OUTRAGE! CALL E-BAY-- heres the number

  • Thread starter Thread starter UKcatholicGuy
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UKcatholicGuy:
So, below I have ACTUAL PHONE NUMBERS WITH REAL PEOPLE!!! you can use to call e-bay and express your outrage:

1-800-322-9266
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I called the number and was told to send an e-mail to suggest@ebay.com

I will do this. Hopefully, if enough of us complain about this, we will see this outrage cease.

Please try to be as charitable as possible. Charity wins over hearts.

Thank you.
 
I sent another email to ebay regarding this auction, stressing the FRAUD and THEFT angle to this whole thing. Obviously the fact that it’s a HOLY and CATHOLIC item means nothing to them. But hopefully they will plug the theft loop hole and put the Eucharist on the prohibited list.

Here’s what I sent:

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl…item=6169851381
****This auction should have been stopped prior to a buy it now sale. Ebay can STILL negate the auction results and rethink the policies of selling this item. ****
Non Catholics cannot receive communion****, and even Catholics are not even allowed to take the Eucharist out of the place of the mass. It must be consumed right there and then. To take it, under false pretenses is FRAUD**, and to take it off the premises is THEFT. To sell it on eBay for $2000 is outrageous. I understand that eBay really doesn’t care too much if they offend Catholics and sell a Consecrated Host (which is the body blood soul and divinity of Jesus). However, I’m sure eBay doesn’t want to be a party to Fraud and Theft, and from your policies I see that selling stolen goods IS PROHIBITED. Why on earth would plain old bread be worth $2000? Well because it’s NOT plain old bread. I understand the buyer is a Catholic who purchased it so that it wouldn’t get into the wrong hands.**
This ransom, or extortion is going to continue if Ebay does not stop this kind of act. Plain hosts which have not been consecrated are sold in Catholic book stores across the country, you are going to see rampant abuse by money hungry people ‘claiming’ these are consecrated, and Catholics across the country buying them, simply to save them and take them to a priest for proper reverence. There is NO WAY to prove that a host has been consecrated. FRAUD is assured with this item. Theft is assured if they truly have been consecrated.
****Please PLEASE rethink your stance and remove any listing with a Eucharist. And place this item on your prohibited items list. Any consecrated Eucharist would have to be STOLEN. The Eucharists that are consecrated during mass and not used are LOCKED in a tabernacle so they can not be stolen. ****
****Ebay should NOT be a part of this.
 
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Stylteralmaldo:
I called the number and was told to send an e-mail to suggest@ebay.com
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Here’s the response I got using this e-mail:

**Thank you very much for sharing your suggestions with us. The **

**communication we receive from our community members is critical and, **

**although we are not able to personally respond to your message, we **

appreciate the time you took to write us.

**Our product development team is working to read, discuss, and process **

**the (name removed by moderator)ut that we get from our members. We are currently going through **

**many changes as we learn more about the emerging phenomenon known as **

**eBay, and we are engaging in projects to improve and expand our service **

**(As well as to address the incredible variety of entirely new issues **

**that are coming up every day.) Ideas, constructive criticism and other **

**(name removed by moderator)ut from our members who see eBay from different perspectives is **

**extremely valuable. **

**However, there is one formality we would like to clarify. In order to **

**avoid any possible misunderstanding, we must advise you that any **

**comments or materials you have submitted or may submit to us, including **

questions, technical or creative suggestions or ideas, are considered to

**be non-confidential and non-proprietary. **

**Because we are trying our best to handle each of the suggestions that **

**come into the suggestion box with care, this isn’t the best place to **

**reach eBay for support if there is a problem that you need to have **

addressed quickly. The general Customer Support teams are working around

**the clock to help our members by answering questions, providing **

assistance, and doing anything else they can do to help. For any general

**questions, or if you need help with your activities on eBay, you can **

**write directly to a Support Representative by accessing the Contact Us **

page located here:

pages.ebay.com/help/contact_inline/index.html

Please be sure to select a topic that is appropriate to your question or

concern. We will be in touch with you within 24 hours in most cases.

For news and information regarding new developments and changes to eBay,

you can access the Announcement Board here:

www2.ebay.com/aw/announce.shtml

**Again, thank you for taking the time to help us learn more about what **

you want and need from our service.
 
