At 7:42 PM 6/10/96, Rich Burroughs wrote:

.... Okay, how about this: it's a _religion_ that uses deception, mind control techniques, and criminal activities to attempt to get as much possible money from as many marks^H^H^H^H^H worshippers as possible, and goes to extreme lengths to silence its critics.

I don't think this vicious criticism of the Catholic Church is warranted here! Many of those investigated by the Holy Office actually _were_ heretics, and the turning of bread into the holy flesh of Our Lord Jesus Christ has been verified by Vatican scientists. Further, those peasants of Latin America who give their earnings to the Church so that more jewel-encrusted crosses and goblets can be bought do not see themselves as victims of a scam. After all, the Church may get richer in this secular world as they get poorer, but the Church promises them a seat at St. Peter's dinner table in the next life. As to the Church silencing its critics...surely you are not referring to that Jew slander about the Vatican banker found hanging from Black Friar's bridge in London? Or the Protestant myth about Opus Dei and its dispensation of papal justice? The Pope can utter nothing that is false when he speaks ex cathedra. You heathens had better remember this, else you may expect an invitation from the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (which some of you heretics and nonbelievers may know by its old name, the Sacred Congregation of Universal Inquisition). Millions alive today will reveal the truth before they die. --Cardinal Timothy May (Who believes all cults and religions are basically the same shuck and jive, and who thinks the "Church of Scientology" is actually a little bit less foolish that the Church of Mormon, with its "baptism of dead ancestors" into the Church, the funny underwear people have to secretly wear, etc. However, I have great respect for the practical tactics of the Mormons, and no respect for the day to day behavior of the CoS.) Boycott "Big Brother Inside" software! We got computers, we're tapping phone lines, we know that that ain't allowed. ---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---- Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@got.net 408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA | knowledge, reputations, information markets, Licensed Ontologist | black markets, collapse of governments. "National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."