Secret Service Agents Seize Ray Comfort Gospel Tracts ("1 million dollar bill")

WorldViewWeekend.com ^ | 06/02/2006 | Brannon Howse

[TheBattman]

Secret Service Agents Seize Ray Comfort Tracts

Press Release

On June 1st, 2006, Secret Service agents showed up at the office of Great News Network in Dallas, Texas and demanded their entire stock of $1 million dollar gospel tracts that are produced by Ray Comfort’s ministry, Living Waters. The tracts are used by Ray Comfort and his co-host Kirk Cameron and have been promoted on their national television program.

Reports were that the Secret Service was going to pay a visit to Comfort’s national offices in Bellflower, California and confiscate their entire stock. Apparently someone in North Carolina took one of the $1 million dollar tract to a bank and tried to deposit it into their account.

After Ray Comfort alerted Brannon Howse, President of Worldview Weekend and Christian Worldview Network of the Secret Service action, Brannon urged Comfort to call their mutual friend, Tim Wildmon, President of the American Family Association and AFA Center for Law and Policy. After Howse and Comfort contacted Wildmon, AFA’s lead trial attorney took the case.

Ray Comfort told Christian Worldview Network:

People love this gospel tract. It's my personal favorite because it makes people laugh, and the reason they laugh is because they know that there's no such thing as a million dollar bill.

When it comes to producing counterfeit money, there must be intent to defraud. This wasn't produced with the intent to buy anything, or to get change . . . it was produced as a gospel tract. That's its sole intent.

Besides, any bank teller or shop assistant who is duped into giving change on a million dollar bill shouldn't be behind a counter.

Comfort sent out an e-mail alert to his e-mail list telling his thousands of supporters and customers:

Today (Friday, June 2nd) the Secret Service seized a large supply of our Million Dollar Bill tracts from The Great News Network in Texas. They told them that someone in North Carolina tried to deposit one in their bank, and that if they didn't give up their supply, they would arrest them. Then they said they are going to seize our supply in California. If you want Million Dollar bill tracts, you had better order them pronto.

CWN was told by Living Waters’ customer service manager that their website was being slammed with orders after they sent out the e-mail alert.

Brian Fahling, Senior Trial Attorney AFA Center for Law & Policy who is now representing Comfort and his ministry told CWN:

I am more than a little amazed that the Secret Service has chosen to harass Ray Comfort because of his $1 million dollar gospel tracts. It is abundantly clear to anyone with a modicum of common sense that the ‘bills’ are not made with an intent to defraud, but rather, they are distributed with the intent to reveal the Truth (the Gospel message is written around the border on the back of the bill). No thinking person could believe the bills are real. If the Secret Service does not cease from this intrusion upon the free speech rights and free exercise rights of Ray Comfort and others, that agency will be explaining its outrageous conduct to a federal judge.

Apparently some cognitively challenged individual in North Carolina attempted to deposit one of the ‘bills’ into his account and the Secret Service decided that was enough for them to treat the bills as counterfeit. By that type of reasoning, if someone should attempt to deposit Monopoly money in a bank, the Secret Service could seize all the monopoly money held by Americans. Surely the Secret Service has more important things to do.

Comfort was encouraged by his legal counsel not to give the Secret Service his stock of the $1 million dollar tracts if they showed up at his office without a federal warrant. The thinking is that if the agents show a judge a copy of the $1 million dollar tract that he would laugh till he cried and then after catching his breath he would thank the agents for the good laugh and then ask them to stop wasting his time.

Here's the text on the back that should give a clue that it's not Government issued:

The million-dollar question: Will you go to Heaven? Here’s a quick test. Have you ever told a lie, stolen anything, or used God’s name in vain? Jesus said, “Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in his heart.” Have you looked with lust? Will you be guilty on Judgment Day? If you have done those things God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer-at-heart. The Bible warns that if you are guilty you will end up in Hell. That’s not God’s will. He sent His Son to suffer and die on the cross for you. Jesus took your punishment upon Himself—“For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Then He rose from the dead and defeated death. Please, repent (turn from sin) today and trust Jesus, and God will grant you everlasting life. Then read your Bible daily and obey it. www.livingwaters.com

The front of the bill says "This note is not legal tender" as well as "Thou Shalt Not Steal," the words "Department of Eternal Affairs" and the web site www.WayOfTheMasterRadio.com, along with a picture of Grover Cleveland--a President who has never been on any bill.

CWN will keep you updated on this story as it develops.

[TheBattman]

OK - so I have a few of their $1 million bill gospel tracts and have used them from time to time. The ones I have are from their old product. The newer ones that came out recently do, from a distance, look semi-authentic (other than the fact that the are of the $1 MILLION dollar denomination - an rediculous figure.

The fact that some embecile tried to deposit one is a reflection on the lack of intelligence by an individual, not of any attempt by Ray and his ministry to defraud anyone.

Here is the front of the new tract:

I personally have a hard time believing that there is a legitimate threat from these tracts. THe only way someone could possibly be defrauded with these is if there is a collusion between the presenter and the employee of whatever business accepts it.... as what sort of idiot would think such a bill existed? Further - any bank employee who would fall for it isn't really falling for it, but is in on a fraud.

