Guy in Malawi in court over failed Rapture

[Bella Fortuna]

the very fact he accepted donations, when normally there should have been precisely no point to it, since all people involved with his church should be up there after announced date, proves his bad faith and his fraudulent manoeuvering.

But there's no fraud as such. If he'd been saying "give me your money and get to heaven" that's different. People donated money to spread the message. They knew what they were putting it to.

Religions have been saying that for centuries and there's yet to be wholesale prosecution for fraud. They can say anything they want, because religion is somehow untouchable.

[Ironclad]

I've been on the Moon a while, I haven't kept up with US news of late.. tell me, did Camping take peoples money for his promise of Paradise? Are folk asking for it back, if he did?

[Svartalf]

there are folk who donated all their worldly stuff to him, and who had second thoughts after they were left down here with no means of support as the falsity of the announcement became obvious.

[Thinking Aloud]

I've been on the Moon a while, I haven't kept up with US news of late.. tell me, did Camping take peoples money for his promise of Paradise? Are folk asking for it back, if he did?

He made no promises, as far as I know, just repeated his certainty that the rapture would definitely take place in May (and apparently it actually did, but not in a physical way), and people donated money to help advertise the "fact" and thus save more souls. Those who sold everything and donated the proceeds may be unhappy...

[Pappa]

So, why aren't people suing reverend hatchling or whatever his name is out of shirt and boxer shorts?

There's this pesky "free speech" thing. Reverend Camping didn't force anybody to give away their life savings in preparation for the rapture. That's just what some did after listening to him.

There are limits to free speech. Advocating violence, deliberately inducing panic (shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theater when there is no fire), etc. But Camping did not violate any such laws.

I could write a blog about why Chrysler stock is going to plummet the company into bankruptcy this October. But people should take or ignore my advice to sell their shares at their own risk. My predictions are my own opinions.

What happens if someone doesn't deliberately induce panic, but acts in a way that any reasonable person would suppose would cause panic?

[Ironclad]

I've been on the Moon a while, I haven't kept up with US news of late.. tell me, did Camping take peoples money for his promise of Paradise? Are folk asking for it back, if he did?

He made no promises, as far as I know

The man is a cleric, he is in a position of... meant to be in a position of social responsibility, to his peers and to his flock. It is what he DOES for a living.
He should be sued for a refund 'plus'; litigation bypassing Freedom of Speech in this case, methinks. His authority oversteps the casual, it's just my opinion, chatter to take another level.
Twats though the people were the power men like Camping hold should be.. ah fuck it..

[Thinking Aloud]

Along with all the rest of 'em!