement]]
* [[Kathryn Kuhlman]]
* [[List of television evangelists]]
* [[Prosperity Gospel]]
* [[Televangelism]]
* [[Word of Faith]]
==References==
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{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
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* {{Official website|http://www.bennyhinn.org}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080526060741/http://ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=591245704 Ministry Watch Report on Benny Hinn]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120926041348/http://www.daystar.com/shows/this-is-your-day-with-benny-hinn/ This is Your Day with Benny Hinn – Daystar Television] – Benny Hinn on Daystar Television
* RICHES Podcast Documentaries: [https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/items/show/2466 Calvary Assembly and Benny Hinn, Part 1]
* RICHES Podcast Documentaires: [https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/items/show/2467 Calvary Assembly and Benny Hinn, Part 2]
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[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:American television evangelists]]
[[Category:Canadian television evangelists]]
[[Category:Faith healers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Converts to Protestantism from Eastern Orthodoxy]]
[[Category:People from Jaffa]]
[[Category:People from Toronto]]
[[Category:Former Greek Orthodox Christians]]
[[Category:Prosperity theologians]]
[[Category:Israeli Protestants]]
[[Category:Israeli emigrants to Canada]]
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:Canadian evangelicals]]
[[Category:Arab citizens of Israel]]
[[Category:American people of Palestinian descent]]
[[Category:American people of Greek descent]]
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[[Category:Canadian people of Palestinian descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Greek descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Armenian descent]]
[[Category:Israeli people of Armenian descent]]
[[Category:Israeli people of Greek descent]]
[[Category:Israeli people of Palestinian descent]]