I can't help but think this is just a case of someone in power wanting to dust off the old jackboots.....

[beltfed308]

Besides, any bank teller or shop assistant who is duped into giving change on a million dollar bill shouldn't be behind a counter.

In a nut shell!

[Cricket24]

The Secret Service should have much better things to worry about. It doesn't even look like a real bill plus those real bills don't even exist.
It reminds me of the ATF going after gun show promoters. What a waste of the taxpayers money!
Go after the real criminals, Secret Service!!

[AlaninSA]

Good for the USSS!

Ray Comfort is a nutty, low-cal version of Jack Chick...and as insanely anti-Catholic as Chick is. I'm glad to see my tax dollars at work.

[metmom]

Tried to deposit it? Not only are they clueless but talk about greed. My understanding is that notes like that are not allowed to circulate but are for bank use only.

[Grendel9]

One born every minute....

[sinanju]

Shore is purty, nonetheless.

Nicely designed too. Could it be the use of a real president was what tripped their trigger? What are the rules on that anyway?

[Wombat101]

Two years ago, a woman in North Carolina tried to pass one of those million dollar bills in a local Wal-Mart. She bought about $1k of merchandise and expected $999K in change. The store manager (unusually alert, and showing above-average intelligence for a MASCAR devotee) called the cops, and the whole shebang was quite the cause celebre.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Looks more authentic than this. Ever. Will.

[Wombat101]

Excuse me, that was supposed to be NASCAR. No coffee yet this morning...

[usmcobra]

Can you post a picture of that,say errrrr wallet size?

[WKB]

Ray Should find "Comfort" in the fact
that his tracts are getting national free publicity

[cripplecreek]

Exactly what is the average intelligence of a NASCAR devotee?

[Nevadan]

Rather than being concerned about Gospel tracts, shouldn't the Secret Service be going after that NY Democrat politician who advocated putting a bullet between Bush's eyes?

[Clovis_Skeptic]

excuse me sir, but...uhhh...ya got change for a million??

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

I am certainly relieved to know that my country's bureaucracy is looking out for our financial welfare and putting a stop to this terrorism/fraud! May the SS and the Homeland Security continue to reign supreme and tuck my blanket in nicely around me!

Okay, sarcasm button turned off and removed now.

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

Cosidering NY city folk are crying for more 'security' money, maybe the SS should forward all these tracts to them!
Just don't ever expect any thanx from them.

[Just A Nobody]

Surely the Secret Service has more important things to do.

Yes, like going after the NY pol that said NY SEN. Schmuckie would like to put a bullet between my President's eyes.

Is this SS jurisdiction?

[monkapotamus]

[Jabba the Nutt]

"Besides, any bank teller or shop assistant who is duped into giving change on a million dollar bill shouldn't be behind a counter."

Just ask for a $1000 and tell them to keep the change. ;^)

[Popman]

I'm glad to see my tax dollars at work.

Spend your own money defending your faith.

Remember once the line is crossed that the government decides what is a gospel tract and what isn't, we aren't going back.

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

You are myopic if you think Ray Comfort is anti-Catholic. He is for the Truth of the Bible. And the Truth is, the Roman Catholic church (and several others) esteem non-biblical writings and/or traditions of men equal to or higher than the Word of God. That is idolatry, which the Bible equates to witchcraft.

No religion will save anyone - it's Jesus Christ plus nothing. Ray Comfort understands this and preaches the Gospel of Christ, plus nothing.

[bandleader]

The bank teller in question must have learned to make change at McDonalds!

[gracex7]

Jack Chick and Ray Comfort are not "anti-Catholic". They are anti-Catholicism and have a love for and desire to see Catholics freed from the lies of Rome.

(p.s., I was born and raised RC,but praise God He saved me out of it!)

[Wombat101]

Usually just enough to tie their own shoes with the aid of a government program, but slightly less than that exhibited by the typical Irish Setter.

What else can you say about people who watch cars race around a track in the hopes of seeing an accident and call it "a sport"? Add the right turn to NASCAR and maybe it will reach the status of "pasttime", like baseball.

[JonH]

The article is wrong about Grover Cleveland. At one time when larger denomination bills were in circulation (before 1970), Grover Cleveland's portrait was on bill. I think it was $1,000.00.

[cripplecreek]

Yet apparently smart enough to get you to expose your ignorance.

[metmom]

Eeeeeee!!!! Warn someone first before you post something like that!!!!

[RoadTest]

"Ray Comfort is a nutty, low-cal version of Jack Chick...and as insanely anti-Catholic as Chick is. I'm glad to see my tax dollars at work."

Jack Chick reminds people of the erased history of the Catholic Church, the part they don't want to talk about. Far from being nutty or insane, he is faithful in speaking for the untold numbers of saints tortured and killed by the Catholic Church. They are my brothers and sisters in The Lord.

