A California man is alleging negligence, civil conspiracy, and infliction of emotional distress after he paid $1,000 for a psychic to save his marriage – and it fell apart anyway. He’s seeking $25,000 in damages.
It’s an interesting question. You can sue a business for failure to provide a service you paid for. Does that extend into the world of the supernatural?
What the Hex?!
Mauro Restropo is seeking damages against psychic Sophia Adams after she allegedly failed to properly exorcise a curse put on him by his ex-girlfriend. He says the psychic promised to save his marriage, but failed to deliver.
Restropo apparently visited the psychic last month, who advertised herself as a “psychic love coach” online. The lawsuit alleges that “this made plaintiff more confident that he was speaking with a professional that could help him.”
Following a $1,000 deposit, Adams read Restropo’s fortune via tarot, alerting him that he had “mala suerte” – bad luck. She made an alarming revelation, stating that Restropo’s ex-girlfriend had hired a witch to hex the man, putting him, and his love life, in danger. Adams offered to remove the curse for the low fee of $5,100.
But according to Restropo, the curse wasn’t removed, and he endured “sleepless nights, anxiety and anguish” as a result. Now he’s suing Adams (as well as her family and landlords), arguing that she failed to deliver what he paid for.
Can You Sue a Psychic?
Psychic readings are a multi-million dollar industry in the United States. According to Pew, about 1 in 7 Americans consult a psychic each year - and that number increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yet outside of some cities and counties require psychics to obtain an occupational license, or at least undergo a background check before they can legally break out the crystal ball, the industry is largely unregulated, for obvious reasons. How do you regulate an industry that claims it is beyond scientific understanding?
Winning a lawsuit against a psychic is also a longshot, to say the least. Several decades ago, California’s Supreme Court removed a ban on fortune-telling, arguing it was a violation of freedom of speech. They argued that psychics can charge for advice the same way that other professions can. Even if that advice has a supernatural twist.
What do you think? Should you be able to pursue legal action against psychics whose predictions fail to come true?
Or is the responsibility on those seeking psychic services to know that they’re dabbling with forces beyond scientific understanding?
76 comments
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Angel
YES! You can sue psychic's like these for fraud. This is a common scam and many states are cracking down on this type of fraud..He will win hand down...
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Angels seem much more fraudulent to me.
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Kathryn M Boyer
I saw what you did there & I like it!
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Douglas Robert Spindler
And religion isn't? Just look at the lies the televangelist preachers preach.... Or for that matter the lies the any preacher preaches.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
In referring to all preachers Douglas, are you including all ministers, even such as yourself?
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John P Maher
ANGEL, YOUR an ANGEL ?
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Daniel Gray
No you CANT sue a psychic and there is NO judge or jury in the US that would accept this as a case, let alone rule on it. They would be laughed off the bench and out of the court room.
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Brien
Can someone please play the Twilight Zone theme? If ever there was an appropriate time...🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I'd rather here that Twilight Zone pop song they came up with, in the eighties.
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Brien
Lol, I kind of like the original theme. The eighties were kind of a blur for me.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Brien, I joined A.A. in October of 1983. Before then I could relate wholeheartedly to that blur. Then 1988 became blurry again for three months, until that bad motorcycle accident for which I'm still on Disability, and always will be. And on the day of that wreçk, I clearly remember that my horoscope saying I was going to have a nice day. Since I spent most of it in a coma I really couldn't say how accurate that prediction was.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
Why did the psychic accept the guy as a customer if she knew he was going to sue him? Guess she didn’t see that one coming.
I have found prayers are about as successful as psychics.
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John P Maher
MAYBE EVEN LESS, A PSYCHIC @ LEAST is A LIVE PERSON, NO ?
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Lionheart
One would first have to prove what a witches curse is, and secondly that they are real by performing demonstrable evidence to prove they are. As no one that I’m aware of has ever done that, much like no one has ever proved any god is real, or that prayer works, the man is going to lose his case.
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arawngraalrd
Promises were made, for Money, but not fulfilled; Complaint is possible.
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CB Cuff
So should he hire a lawyer, or another psychic and save a bunch of money? Who might have the better story line I wonder?
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I've never heàrd of a Witch who wanted to prove it to anyone, or a psychic who cared if anyone believed in their abilities. And Nicholas, maybe there never was a Witch who wanted to heal you. It may be the reason you never met one is that they seek to avoid you, like maybe you don't have good vibes.
