“Whew, let me think it over. It’s like you said, they are smart. Evidently, the woman in Walmart hasn’t said anything too them, because if she had I would imagine they would have marked you off their list.”
“Can’t you do something about it?”
“About what?”
“Isn’t that extortion? If I don’t pay them the thousand dollars they’ll take away the cure.”
“Are you trying to be funny? If you are, you’re not.”
Bill gave Frank a questioning look.
“I can’t believe this. First, there was no cure. There was nothing wrong with you. Second, who are we going to indict, Jesus? Not challenging your resurrection thing, but I seriously doubt he would show up in court.”
“Then there’s nothing. . .”
“Nothing. Just wait and see if they call back. Calling for donations is not a crime. Saying the ‘cure’ would go away if you don’t shell out some money is no different than letting people believe if they don’t tithe they’re going to hell.”
“I don’t believe in tithing.”
“Neither do I and neither does the most of the world but those ignorant bastards we saw in that arena do. They’re being played, but Billy Taylor didn’t start it, Saint Peter did.”
“You’re right.”
“I know I am. Just wait and see if anything else happens. If it doesn’t, we tried.”
Frank could see the disappointment in Father Bill’s face. “I know you want to take it further, Bill, but if they’re not breaking any laws. . .”
“What about decency? Aren’t there any laws about decency? Do you know how stupid these people male all of Christianity look?”
“Bill, I don’t believe everyone looks at those people as bad, a little on the nut side maybe, but not necessarily bad.”
“I’m not criticizing that religion but those are some sad people, anyone who would believe that crap.”
“Yes you are criticizing that religion. That’s exactly what you’re doing. And I believe you need to remember that the vast majority of the world believe that you are stupid for believing some Jewish fisherman came back to life two thousand years ago.”
“Yes, you are right, but you also know what I mean.”
“Yea, Bill, I know exactly what you mean, but you also need to realize that is a public relations problem, not a legal problem. There’s no law against pumping people up and making them feel good to get their money. It’s done at every rock concert, the only difference is the rock concert collects the money at the front gate. The charismatic preacher passes the bucket, same difference. The man may be a joke, he may be every kind of fraud you think he is, but he hasn’t broken the law. Or, at least any law I know of. I’m sorry.”
Bill nodded. He knew Frank was sorry but there was nothing he could do.
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