Washington (State) Attorney General endorses prayer, but only if real people do it

[muriel_volestrangler]

Washington AG halts deceptive practices of “online prayer” and “consumer complaint” service

Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced that his office has put a stop to the deceptive business practices of a Seattle-based man and his three companies who will pay back as much as $7,750,000 to approximately 165,000 consumers nationwide.
...
Rogovy’s actions violate the state Consumer Protection Act, which forbids businesses from making false claims, and the Charitable Solicitations Act, which prohibits churches and charities from using misleading or deceptive statements in any charitable solicitation.

“I believe in the power of prayer,” said Ferguson. “What I do not believe in and what I will not tolerate is unlawful businesses that prey upon people — taking advantage of their faith or their need for help — in order to make a quick buck.”
...
Rogovy and the CPC created fake religious leaders and posted false testimonials in order to attract consumers. The CPC claimed that “Pastor John Carlson” solely ran the sites. It would send weekly inspirational emails to consumers under the pastor’s name, and even created a fake LinkedIn profile that described the Pastor’s experience as “Senior Pastor, Christian Prayer Center, January 2009 — present.” CPC also used the name “Pastor Eric Johnston” to sign consumer correspondence. Neither of these people exist.

http://kbkw.com/washington-ag-halts-deceptive-practices-online-prayer-consumer-complaint-service/

Fake people praying? Fraud. Fake receiver of prayers? Freedom of religion, baby. But the Washington Attorney General tells you it works.

[rug]

1. Reminds me of this:

In China, the state decides who can come back from the dead

http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-china-reincarnation-law-20160307-story.html

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Or this:

From the earliest days of Christianity, the Church taught that praying for the dead was an obligation, an act of charity believed to help souls enter into the fullness of heaven more quickly.

“They’re called ‘poor’ (souls) because they can no longer merit,” said Tassone. “They rely totally on us. They’re called poor because they don’t know when they will reach heaven … the soul cries out: ‘God! God! I must be with God!’”

“The best devotion to help the holy souls is the holy sacrifice of the Mass,” said Tassone, who herself has led efforts to raise more than $2 million for stipends for some 400,000 Masses for the dead worldwide. “It’s the most efficacious means to relieve and release these suffering souls.”

“Offer Gregorian Masses for them,” Tassone suggested. “Put them in your will!”

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/catholic-author-encourages-prayers-for-souls-in-purgatory/

What are Gregorian Masses? The name is derived from Pope St. Gregory the Great who was the first to popularize this pious practice. St. Gregory relates in his Dialogues how, when he had finished the series of thirty Masses for a departed Monk, the monk appeared to tell him he had thus gained entry into glory on completion of the Gregorian Masses. The hallowed tradition has been declared “a pious and reasonable belief of the faithful” on the authority of the Sacred Roman Congregation on Indulgences. The Gregorian Masses are offered for ONE DECEASED SOUL … not a couple or family. PUT THEM IN YOUR WILLS!

As you will appreciate, few priests by reason of their work are free and able to offer the thirty consecutive Masses of the Gregorian series without interruption. Hence, it requires extra time to arrange to have the Gregorian Masses scheduled, as this cannot be done usually in a place where there are only a few priests. This is why they are usually offered through the “Missions.” The customary offering for the uninterrupted series of thirty daily consecutive Masses is $300.

And remember to have Masses offered for yourselves, special occasions, during the Holidays. It is a refreshing surprise to give someone the gift of prayer! St. Anselm tells us that those we hear or have offered during life are more profitable than those offered for us after death. In this way we shall not be at the mercy of those who remain behind. There is much truth in the proverb which says: “A candle placed before us gives more light than ten candles placed behind us.” Only by the means of the Mass can we nourish the hope of being received into Heaven immediately after death, without having to pass through the cleansing flames of Purgatory.

Read* my new book, Praying with the Saints for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for more detailed information about Gregorian Masses and Masses for the Living!

http://susantassone.com/masses/

*Oddly, the link for 'read my new book' goes to a page where you can buy her books, not read them. But I'm sure that's just a clerical error she'll correct any moment now. I mean, who would want to profit from souls in purgatory?

Now with the hallmark of saintly approval!

Susan Tassone

Susan Tassone has long been a passionate champion for the holy souls in purgatory and is recognized as leading the “purgatory movement” in the United States. She is a best-selling author whose first work, The Way of the Cross for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, has sold more than 75,000 copies. In addition to her many writings on behalf of those in purgatory, she is a popular speaker and frequent guest on radio and TV shows. Susan holds a master’s degree in religious education from Loyola University and has had the honor and privilege of being granted two private audiences with Blessed Pope John Paul II, who bestowed a special blessing upon her and her ministry for the holy souls.

http://susantassone.com/

[rug]

7. Will you be having any special observance for the 500th anniversary of the 95 Theses next year?

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. I'm holding out for the 400th anniversary of the Thirty Years' War, the year after (nt)

[cleanhippie]

2. This was probably taking away money from the Sunday collection plate, so it had to be stopped.

Money. It always comes down to the money.

[trotsky]

3. So, basically...

if the guy had real pastors and testimonies and not fake ones, what he did would have been perfectly fine.

Ah, religion.

[immoderate]

4. So glad the government can differentiate "real" religion from "fake" religion.

That is hard to do.

--imm

[RKP5637]

5. Get Religion, it's a real money maker!!!!!!! No training required, no ethics required, nothing

required. Just watch the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$'s flow in.