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A Christian group that had a supply of “million-dollar bill” gospel tracts seized by the U.S. Secret Service is seeking relief in federal court Monday.
Brian Fahling, representing the Denton, Texas-based Great News Network, will ask a judge in Dallas to order return of the tracts and prevent the government agency’s local field office from arresting anyone who distributes them.
Fahling, counsel for the American Family Association Center for Law and Policy, told WND he wants the judge to rule whether the Secret Service’s application of the U.S. code is constitutional.
Mark Lowery, special agent in charge of the Dallas district, refused to comment for this article but has said the agency is preparing a cease-and-desist order, arguing the tract violates a federal law that says reproductions of currency cannot be regulation size and cannot be two-sided.
Fahling insists the sections of the U.S. code’s title 18 cited by the government, 475 and 504, don’t apply.
He argues 475 deals only with authorized denominations – there is no $1 million bill – and 504 pertains only to exact copies of currency. The tracts have numerous differences, including a gospel message on the back, he points out.
As WorldNetDaily reported, the controversy began June 2 when three agents visited the Great News Network office and told a staffer to hand over 8,300 tracts.
The tracts are produced by evangelist Ray Comfort, whose Living Waters Ministry in Southern California has been inundated with requests for them since the story broke a week ago.
Fahling said the head of the Los Angeles district of the Secret Service was made aware of the situation but planned to take no action.
Comfort told WND the pursuit of a judge’s decision is necessary to resolve the matter.
“Some Christians think we’ve broken a law,” he said. “Our concern is that Christians know we’re reputable.”
The Dallas Secret Service agents explained to the Great News Network 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.
Rundus told WND he wonders why there have been no arrests in North Carolina, if in fact a crime has been committed.
“I can’t think of a reason a bank teller would turn [the tract] over to the feds,” he said, noting he gives them to bankers all the time, and they usually laugh.
But Rundus says the controversy has “been a good thing for God.
“More people have heard the gospel in the last week through our ministry and Ray’s, and more people are passing out these gospel tracts than ever before,” he said.
“I think it’s a million-dollar miracle.”
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.”
A WND reader has pointed 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.”
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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