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John P Maher
THE MAN SHOULD SUE HIS PARENTs FOR RAISING HIM SO, SO STUPID as TO LISTEN to ANY B S, and THAT includes RELIGION !
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
If anyone sued their parents John, I bet they'd be excluded from their parents Will. That is, if they lost the case, and didn't get their parents money in advance. It might be better to stay on good terms with our parents, and patiently wait.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
Point of information. There’s o such person who’s a psychic; there are only people who call themselves psychics.
The late “Amazing Randy” ( for the last 30 years of his life) offered to pay anyone, who could demonstrate their psychic abilities — $1,000,000 — if they could prove their psychic abilities — and no one could.
It’s only those who have the mental capabilities to accept psychic-type stuff (such as religion) who got the anti-Christ Trump elected —
because Trump, as an authoritarian opponent of democracy, reminded them of the Christian Communistic socialistic hereafter, in which there are no heavenly rights — and no one has to work in order to be fed, houses, or whatever,-
Gwendolyn Lord
Dude, really? Totally incomprehensible.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Gwendolyn, I've heard there's one born every minute. And he's not nearly as bad as it gets. Stick around, if you aren't totally outraged yet, by the redundency of fools on this blog. It's best not to take it too seriously, but with a grain of salt, and just let it go. Also, we don't have to read all the comments on this blog. It might help preserve our sanity to be selective. I've been writing on this blog for a few years, so I like to offer food for thought occasionally to good people who I hope will also last a long time around here.
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Daniel Gray
Sorry but Matt Blaze identified a mystery object that Randy had placed in a box, then listed a series of numbers publicly so that it could be proven later he hadn't changed the contents. These numbers turned out to be an ISBN number and page word number listing the object in a dictionary. He did in fact accept Randy's challenge and defeated Randy, and Randy being the coward and liar and snake he was, refused to pay the 1 million dollars. So you cant say that no one ever defeated him as it DID happen. Try again but this time use facts, not opinions
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Edwin Merle Waltz
Good lord says stay from psycics
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Douglas Robert Spindler
Good psycics says stay from lords
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John P Maher
DID YOU WALTZ get that CALL from GODs TREE PHONE ???
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Kathryn M Boyer
The best Lord says wisdom comes from EVERYWHERE...
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Rev Mark D
In her defense the psychic DID say he has a bad luck condition...could that conceivably include his choice in psychics?
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Angel
This is a common scam, change a rediculious amount for a reading then claim there is a curse and charge them an ever bigger rediculious amount to have it removed. Many states have now deemed this as frauduelent behavior. Hewill most likely win this case. I'm surprised people still fall for this...
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Nicholas J Page
Well do Hex's work no they don't can witches put a curse on you Of course not It's impossible to put curses on anyone and I don't believe In Witches.I have never in my 63 years on this planet has ever met one or knew of any.If they existed I would have used one to remove my brain tumor and the headaches I had every day for 4 and a half years Now I'm left with acquired brain injury and short term memory loss as well as being terminally ill with Cerebellar ataxia.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
You sound a lot like my biological father, Nicholas. He was also diagnosed with mental illness, while fighting in Vietnam, as a sniper scout in Recon, which is why I never believed anything he ever said, iether. And I've never eaten anything that came out of a schizophrenic kitchen, iether!
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Kathryn M Boyer
Dude... You spelled either wrong. Twice...
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flugo
'kambo': You faulted 'seabee' for his spelling. What about your grammar?
Your comment should have read: Dude, you spelled 'either' wrong. Twice or Dude, you twice spelled 'either' wrong. or Better yet: Dude, you twice misspelled 'either'.
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Kathryn M Boyer
Good call! I did do that, lol!
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Kathryn M Boyer
You are clearly not looking for miracles... You seem to be looking for a fight? Do you want to be the target of anger so badly?
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Woodrow
Oh well!
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Daniel Gray
First if you believe witches can curse you, you are mental. The first rule of witchcraft is that what you send out comes back at you X3. So if you send out a curse you are going to get it back 3 times worse. Secondly if this supposed "psychic" was in fact real, then they would have known what this person wanted when they walked in the door and could have saved him the time and effort after they told him they couldnt help him.
I want to be a fly on the wall when the judge gets this case, he will throw it out with prejudice laughing all the way.
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Kathryn M Boyer
Sadly, I fear, they may throw it out thinking that he was foolish to go outside of 'mainstream' help... But if he were to actual try the case - it would be interesting to witness...
