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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
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> 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