Audra, Give Back the Money

But if you're Audra's father, it's time to read this.

Audra, your father described in his sermon today how some people have given tremendous amounts of money, $10,000, $100,000, and more. Did these people have this much money as spare change? Hardly. Probably these "offerings" came from loans, perhaps a mortgage refinancing a home that people never expected to repay.

Or these offerings may have come from people who cashed out their retirement savings because they were misled by your father into believing that they won't need it. People who are going to experience a true Great Tribulation when the IRS comes after them for the remaining taxes on money pulled from 401(k) plans. Not only will these people suffer from reduced circumstances in their old age, they're going to suffer now because the amount withheld from the withdrawal for taxes will only cover a portion of the amount due. Those who make withdrawals last year are about to suffer, and those who did it this year will face the problem next year.

Audra, don't delay the refunds on those who've done this recently. If a 401(k) withdrawal was done recently there may yet be time for these people to put that money into a rollover IRA and defer the tax bill. Make sure they know to check into it or ask a qualified tax adviser. But if it's too late for that at least they'll have the money to pay their taxes.

Audra, cancel the Google Adwords program so that no more money goes to Google making it unavailable for refunds. What does the key word "2012" have to do with the Bible? How about "Nostradamus"? And where in the Bible does the word "rapture" appear? But I have to admit that "Bible code" does have something to do with the Bible, obviously, but what does it have to do with the end time?

Audra, break the pitcher and do the right thing. Will you be able to live with yourself after your involvement in this when it's all over? We can't choose our parents, but we can choose what to do with our lives. Whether your father's a con man or truly deluded, you don't need to be a part of it. People have been damaged, do what you can to minimize it.

Audra, give back the money.