ngels for a Price

aron Von Lodge was the head of a small country known as Lilliland near Switzerland. The time was the early 1900s.

Religious freedom was an important part of life in Lilliland. Some religious groups came to Lilliland and some left due to a lack of interest among the people.

The Baron seemed pleased that one religious group came to Lilliland and purchased a building that had been an old church. The group talked of love and respect for all things. The religious leader became very popular and was beginning to amass a large following. At first, offerings were optional, but later the offerings were required and it was strongly suggested that they be a small fixed rate. Later, if you missed a weekly church service, the next time you attended the offering would have to include the amount that should have been given during the service you were not there. Still the offerings did not seem like a lot of money.

The Baron did discuss the church’s policies with Professor Hamblin, the Baron’s chief advisor. Professor Hamblin said that he would keep a distant eye on the church’s activities. Several months went by and the Professor said that there seemed to be no problems with the church’s relationship with the citizens of Lilliland. The Baron felt relieved.

But two weeks later a new church policy was offered. For a large contribution the church would sell you an angel. This would be your private angel that would give you good advice and take good care of you. This angel would also guarantee your place in the hereafter.

The Professor reported this to the Baron. The Baron asked what the cost of purchasing the angel would be. The Professor said that it was equal to one half a year’s wages for the average Lilliland citizen.

The Baron said that these people are really not religious leaders and they were acting just like money grabbing crooks. The leader was asked to meet with the Professor and the Baron to discuss the matter. They were told by the Baron to stop selling angels or leave Lilliland.

The leaders who had been selling angels said they would stop immediately and refund all the money to the people who had bought angels. Two weeks later they sold their building and moved away from Lilliland.

The Baron felt that they were more interested in helping themselves to the people’s money than helping the people themselves.