ATLANTA, GEORGIA, July 17, 2008: (HPI note: Fox News Atlanta’s “I-Team” has produced a scathing investigative report of Dr. Commander Selvam and his “Hindu Temple of Georgia.” The following is their introduction to the reports, which are available on the links below. HPI notes that this organization is not related in any way with the Hindu Temple of Atlanta.]
You’ve probably heard a lot about the “Prosperity Gospel,” where some Christian preachers make no effort to hide their rich lifestyles, insisting it’s God’s wish for everyone to be prosperous. There’s actually an investigation in Congress right now looking at whether those church leaders, including two metro Atlanta ministers, are dodging IRS rules. The I-Team discovered a different version: a local Hindu leader who sure acts rich and famous. We investigate the Hindu Temple of Georgia and its controversial leader, Dr. Commander Selvam. He calls himself a traveling monk, a guru, a swami, a siddhar. His critics call him a fraud.
We found he certainly breaks the mold of what most Americans might imagine when they think of a Hindu religious leader. Instead of being uninterested in the trappings of worldly possessions, this swami lives in a million-dollar mansion, drives expensive cars and encourages the faithful to pay thousands of dollars to his Temple. What do his followers get in return? His prayerful help in warding off a variety of problems, everything from marriage and immigration issues, to “bad dreams,” “black magic” and “evil power.”
Our story investigates allegations of credit card fraud, deceptive advertising and claims this swami has founded lots of other Hindu temples across the country. The truth is hilarious to see.
But it’s what Dr. Commander told two undercover I-Team members that has some Hindus outraged about what’s really going on inside the Hindu Temple of Georgia.
Video Links:
Part I http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7029210&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.1.1
Part II http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7036060&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.1.1
Blog Links:
part I http://community.myfoxatlanta.com/blogs/RandyTravis/2008/07/17/The_Hindu_Temple_of_Georgia
part II http://community.myfoxatlanta.com/blogs/RandyTravis/2008/07/22/Hindus_Only_Allowed2