eBay Sacrilege Update

This is a limited-time only post that I’ll take down soon since I don’t want to give malefactors ideas, but . . .

Several folks have e-mailed stories noting that the gentleman responsible for the recent sacrilege on eBay had a change of heart and the matter has been resolved more satisfactorily than was previously the case.

Unfortunately, eBay itself has not yet had a change of heart regarding allowing such matters.

GET THE STORY (W/CONTACT INFO FOR EBAY).

Author: Jimmy Akin

Jimmy was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith, and in 1992 he entered the Catholic Church. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is the Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to Catholic Answers Magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live."

16 thoughts on “eBay Sacrilege Update”

  1. We need a bishop (or a new Pope!) to write them a letter and threaten to forbid Catholics from using eBay if they don’t change their policies.

  2. Why rush to take down this post, Jimmy? Everybody and his brother knows of the attempted sale of the Eucharist on eBay, so you provide no news to potential wrong-doers. But not everybody knows of the withdrawal of the sale, so by posting you help reinforce the reaction against this kind of stunt. Or do I miss something here (not unthinkable.)

  3. ‘Nuther thought: just exactly do we want eBay to do here, and would such a demand really be do-able on their part, and licit for us to request on ours? eBay’s role was one of cooperation in evil, no?, and the rules there are not as cut-and-dried as some folks seem to think. At least, no one seems to be suggesting this aspect.

  4. The problem is that eBay gets a cut of every successful auction. Thus, had this person not had his conscience pricked and pulled the Eucharist off the auction block, eBay could have profited from it. That’s more than simple cooperation, IMO.

  5. just exactly do we want eBay to do here
    Slay the heretics and evildoers and bow down before our mighty God in worship!
    and would such a demand really be…licit for us to request on ours?
    Details, details…

  7. Thank you. I am aware that eBay makes money when people sell things on their site. But profit is surely not the dispositive factor here. One might cooperate in evil without making money thereby, yet still sin; and one might cooperate in evil to one’s financial benefit but with no sin (know any Catholics who earn paychecks working at drug stores that sell contraceptives?) It is not as simple as some folks seem to want to think.

  8. Theologically speaking, it might be argued that what was involved was a sale of stolen (in that it was acquired under false pretences) property. Perhaps if it were presented to e-bay in that fashion it might sink in?

  9. Well, with the veil of silence temporarily lifted, I will say that it seems to me that the posting violated the rules they already have in place. From their site:
    “Food
    The following list contains general guidelines for listing food items on eBay.
    Federal and State Regulations:
    The sale of food is regulated by the federal government and most state governments, and users that list food and food-related products should familiarize themselves with these laws before listing such items on eBay.
    For example, there are federal and state laws that require labels to state, among other things, the food’s ingredients, nutrition information, and place of manufacture. Virtually all states require food manufacturers and sellers to register with or obtain a license from the state. There are also restrictions on the import and export of many food products…
    Perishable Items:
    Sellers that list perishable items should clearly identify in the item description the steps that they will take to ensure that the goods are delivered to the buyer safely. For example, sellers of perishable goods should offer overnight delivery and ensure that the goods are properly packaged.
    Sealed Containers:
    All food and related products sold on eBay should be packaged or sealed to ensure that the buyer can identify evidence of possible tampering.
    Expiration Dates:
    All items must be delivered to buyers prior to a clearly marked expiration or “use by” date.”
    I doubt you could sell a single loose cracker if you wanted to, and although it is so much more to us (and in reality), to an impartial materialist, it would be a food item.

  10. Guys, seriously, this is not remotely a case of “theft” or even “embezzlement” and as for “food” where were folks when the grilled cheese sandwich was sold?

  11. “As I said earlier this week, the Eucharist represents the true presence of Jesus Christ to Catholics,” said Msgr. Augustine.
    Is it just me or is this wording a little ambiguous?
    Personally, I’d refuse to use eBay until it changed its policy to deny the sale. Unfortunately, I’ve never used eBay, so the loss of my possible future business means very little to them.

  12. Forgive the long post above. I’d forgotten about the grilled cheese… Type in “potato chip” in the “Everything Else” category at eBay, and you will find a variety of single loose chips with religious images (and more) on them to go with the grilled cheese… eBay obviously enforces their rules loosely at times.
    However, based on their own stated policy, the legality of an item is not the only test as to whether or not they will allow it. They also disallow items they find to be offensive. The people who make the judgement on individual items at their organization just don’t seem to think this item met the level of offensiveness to where they would have pulled it. If they recieve enough negative feedback, they might reevaluate the situation.

  13. Ebay prohibits the selling of human organs and flesh. That ought to cover the consecrated Host.

  14. Looks like there’s another one up on eBay.
    Apparently everybody and their mother managed to grab one while touring through Rome on vacation.
    Maybe it’s time to ban communion in the hand again? Mother Teresa is shaking her head and giving us a big giant “I told you so” from up above.

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