Funny how news articles reminded me of this old story.
Mabel's Bar and Bordello (referred to locally as Mabel's Bed and Breakfast) was one of the busiest establishments in town. So much so that Mabel decided to double the size of her building and hire more, uh, staff.
The church across the street which had endured the embarrassment of having Mabel's as a neighbour was horrified. They called a week of prayer and fasting as construction progressed, asking God to destroy Mabel's den of iniquity.
As events transpired, lightening struck Mabel's, just as the addition was almost complete. Everything burned to the ground. Not even the basement was saved (sorry, no pun intended). No one was injured as the girls and their clients, much to the amusement of some and shame of others were able to escape the flames unharmed.
The church had a Service of Celebration, thanking God for answering their prayers. There was a great deal of rejoicing until Mabel sued the church for damages.
Her argument was that they prayed, God answered, and the church had confirmed it. Therefore the fire was their fault and they should pay. The church's defense was that lightening was a natural occurrence and neither God nor their prayers had anything to do with it.
The judge admitted it was the strangest case he had ever dealt with. Here was a Madame who firmly believed God answered prayer and a church claiming it was all nonsense.
Mabel's Bar and Bordello (referred to locally as Mabel's Bed and Breakfast) was one of the busiest establishments in town. So much so that Mabel decided to double the size of her building and hire more, uh, staff.
The church across the street which had endured the embarrassment of having Mabel's as a neighbour was horrified. They called a week of prayer and fasting as construction progressed, asking God to destroy Mabel's den of iniquity.
As events transpired, lightening struck Mabel's, just as the addition was almost complete. Everything burned to the ground. Not even the basement was saved (sorry, no pun intended). No one was injured as the girls and their clients, much to the amusement of some and shame of others were able to escape the flames unharmed.
The church had a Service of Celebration, thanking God for answering their prayers. There was a great deal of rejoicing until Mabel sued the church for damages.
Her argument was that they prayed, God answered, and the church had confirmed it. Therefore the fire was their fault and they should pay. The church's defense was that lightening was a natural occurrence and neither God nor their prayers had anything to do with it.
The judge admitted it was the strangest case he had ever dealt with. Here was a Madame who firmly believed God answered prayer and a church claiming it was all nonsense.
LOL! What's wrong with this picture...?
ReplyDeleteThe story is likely apocryphal but I would love to know how it ended. My guess is that Mable didn't have a prayer.
Deletethis is almost like scientific theory: adjusting your facts to what you can prove.
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard
Might be some truth to that.
DeleteEvery male identifies with the cat pix in your boarder.
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard
yes, I am sure. We have all been there. The facial expressions on both cats are priceless.
Deleterepublicans would shoot that theory down. gods responsible for everything.
ReplyDeletethen the church better pay up
Delete