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Fortune Teller Convicted of Fraud

Does this set a precident where someone could sue other religions for defrauding them of their money? Could someone in NICOSIA, Cyprus sue the church for tithes paid? How does one determine which beliefs are fraudulent?

asbestosman wrote:Fortune Teller Convicted of Fraud

Does this set a precident where someone could sue other religions for defrauding them of their money? Could someone in NICOSIA, Cyprus sue the church for tithes paid? How does one determine which beliefs are fraudulent?

The problem with most things religious, is that the claims are unfalsifiable. Thus, they can't really be 'proven' wrong.

However, I think a case could be made for the book of abraham. That's a pretty blatant sham. If someone could somehow prove that they were drawn into the Mormon church based on the claims of the Book of Abraham, and made tithing payments, etc. - they might have a case (or, i guess i should say, they should have a case in my mind).

it's interesting: I'm writing a paper now (taking a break currently as you see) on e-discovery. Can you imagine the discovery process in the law suit. Even with e-discovery - all e-mails regarding Book of Abraham between apostles; all instant messaging between themselves, any letters or grams. If anything is destroyed or withheld (spoilation of evidence) there could be heavy penalties. This is why 90 to 95 percent of civil suits settle during/after the discovery process.

The OP made me laugh whilst trying to use an inhaler.

It deserves the man right for believing he was cursed and believing she could heal him. I think she was prosecuted for exploiting the man. Not fraud.

Would the circumstances be different if it were about sex instead of money? I guess it wouldn't be rape if there was consent, but still we are talking threats. Does it matter if the person relaying the threat actually believes it? How would that be determined?

Wouoldn't it be prima facie evidence that she knew she was committing fraud because if she had been a real fortune teller she would have known she would be brought to trial and convicted?

true story I read in the Orange County Register in mid 1980's - this happened in Santa Ana that had/has a huge immigrant population. I'm pretty sure it was done in spanish. The guy would radomly call women and say that he had the results of their pap smear and that it was abnormal. Of course there are women all the time waiting for the results. He said he had to bring the treatment over to them. He said he had to drink the treatment and then inject in her through intercourse. He did find some very stupid women who believed him. Of course they finally arrested him and convicted him of many things: I think rape and being a fake doctor. But think about today of someone walking up to someone's wife, telling her God wants her to be his wife, has his friend perform the ceremony and then......well you know the rest of the story.

charity wrote:Wouoldn't it be prima facie evidence that she knew she was committing fraud because if she had been a real fortune teller she would have known she would be brought to trial and convicted?

Heh. That's a really clever post, charity. Thanks for making me smile today.

charity wrote:Wouoldn't it be prima facie evidence that she knew she was committing fraud because if she had been a real fortune teller she would have known she would be brought to trial and convicted?

lol

No, it wouldn't. She could claim that she knew but that she was commanded to deliver herself to the law like a weasel to the slaughter--or something like that.

thestyleguy wrote: Of course they finally arrested him and convicted him of many things: I think rape and being a fake doctor.

How did they convict him of rape? Didn't those women consent albeit under false pretenses?