Doomsday prophet, followers ‘flabbergasted’ world didn’t end *snickers*

[jillio]

But I think that is when they personally profited from the money, used it buy cars and houses and clothes and whatever for themselves. There was a case in D.C. like that.

If this "prophet" didn't personally profit, I'm not sure there's a case.

If he told his followers they would go to hell if they didn't cough up the money, that would be duress, probably. From what I gather, though, he didn't do anything like that.

Don't get me wrong; I'd love to see this guy prosecuted or see the people get at least some of their money back without going to trial, but I don't know what the legal grounds would be.

If it could be shown that the result of the billboards and pamphlets had a direct effect on the donations made to Camping's "church"?....I don't know either...just mulling over the possibilities.

 

[StSapphire]

Religion used to commit criminal acts is not subject to that exemption.

Apparently you're unaware of the extremely fuzzy protective blanket religion has in the US. Short of literal criminal acts, they can get away with anything they want, under the guise of "religious freedom".

It didn't deliver the Rapture.

Just saying...other so called religious leaders have been sued for criminal conduct against parishoners.

Name one. Almost all (in recent memory, at least) were prosecuted for either embezzlement or tax fraud. Not for false, erroneous or misleading beliefs.

Indirect profit?

Not illegal, especially since Camping wasn't even drawing a salary.

If it could be shown that the result of the billboards and pamphlets had a direct effect on the donations made to Camping's "church"?....I don't know either...just mulling over the possibilities.

Then it'd be time to prosecute all the churches that have billboards, since those might have some effect on the donations made to their churches, who almost all make erroneous, false and misleading claims. They just have the good sense to be more vague and undisprovable with their claims.

 

[jillio]

Apparently you're unaware of the extremely fuzzy protective blanket religion has in the US. Short of literal criminal acts, they can get away with anything they want, under the guise of "religious freedom".
Apparently, you don't know what I am aware of and what I am not aware of.


Name one. Almost all (in recent memory, at least) were prosecuted for either embezzlement or tax fraud. Not for false, erroneous or misleading beliefs.


Tony Alamo.



Not illegal, especially since Camping wasn't even drawing a salary.

He was profiting personally despite not drawing a salary.


Then it'd be time to prosecute all the churches that have billboards, since those might have some effect on the donations made to their churches, who almost all make erroneous, false and misleading claims. They just have the good sense to be more vague and undisprovable with their claims.

More vague and unprovable is the issue. This was a direct prediction. No fuzzy lines there.

 

[Babyblue]

Ha!!

I doubt he could be successfully sued for fraud because he did not promise a product or service. As others have said, the money was used to buy billboards and advertising. As long as that advertising was delivered as promised, then there is no fraud involved.

People can buy billboards to advertise whatever stupid thing they want. If they use up all their own money in doing so, shame on them, but unless they can prove duress somehow, I doubt they would have a case against this guy.

I would like to see all that to be Audited. To see what money went where.. and see how much actually went in his pocket. I'm sure quite a chunk did.