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Daniel Gray
Nope I can tell you how it will go.
Man comes before the judge and asks for a decision
Judge reads the case and states "Are you freaking nuts or just crazy to try this stupidity with me. Case and charge dismissed with prejudice. Which means you can never try and file this kind of crap ever again. Now get out of my court room before I send you in for a psych exam."
Sort of sums it up.
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Kathryn M Boyer
LOL!
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Jennifer L Johnson
That's mostly a Wiccan belief. Very possibly others as well. The 3x back at you thinking that is.
Not all Witches believe that malarkey.
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Ealdormon Piparskeggr Robinson
If I need a psychic, they'll call me...doubt that will happen.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
If you ever need a psychic Eldormon you better hope one wants to call you.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Us Witches of Wicca are good people, and don't dabble in black magic, or put unwarranted curses on anyone. However, there is such a thing as protection magick, and it is only good to protect ourselves and those who we feel called to, from those and that which would cause harm. We aren't the fools who turn the other cheek.
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Brian E Roth
But can protection magik protect you from the idiocy of the masses?
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Kathryn M Boyer
Carl, I gotta tell you - and I am a Pagan HPS - we (as pagans) got our own idiots... I threw a man out of my house for saying very hateful things based on race. He identified as a Wiccan EP - but he was one of the most judgmental, hateful and hypocritical individuals I ever met. And what hurt most is he was claiming to be 'like-minded'. I know it sounds weird, but it was very disheartening for me...
Reading this comment, brought him to mind... I respect standing up for people who you feel that kindred as I do, but idiots are everywhere making everybody look stupid. Isn't it part of the growth of humanity? Maybe I am wrong...
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Richard A Ward
Defense: I removed the curse, but his own failings led to his divorce and unrest. I can’t change the person, just remove the ( imaginary ) external influence. Can his lawyer prove the curse is still in effect? Burden of proof on gentleman suing.
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John P Maher
Spanish Inquisition, Boston Witch burning, suing witches, JUST A LOT of BULLWITCH !
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Amber Fry
LOL Well... the fact that the "psychic" asked for so much should have been a clear indicator she wasn't entirely on the up and up. I have nothing against charging for a person's time but someone in her position should be telling him to put his head on straight and work with his wife if he wants to save his marriage. No amount of whatever she claimed to do would help if it was doomed to begin with. Aid if both parties are still willing, but not completely fix the problems that got the couple in such a mess in the first place.
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Amber Fry
To add... if he was honestly serious about fixing his marriage he would have been better off putting the money into couple's counseling.
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Roger W Lowe
It seems you would need to have the nature of the "request" in writing -- just like any other warranty. The article says nothing about the agreement and "terms of sale."
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Anisahoni
There's a gullible person born every day. A psychic to fix his marriage? Why not Marital Counseling from a licensed practitioner which is under the state regulations/laws? He paid a "psychic" over $6k? Probably some storefront Gypsy, which hawked fake curses and "cures." Have met many types claiming to have psychic powers from palm readers, channelers, chakra balancers. They are well trained to "read you" by what you wear, jewelry, hairstyles, how you speak, and how easily you are manipulated.. All frauds.
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Kathryn M Boyer
From one Kathryn to another, roll back on your hate. I can smell all that anger you have balled up - that's gotta hurt... I am so sorry for you.
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Anisahoni
Seek consultation with an ear and nose specialist. Your sense of smell is faulty. What you perceive as hate is a warning to those who are gullible. So there.
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Anisahoni
How silly and arrogant. You are wrong my dear. When a person speaks up about professional experiences with frauds who take advantage of others, it is you projecting your own hate. perceptions. Perhaps you are one of those frauds.
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Kathryn M Boyer
Clearly my nose is correct... I do not charge anyone for any readings or any other assistance I offer. I choose to give when need arises. No fraud here, but that proves my point to me. Instead of thinking about what you wrote & why I interpreted it the way I did, you set out to try and belittle me? Ok, whatever...
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Joseph Walter Kasper
In this particular Universe, you get what you believe. This guy believed in this (so called) curse more than he believed in his marriage. Psychic and $$$ not withstanding.
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Clyde Lawrence Wilson
Can you people quit posting crap about psychics and evil and the devil, etc? I swear to zeus, that's enough to drive a thinking person up the wall and you profess to be the online religion of thinking people. Apparently, you're not. I first signed up to this church in 1970, but you didn't keep records so when I tried to get my records, a few years ago, you said that there were no records. Careless and sloppy and your encouragement of this BS about evil and devils and psychics it's just more proof of that.