If Ray Comfort is anything like Jack Chick, he's a great warrior of the True and The Living God, Jesus Christ the Righteous, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and The Judge before whom we will stand on that day, and give an account as to what we have said in our lives.

[Wombat101]

Hey, as a native New Yorker and transplanted-would-be-redneck, I take umbrage!

It's not our fault that East Bumf*ck, Miss. doesn't have a Hazmat crew or proper radiological emergency arrangements, but excuse us while we sratch our heads trying to figure out why any self-respecting terrorist would want to set off a dirty bomb in rural Arkansas (besides it being the incest capital of the country).

Got news for ya: New York was attacked -- Little Rock, Raleigh, Stone Mountain and Texarkana weren't. I don't disagree with the notion that Homeland Security money does need to be more fairly (and wisely) distributed, but please don't treat the deaths of 3,000 people so cavalierly and sarcastically.

We can agree to disagree, but people died, even in a city with a 30,000 member police department and all the services modern society seems to require.

Oh, and by the way; New Yorkers pay far more in federal taxes than they ever seem to get back from the government. Just something to remember while you get your free tax-payer-paid for flu shots and surplus cheese, courtesy of the folks who work for a living on Wall Street, the engine of American economic growth.

[Wombat101]

Ignorance is posting something in the full expectation of getting an insult in return, meekly taking it, and then pretending it was an exercise in virtue.

[SW6906]

Just the other day at a Taco Bell, my bill came to $6.53. I gave the person $22.00 and they just stared at me. They actually keyed it into the register to see what the change would be before the light came on as to why I did that..........

[Ikemeister]

Grover Cleveland's picture is on a $1,000 Bill, so that part is incorrect, but the Secret Service has to have better things to do than to harass Christians.

[cripplecreek]

Ignorance is posting something in the full expectation of getting an insult in return, meekly taking it, and then pretending it was an exercise in virtue.

Ya got that right

and showing above-average intelligence for a MASCAR devotee

[Wombat101]

You DID notice the next post where it was corrected?

You can read, right?

[mockingbyrd]

you know, you should really know what you are talking about before you shoot from the lip concerning the Catholic Church.

[orionblamblam]

> When it comes to producing counterfeit money, there must be intent to defraud. This wasn't produced with the intent to buy anything, or to get change . . . it was produced as a gospel tract.

Hmmm. This raises an obvious question, though... regardless of the form of the gospel tract, was the tract itself an attempt to defraud?

[Wombat101]

Personally, I voted for Bush twice. So, please don't blame me for Kerry. In NY (Like Lousiana) a republican couldn't get elected with much regularity unless he offered free booze and liquor at the polls.

In any case, we've had republican mayors and governors for the last 12 years, and that's in a place where New York City alone accounts for half the population of the state. That ought to tell you something right there.

And New York city was once full of military bases (Brooklyn Navy Yard, Staten Island Homeport, Floyd Bennet Field, Fort Tilden, etc) which were all closed at one tim eor another for political purposes. In New York stated alone, you'll find Fort Drum, Fort Totten, West Point, Plattsburgh AFB. This state shoulders it's military responsibilities, so that argument holds no water.

As for midwesterner's being "more responsible" the myth of the yeoman farmer, self-sufficient, rough and ready, the backbone of American should have died along with the wave of foreclosures that have occurred since the 1970's. There ar plenty of repsonsible and self-sufficient people her eint he Northeast, we're just outnumbered by the dregs of society. Not our fault.

And I never accused you personally of taking a handout. I haven't taken one either. But don't frame the argument as rich, arrogant, selfish New Yorkers begging for money they don't need when we have the ghosts of 3,000 on our minds and the reminder of that day still in plain sight.

[cyclotic]

A few years ago my company was a NASCAR team co-sponsor. I've seen the demographics breakdown of the average NASCAR fan. It was surprisingly high with a large percentage holding college degrees or post graduate.

[cripplecreek]

Pit crews are full of engineering degrees and there are a growing number of drivers with college degrees. My father in law and my mother in law are both MDs and they go to every race at MIS as do my wife (who is a PA) and I.

[DejaJude]

Seems fishy. I'm thinking we'll see this one on Snopes.

[cyclotic]

That was part of the rift between Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman. Rysty would drive and diagnose the car by experience and the seat of his pants, Newman, a mechanical engineer would only use math and computers to study the best way around the track.

[Mister Da]

A visitor from Zimbabwe could easily be fooled by such a large denomination bill.

[Religion Moderator]

This thread is now in the Religion Forum. Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.

Be respectful in your challenges and rebuttals.

For newcomers to the Religion Forum click on my profile page for other guidelines.

[Wilhelm Tell]

A visitor from Zimbabwe could easily be fooled by such a large denomination bill.

Yes, but Zimbabweans are used to seeing $million bills that aren't worth anything.

[samiam1972]

God would never "save you out of" His church. I pray you find your way home soon. You shouldn't listen to the lies of Chick, etc. Read the early Church fathers and your Bible to find the whole truth. Good luck to you!

[Sweetjustusnow]

No religion will save anyone - it's Jesus Christ plus nothing.

Yup ;)