Religion: Ordained Duck

Aware that their city breeds odd cults, even Los Angeles' orthodox ministers were goggle-eyed last week as they pondered the magnitude of a religious racket which had been uncovered for them. Citizens were being swindled out of at least $1,500,000 a year by "ministers" who had obtained their credentials by mail. Apparently anyone could purchase documents which, so far as the letter of the law was concerned, empowered him to set up a church, perform marriages, officiate at funerals, collect fees from his followers.

To investigate this practice, the Ministerial Association of Los Angeles, representing 400 pastors and 485,000 church members,...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!