Posted on 09/11/2011 4:17:02 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
(CNN) -- A church called the Phoenix Goddess Temple has been accused of being a house of prostitution, and a six-month undercover investigation has resulted in the arrests of 20 women and men who worked there, Phoenix police said Friday.
Authorities are still searching for 17 more people -- all of whom have been indicted -- in connection with the prostitution enterprise, said Sgt. Steve Martos, a Phoenix police spokesman. The 20 people arrested so far have been charged with prostitution or other offenses, police said.
During a Wednesday search of the Phoenix temple and two church-related sites in nearby Sedona, police seized evidence showing that "male and female 'practitioners' working at the Temple were performing sexual acts in exchange for monetary 'donations,' all on the pretense of providing 'neo tantric' healing therapies," Phoenix police said.
The alleged brothel generated tens of thousands of dollars a month, Martos told CNN.
A history of neighbor complaints, a recent Phoenix newspaper article, and the temple's website were among the factors prompting authorities to conduct the undercover investigation, Martos said.
"What's unusual is that they were trying to hide behind religion or church, and under the guise of religious freedom, they were committing acts of prostitution," Martos said.
"We certainly respect First Amendment rights. However, religious freedom does not allow for criminal acts," Martos said.
Regarding the Goddess Temple's website, he said: "What they would talk about would seem to be religion. At the same time, they were implying or intimating that they were giving sex therapy."
The website says at one point: "Sex is a holy, sacred and divine healing force at the core (of) our beings. Once we embrace this force instead of deny it, we become successful, happy and powerful manifestors."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Letters are kinda odd/blurry, I would say yes
Temple prostitution was common in ancient times. It’s possible than even the Hebrews practiced it.
(Well, it might have...)
I hope it was
So which Police Officers were assigned a 6 MONTH “Undercover” investigation of a cathouse. I guess anyone can turn a one-night piece of “work” into a six month affair.
Tens of thousands a month for the church and a huge number of happy parishoners? What could possibly go wrong?
Defective condom?
Okay, I concede that’s one thing...
Then there’s that pesky sting operation being run by the local constabulary.
Every rose has its thorns.
See you tomorrow, friend.
Well, as you said, “Every rose has its thorns.” ;-)
That's wackbirds. His name was Valentine Michael Smith.
Acckk. You’re right.
Probably confused by his being called Mike through the whole thing.
Why is it I have a mental picture of a chubby guy standing at the door asking “how much of a donation do I need to make to release my second chakra?
You just saw a sex-crazed poodle?
There was this dude called Gilgamesh who thought the original wasn't so hot. Something about being hunted by the Bull of Heaven and losing his friend and stuff.
There’s a “blowing the shofar” joke in there somewhere.
Some people are never satisfied. Just because they’re 2/3rds god, have a rich kingdom, and gods on their side, they still want to be immortal. There is no pleasing them.
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