Pat Robertson abusing his nonprofit status with "age-defying" diet shake

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://www.wvec.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8C4H3G01.html

Televangelist's shake draws ire of watchdog group, bodybuilder

08/21/2005

Associated Press

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson's "age-defying" diet shake is causing quite a stir. The shake isn't new; Robertson has been touting its benefits on his nonprofit Christian Broadcasting Network and giving away the recipe free for years. But Robertson recently teamed up with General Nutrition Corp., a Pittsburgh-based health-food chain, to distribute the shake nationally.

That's caused at least one evangelical watchdog group to claim Robertson is abusing his nonprofit status and a scorned bodybuilder who used the shake to help lose nearly 200 pounds to threaten legal action. The televangelist and host of the daily "The 700 Club" says he's simply exercising his right to start a business.

Trinity Foundation, a Dallas-based religious media watchdog organization, has been critical of past Robertson pursuits, including his African gold and diamond mines and Kalo-Vita, a marketing company that sold vitamins and cosmetics. Trinity's president, Ole Anthony, claims Robertson improperly used his tax-exempt, nonprofit ministry to market his shake on his show and CBN's Web site. "It wouldn't exist unless it was promoted on the donor-paid-for airtime," Anthony told The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk.

Robertson, a former presidential candidate, introduced "Pat's Age-Defying Shake" to viewers in August 2001. Robertson, 75, says 1.5 million people have requested the recipe, which includes safflower oil, protein powder and vinegar.

[BikeWriter]

1. He says it's a business. Yes, that's abusing his non-profit status.

[Initech]

2. Wow, after seeing that picture...

Do you really want to trust Pat Robertson's knowledge of nutrition? He looks like he's constipated in that photo.

[SoCalDem]

3. You silly goose.. those are "blessed donations"..not payments

:silly:

[cosmicdot]

4. did God tell him it's OK to defy aging?

just wondering