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Brien
One make believe myth is the same as any other so I guess they all deserve some representation, Zeus is by no means any more real than the devil. Peace
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Lionheart
What does swearing to a mythical god really mean Clyde? I’m just wondering if it’s any different to those that swear to a Christian mythical god, or a middle Easter mythical god. What logic and reason did you use in choosing yours over someone else’s?
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Our myths are only real to those of us who believe in them. It helps to be imaginative. To those of us who believe, imagination is a real, tangible substance from which we work, and create magick. However, it takes one to know one, and if you aren't one you will never be one. And if you are one of us, regardless of your outward pretense, you know.
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Lionheart
I always loved the Harry Potter stories Carl. There was always something so wonderful for children to wrap their incredible imaginary minds around. Plus, the stories were not as blood-thirsty and gruesome as hanging and effigy of a man horifically nailed to a wooden beam around ones neck.....and even sometime kiss it.....yukkk 🤮. Who on earth would want to do that.....but people do.
Thank goodness the Jesus tale didn't have him being stoned to death, or people today would be hanging rocks around their neck and instead of crossing themselves when they walked into church they would possibly mimic throwing a stone......or even worse they'd have a gun or a bullet around their neck if he'd been shot.🤷🏻♂️
A Harry Potter wand sounds much better.....right?🤗
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Joseph Walter Kasper
Well, Clyde. The first name of this "Church" is Universal. That means to me, a Universal acceptance across the full spectrum of belief. Some of the stuff I see posted does not fit in my Universal Model, but I do not and may not deny the right of others to believe their stuff. Personally, I "believe" in everything, because it all is. I have a friend who believes in demons but not in fairies. How screwed up is that?
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P. Keith Benefiel
I'll save your marriage for half price!
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Wellness Mediums
Should you be able to pursue legal action against psychics whose predictions fail to come true?
No. California Supreme Court says psychics can charge for their services. Also, in America, the Capitalist motto is "Let the Buyer Beware."
Personally, I would never attempt to make a prediction, but even those who come to us for healing are not promised absolutely successful results, despite the fact that spontaneous healing happens frequently during our psychic healing sessions. But we would never predict. Just the idea of people asking for predictions makes me uncomfortable and speaks to possible mental illness on the part of the customer. The answers are out there, and some people have a better channel or ability to tune in on behalf of others. We can see what Is, what factors are influencing a person's health and wellbeing. Prediction isn't reasonable because the person in question can change the status of a situation at any moment by making a decision or making a statement or taking certain actions. This person is clearly not willing to accept responsibility for his own actions related to the failure of his marriage.
Or is the responsibility on those seeking psychic services to know that they’re dabbling with forces beyond scientific understanding?
That is kind of a redundant statement. What else could "psychic services" be, if not inquiring to "forces beyond scientific understanding"? Prayer might be put in the same category. Do people make donations to churches, or to wailing women or others who claim to help spirits cross over? Yes, sometimes in the thousands or tens of thousands. This speaks more to the personal beliefs of the customer than it does the provider.
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Candice Beairs'Hodge
Look if you change a free for it and make a guaranteed the stuff is going to happen can you give me soon if it does that's how I feel now if they say something specific is happening because they say it you definitely consume.
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Frances Jay
Bottom line. If this psychic has any advertisements whatsoever online,via website, email, social media, or any other online activity, where he, or she, " GUARANTEES, or, PROMISES" to perform, or render services, to completion of obtaining specified results, or, specific or agreed upon services, or just general services described in said psychic's advertisements of services offered, and if advertiser fails to deliver said service, general, or specified, you can brand it as False Advertising , fortunately for you, False Advertising is still very illegal throughout most of the United States. In fact it infringes on our Civil Rights. Simply put , this lawsuit is viable and can extradite more money into your bank account then what you originally extradited from it to pay this psychic. read this article below. https://california.public.law/codes/ca_bus_and_prof_code_section_17500
and i wish you THE BEST OF LUCK
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Daniel Gray
I was told by someone that not all witches or pagans follow the rule of 3, oh really? The Only ones I can find that do not follow the rule of three are the black witches. heck even hard core satanists follow the rule of three and this comes from Crowley and Levey and the Santanic Bible as well as all books on paganism and witchcraft.
