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Despite WND’s repeated attempts, the Secret Service did not respond to a request for comment on agents’ seizure of a Christian ministry’s gospel tracts designed as “million-dollar bills.”
As WorldNetDaily reported, the controversy began Friday when the agents visited the Great News Network in Denton, Texas, and threatened to arrest staffer Tim Crawford for hiding evidence in a counterfeiting investigation. The agents took 8,300 tracts and left their business cards and a receipt.
The Christian group argues, however, that “million-dollar” bills can’t be counterfeited because they don’t exist, and the tracts – which include a “not legal tender” disclaimer on the front – present the Christian salvation message on the opposite side.
The gospel tracts are produced by evangelist Ray Comfort, who told WND yesterday his Living Waters Ministry in Southern California has no plans to stop selling them.
In fact, he said, since news of the seizure, his office has been inundated with requests – 500,000 were sold yesterday, nearly exhausting the supply.
Comfort told WND if the Secret Service issues a “cease and desist order,” he will comply by creating a new tract, one-and-a-half times the size of a regular bill and emblazoned with “Secret Service Version”
The New Zealand-born evangelist said his ministry – known for its television program, “The Way of the Master,” and an association with actor Kirk Cameron – has sold 5.7 million million-dollar tracts since March 2002.
Agents explained to the Great News Network’s Crawford that someone in North Carolina had attempted to deposit one of the million-dollar bills in a bank account. The address of the Texas group was on the back, and the Secret Service went into action.
 Ray Comfort |
The tract includes this message: “The million dollar question: Will you go to Heaven? Here’s a quick test. Have you ever told a lie, stolen anything, or used God’s name in vain? Jesus said, “Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in his heart.” Have you looked with lust? Will you be guilty on Judgment Day? If you have done those things God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart. The Bible warns that if you are guilty you will end up in Hell. That’s not God’s will. He sent His Son to suffer and die on the cross for you. Jesus took your punishment upon Himself – ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ Then He rose from the dead and defeated death. Please, repent (turn from sin) today and trust in Jesus, and God will grant you everlasting life. Then read your Bible daily and obey it.”
Comfort, represented by the American Family Association Center for Law and Policy, has been advised by his attorneys not to hand over the gospel tracts.
“The thinking is that if agents show a judge a copy of the $1 million tract, he would laugh till he cried and then, after catching his breath, he would thank the agents for a good laugh and then ask them to stop wasting his time,” he explained.
Meanwhile, a WND reader points out retail giant Toys R Us has been selling “million-dollar bills,” printed on both front and back, for years. In fine print on the back, the bill says, “This instrument is NON negotiable.”
A company called Learning Resources sells “pretend currency” in ones, fives, tens, twenties, fifties and hundreds.
 “100 Mixed Bills Play Money,” by World Class Learning Materials |
World Class Learning Materials sells a set of 100 bills of different denominations it calls “play money”
A website called Prank Place says its currency for sale “looks and feels real. Great conversation tool. Our funny money and fake million dollar bills look just like real U.S. Currency. These are very high quality, designed by an incredibly talented artist. Our fake money make great gifts, additions to greeting cards, or even sales promotions and sales tools.”
“How to Bring Your Children to Christ” by Ray Comfort
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