Thursday, June 22, 2006

A federal judge in Dallas yesterday ruled against a Christian group whose "million-dollar" gospel tracts were seized by the U.S. Secret Service as "counterfeit money," and a wheelchair-bound man in Las Vegas claims a Secret Service agent threatened him with arrest for passing out the same tracts.

Brian Fahling of the American Family Association Center for Law and Policy, which is representing the Denton, Texas-based Great News Network, had asked the judge to order immediately the return of 8,300 tracts seized by the Secret Service and to prevent the government agency's local field office from arresting anyone who distributes them.

Fahling told WorldNetDaily he's unsure at this point what the judge's negative decision will mean for the Christian evangelists who have been using the tracts, which mimic U.S. currency but have disclaimers along with a gospel message on the back.

"I can't fathom how the judge went their way," said Fahling, who added, nevertheless, he's confident "we'll get relief."

Meanwhile, Fahling is in contact with a man who claims a Secret Service agent threatened him with arrest in downtown Las Vegas for passing out the tracts.

Fahling said he will appeal the rejection of a preliminary injunction to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, a process that will take at least a few months. In the meantime he'll continue with the discovery phase of the case, in preparation for a hearing.

There is no order preventing Great News Network from distributing the tracts. But the Secret Service's Dallas field office, which has no judicial authority, has issued a letter advising the group that it believes the tract is illegal.

The Secret Service insists the tract violates a federal law that says reproductions of currency cannot be regulation size and cannot be two-sided.

Fahling contends the sections of the U.S. code's title 18 cited by the government, 475 and 504, don't apply.

He argues 475 deals only with authorized denominations – there is no $1 million bill – and 504 pertains only to exact copies of currency. The tracts have numerous differences, including the gospel message on the back, he points out.

The judge in Dallas yesterday, in his rejection of the preliminary injunction request, indicated the tract is not sufficiently distinct from actual currency.

Fahling said that judgment would "separate him from 5 million people who would conclude otherwise."

The attorney explained the legal test is whether a reasonable person would be deceived.

As WorldNetDaily reported, the controversy began June 2 when three agents visited the Great News Network office and told a staffer to hand over the tracts.

The tracts are produced by evangelist Ray Comfort, whose Living Waters Ministry in Southern California has been inundated with requests for them since the story broke a week ago.

Fahling said the head of the Los Angeles district of the Secret Service was made aware of the situation but planned to take no action.

But in Las Vegas, 35-year-old Chris Bowen said he was passing out the tract on the city's pedestrian Fremont Street when a Secret Service agent came up from behind, flashed his badge and threatened him with arrest.

Bowen, who is wheelchair-bound, told WND the agent said distributing the tract was illegal: "You're passing out counterfeit money."

Bowen said it appeared the plain-clothed agent, who would not give his name or badge number, was vacationing with family.

The Las Vegas man said he explained the tract was "about Jesus."

According to Bowen, the agent replied, "I don't care, it's counterfeit money. It's the same as any other money."

When Bowen further argued that $1 million bills don't exist, the agent repeated that it didn't matter, "It's counterfeit. I can arrest you right now and charge you with a felony."

Local security officers then showed up and, after consultation with their superior, told Bowen the Secret Service officer was legitimate and he had to turn over the rest of his tracts, which numbered about 30.

Bowen said he then contacted the man from whom he acquired the tracts, who later wrote a letter to Comfort.

Comfort put Bowen in touch with Fahling, who said he wants to talk to the Secret Service before deciding on any legal action.

Bowen, who regularly goes to Fremont Street on weekends to pass out gospel tracts of different kinds, said he's been warned by security officers there that if he passed out the million-dollar tracts they will notify the metro police and have him arrested.

During the seizure in Dallas, the field officer explained to the Great News Network that someone in North Carolina had attempted to deposit one of the million-dollar bills in a bank account. The address of the Texas group was on the back, and the Secret Service went into action.

The tract includes this message: "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 in Jesus, and God will grant you everlasting life. Then read your Bible daily and obey it."

A WND reader has pointed out retail giant Toys R Us has been selling "million-dollar bills," printed on both front and back, for years. In fine print on the back, the bill says, "This instrument is NON negotiable."

World Class Learning Materials sells a set of 100 bills of different denominations it calls "play money"

A website called Prank Place says its currency for sale "looks and feels real. Great conversation tool. Our funny money and fake million dollar bills look just like real U.S. Currency. These are very high quality, designed by an incredibly talented artist. Our fake money make great gifts, additions to greeting cards, or even sales promotions and sales tools."

Related offers:

"How to Bring Your Children to Christ" by Ray Comfort

"Intelligent Design vs. Evolution – letters to an atheist" by Ray Comfort

"Nostradamus: Attack on America" by Ray Comfort

"What Hollywood Believes: An Intimate Look at the Faith of the Famous" by Ray Comfort

Ann Coulter's hottest book ever – "Godless: The Church of Liberalism" takes on Darwin

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