Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site ccivax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!rochester!ritcv!ccivax!guest From: guest@ccivax.UUCP (What's in a name ?) Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: Fallwell's Mass Electrocution of the Masses Message-ID: <322@ccivax.UUCP> Date: Wed, 23-Oct-85 19:23:41 EST Article-I.D.: ccivax.322 Posted: Wed Oct 23 19:23:41 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 31-Oct-85 01:17:59 EST References: <40@drutx.UUCP> <12090@rochester.UUCP> <308@ccivax.UUCP> <391@cylixd.UUCP> Organization: CCI Telephony Systems Group, Rochester NY Lines: 44 > In article <308@ccivax.UUCP> rb@ccivax.UUCP (rex ballard) writes: > > > >...Thanks to Mr. Helms, Rev. Moon can still run his flower business, > >Rev. Falwell can still electrocute his congregation, Jim Jones... > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > Hadn't heard of this one. What's the story behind it? > ----------------------------------------------------------------- > Dave Kirby ( ...!ihnp4!akgub!cylixd!dave) -Rex's Response Rev. Falwell had been "disiplining" children who misbehaved in church (even fell asleep) by putting them on a chair or stool containing little electrodes through which a low current, high voltage shock was delivered. This is also a popular "game" at campus life meetings, where an automobile ignition coil is used to get the "Juice". Falwell's church has discontinued the practice as a result of a threatened lawsuit by a child's parents. I believe that there was a question of heart trouble, but don't know for sure. One "Campus Life" member almost died this way (but no suit was filed). There is a question as to whether there would be criminal liability on the part of the church or the minister, were anyone to have a fatal heart attack while getting his "Jolt" of pennance. The courts have only recently agreed to hear civil cases involving churches. Personally, I wouldn't care if it were the "First Church of Satan", or the "First Babtist Church of Podunk", when a church resorts to crime (electrical shocks of this type are considered assault) of any kind to enforce it's beliefs, it's liability should be the same as any other individual or organization. It's non-profit (tax exempt) status should also be revoked. Unfortunately, Mr Helms has tried to revoke exempt status based on people's beliefs. I suppose there are "Satanist" churches that engage in genuine charitable activities without commiting crimes (Maybe our Wicca expert could describe some of the humanitarian aspects of this faith?), if so, that portion of the organization should be tax exempt. On the other hand, if the Roman Catholic church wants to start producing automobiles or investing in collectables (Art?), I want them to pay taxes on this portion just like everybody else. ..ccivax!rb@ccitv2