So the only way for someone who claims that the rule of three does not exist is one who refuses to follow the teachings of their religion. And why claim to be part of that religion if you refuse to follow its teachings?
Could you sue a lawyer that lost your case? A doctor that didn’t cue your cancer? A financial advisor that lost your money? A minister that promised you joy, peace and wealth and none came to you? You can sue over anything in the USA, but the chances of winning are about the same as suing a psychic- near zero.
You are 100% correct. Some say they only ask certain questions. Go to God if you want to know something you are asking, Right?? Rest and learn His voice. He will tell you what he wants to tell you, not what you want Him to tell you, Right? Rest and listen carefully. He will give you guidance. Put your faith in God, not a psychic. I will pray for all that go to a psychic instead of going to God through Jesus our savior.
You agree Mr. Waltz?
God Bless, Rev. Elizabeth S. Arsenault
It would be great if there was such thing as one God I am a pagan ordained minister I believe in all the gods and the goddesses Julius Caesar is the one that created the one God thing so when people get a reality check or do their history they will figure that out for their selves there is not just one God that is going to help you
Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was not God? It would sure solve a lot of problems.
Sorry Cindy, but your knowledge of history is about as good as your post. Not at all. The person who started the one god religion was started in the 14th century B.C., the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten established a cult devoted only to the sun god. Seems to be a whole lot earlier then Cesar. meaning that since you were wrong about your one god post, then we really must question everything you say as this is a simple thing to have found out with a google search, something that you refused to do. So why should anyone believe what you say now since you were so very wrong about everything in your post.Oh and for a quick History lesson , the time difference between Akhenaten and Cesar was about 13 centuries. You failed the course
As a Christian who converted to Paganism - I don't understand your answer here. This is (I think?) supposed to be a site that services all religions. Elizabeth, your comment is a bit more narrow than I expected to find on this site??? As for the original topic...
Unfortunately there are people - INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE - that will try to take advantage of those existing in a type of 'desperation'. Do I think that a charlatan (of ANY religion) should be subjected to a punitive system so people of ALL faiths can have more confidence in, and respect for, each other? OF COURSE I DO!!! We all should, shouldn't we? As leaders in our respective communities (whether big or small), isn't our job to encourage love and respect to any person we come across... and not judge... without evidence? As for Mr. Restropo's predicament? Not enough facts here to determine whether a case is warranted for me? But in the real world - we are battered with so much commercial influence - many people think (sadly) that money can fix a problem like a broken heart??? I see it is possible that this is a way for Mr. Restropo to hang on in an unhealthy way. So I am gonna light a candle for him and ask Universe to send him light and love...
Hello Katherine; in your opinion I am narrow minded when it comes to religion. I was raised as a church going child ever since I was born. I was brought to many different denominations and faiths. My mother wanted me to know I can go anywhere and believe in what I want. At the age of 4 I knew what I was meant to do pertaining to my faith in my God, the God in the Holy Bible, the Christian Bible. At age 4 I knew I was to wait for God and I told my mother so. She did not hold me back and she continued to show me all the different ways people worship their God. My calling has always been to the Christian God, only one God, our creator. I guess I’m narrow minded when it. Ones to what God has ordained on me at the age of 4 years. But my knowledge and inquiries has not changed. I honor everyone’s faith that is not of my own. I do not judge but I do teach my God. Your judgment on me is of a small list made. If you knew me you would see someone who will Rev I expect your faith and I will share mine. I’m beyond narrow minded. It is my belief, what my God has taught me like your faith is to you. I won’t call you liberal, I will call you the person of many faiths, a heart wide open. At the end of time, when our Savior, Jesus, returns to earth, we will know if we have been wrong or right. I pray to go in the rapture if I have not left the earth yet. My belief. I would rather believe and learn what I can and be redeemed for my sons then not believe in all and live in damnation. Again, my belief. God Bless. Elizabeth
I NEVER said YOU were "Narrow Minded", I simply said that the response you gave was more narrow than I expected to find here. Perhaps instead of looking for an argument - look for a discussion. It seems (and I could be wrong - wouldn't be the first time) like you have decided I was attacking your faith. That was not my intention, my intention was to point out that SOME people will do whatever they can to take advantage of others & that the action is NOT limited to any particular faith (or lack there of). But if you feel like I put your faith on trial - I am not sure where you got that??? But ok, if being that way makes you feel good about yourself, go on and do that.