Worse than the well-known Missionary Scam -
 

I don't usually get riled up, but my blood is B O I L I N G :mad::thumbdown!

So what is worse than the well known "I'm a Missionary and I want to GIVE you a Yorkie free of charge, just pay shipping charges of $300.00 scam? A real live honest? to goodness Youth Minister who uses his "work" email complete with church information to inquire about a yorkie pup. It was bad enough that he determined it may be to his advantage to advertise that he was a minister, but what really infuriated me was the following statement taken from the email "What a blessing it would be if it could be freely given, but none the less if there is a cost, I'd like to know it so I can assess if this would be a good investment or not."

Unfortunately it was the real deal - I looked the church up on internet prior to responding - and when I did I copied several of the church officials. I would not have been very offended if it had been some nutcase (had one of them earlier in the week) with a sob story begging for a freebie, but how dare a man who claims to be a "Man of God" using his position to try to gain something for nothing.

I may be over-reacting and if so, then so be it. I take my God and my religion very seriously and it infuriates me to no end for someone to use his poisiton as a Minister as a barganing tool.

--end of vent :D

Since when is a pet an "investment"? I've never checked out a rate of return on any of my furbutts. That statement alone would make me think twice about selling a dog to him, since it seems to speak to the intention of breeding.

Wow, this is bad. I can see why your blood is boiling. I don't think you are over reacting at all. I agree with you. I take God and religion very seriously too. And you are right, people think they can trust them because of their position as a minister. This is really sad. However, the one thing that always gets me through the bad people times is this:

One day he will stand before our God that we take seriously and he WILL answer for everything he has done as we all will.

Our world has turned to bad things and yes religion is given a bad rap. But there are still good people in this world. So you go girl! Let your blood boil and stand up for what you believe. It is ok to vent!

Wow, that is terrible! Investment.... definitely not a word I'd use to describe a member of my family.

I don't know what kind of minister he considers himself, but I hope he seeks help... as it sounds like he needs some redirection in life.

Infuriating, for sure. I am glad you notified the church - too bad you could not directly notify all the members of the congregation so they THEY (the congregation) could determine if the investment they were making in this clown (the Minister) and the church that employs this guy was worthwhile. Sounds like the investment in this minister may be worse than a penny stock gone bad.:thumbdown:

I had a friend who was ripped off by someone claiming to be a minister.
I was raised in church and this makes me very angry that there are people who will do this. I would be afraid to use God's name in vain like that.

I'm glad you told him honestly what you thought and copied some of the other church officials. That was a slimy thing for the minister to do.

That really is infuriating. I sincerely hope he faces some sort of punishment for essentially trying to use his position in the church for his own financial gain.

That really stinks. I can't even believe the nerve of some people!

Thank you
 

Thank you, everyone for being so supportive. I am tempted to visit a new church tomorrow -- however, I don't want to be vindictive. I tried to be very professional in my replies to his emails and I did copy the church officials on all of my communications -- even though he didn't. :D I know that we all must answer for our deeds, and I am not one to judge -- the "Judge not lest ye be judged" scares me to death :) I know that I have enough to answer to without that one.

I can understand your anger...

Once upon a time, on a planet called Earth, men of religion use to be honest, humble, and dedicated to the betterment of society. Those days are long gone.

I personally, am a very spiritual person and was once told that in order to "get to heaven" I would have to restore my faith in God.
I told this "religious" person that I had never lost my faith in God, however, I have lost all faith in humanity. No one is immune to corruption anymore, even those we consider "Holy".

I would definitely notify the church about this behavior.:(

This could not have been said in a better way. I agree with you!

Shameful.

There is a notorious church about a block from my house and I just have a picture in my head of good ole Pastor Robb doing something just like what you are talking about. Slimy~is pretty much the only thought that comes to my mind. :thumbdown

i do not do the whole church god hell and damnation thing but ever i am upset by this :( it seems to me the people we are taught to trust most ( police firemen pastors and doctors ) are turning into the ones we fear most...abuse of position

Just.Wow.

Take religion out of the equation and you still have an egregious breach of ethics. Anybody representing themselves to be a member of an organization that is supposed to be service oriented, whether it be church, police, fire, etc.. is to hold themselves to a higher moral standard. They are not to use their position or organization to advertise a product, to accept any gratuity for rendering services to the public, and most especially to use their position to attempt to gain an unfair advantage in a business dealing of any kind.

I would report him higher than his local church, I would let the branch affiliation of his particular denomination also know. I believe most churches answer to a higher power...other than the Ultimate One....and they have something to do with the decisions made on where youth pastors, pastors, etc.. are placed, they are the ones that need to know that there are issues with this man's morals. If he is this offensive in business dealings, do you want him moralizing, preaching and leading the community youth on any level? It's been my experience that a shortcoming in morals in one area usually means likewise elsewhere. There is a bigger picture here that you have 'stumbled' on.

Oh and btw.... I believe there is something very valid called
""Righteous Anger"" have at it!!!

I wish I could say I'm shocked, but I'm not. Disgusted yes, but not shocked.
I'm so glad that you copied church officials!
It's one thing to be asking for donations for your church and congregation, but to ask for a donated puppy for yourself! :mad:

It is exactly "Christians" like this slimebag that give people of faith growing bad reputations! Some of the most repulsive, hateful , vindictive and nasty people I know "profess" to be Christian, but are so nasty it turns people off!:( I love Christ with my whole heart, but cannot stomach the judgement of these people when in church. Fu Fu Girl--I couldn't have said it better myself. :thumbup:

I dont blaime you for being upset that was a terrible thing for a minister to do but we have to remember hes a sinner just like us. You did the right thing forwarding the emails to the church officials

You know, I want to thank you for your gentle reminder - you are 100% correct. I have always been annoyed by people who use their professional status for personal gain, especially men and women who serve the Lord. I guess I need to rethink how I feel about that, you are all right, we are all sinners.