I was told that they reveiwed the issue and there is nothing wrong with the sale. The representative asked me what is was that was being sold on e-bay. I told him he should ask anyone there that is Catholic what it is, I then went on to explain to him what it is. This is outrageous!
 
The situation the caused this thread to start is certainly unusual. One they never covered in our religious education. I have heard of something vaguely similar happening at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Apparently there are ushers whose job description includes making sure that people eat the host they are given because some people want to take it home as a souvenir.

There are additional factors involved in this new situation. But as I listen to peoples responses and fears there are a couple of things that occur to me.

No one can hold God hostage. Perhaps we need a little clarification on the meaning of transubstantiation but I am certain that if someone obtains a consecrated host for any purpose but to consume it in the spirit of faith, we need not fear that somehow God will be damaged. I remember reading that for a consecration to be valid, there is a certain requirement of intent. And if the intent is not true, the consecration is not valid. At the time I couldn’t think of a reason why this exception would be part of the rule but reading about this situation on ebay makes me think the exception was a wise thing to put in. Perhaps someone with more theological background can explain it all more clearly but I am confident that anyone who has obtained a host for financial or related gain, even though that host was physically present at a mass, does not possess the Body of Christ.

peace,

-JIm
 
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Stylteralmaldo:
Here’s the response I got using this e-mail:

**Thank you very much for sharing your suggestions with us. The **

**communication we receive from our community members is critical and, **

**although we are not able to personally respond to your message, we **

appreciate the time you took to write us.

**Our product development team is working to read, discuss, and process **

**the (name removed by moderator)ut that we get from our members. We are currently going through **

**many changes as we learn more about the emerging phenomenon known as **

**eBay, and we are engaging in projects to improve and expand our service **
you want and need from our service.
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That’s their automated response that they’ve received it. You may receive another one after they’ve actually read your email and tell you why selling the Eucharist is not bad. 😦
 
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trogiah:
T
. I remember reading that for a consecration to be valid, there is a certain requirement of intent. And if the intent is not true, the consecration is not valid. At the time I couldn’t think of a reason why this exception would be part of the rule but reading about this situation on ebay makes me think the exception was a wise thing to put in.
peace,

-JIm
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Yes, but a lay person does not consecrate a host. The host was reportedly consecrated by JP II in 1998.so the ‘intent’ comes from the priest at the time of consecration. It doesn’t just ‘unconsecrate’ when a non-catholic touches it.
 
Would it be legal for the seller of the $2000 host be fined for an equal amount by ebay.com for selling illicit items?
 
the catholic league is going in to this case, i think we’ll have an answer soon
 

This is the reply I get from eBay (emphasis in bold).​

Hello ben,

Thank you for taking the time to write eBay with your concerns. I’m happy to help you further. I understand that you are upset at having seen certain Catholic items or items related to the Pope on eBay, including item #6169851381. Because eBay’s community is a diverse, international group of more than 135 million users with varied backgrounds and beliefs, there are times when some items listed on eBay by sellers might be offensive to at least some of our users somewhere in the world. At times, members may see listings that they may consider morally wrong or objectionable. However, even though these listings may be offensive to some, please remember that most of the time the law does not prohibit the items.

Due to the fact that eBay’s focus is to have a free and diverse community, we are reluctant to interfere with listings that are not illegal. Regarding offensive items, there are many items that are considered sacred to many people of various religions, and we sometimes hear complaints about these items. Examples would be Catholic relics of saints, Mormon (LDS) garments, certain Buddhist tablets, etc. However, eBay has made the decision not to prohibit any item only on the basis of the item being endowed with sacred properties by certain religious groups. In general, eBay will remove items for a violation of our Offensive Materials policy only in extreme examples in which the listing explicitly promotes hatred, violence, or racial intolerance. However, we do not remove religious items that are otherwise legal for sale and do not violate any other eBay listing policy.

Please keep in mind that many of us at eBay may also share your distaste with an item, and may not support the sale. In fact, eBay has many Catholic employees. However, we do our best to understand and tolerate the many viewpoints held by our worldwide community. The Eucharist is not illegal to sell, and is generally allowed on eBay as long as the seller does not otherwise include hateful text or images in the listing.

Although we realize that you may not agree with this decision on eBay’s part, we hope that you can respect the diverse and open nature of eBay’s marketplace.

Regards,
Pieter
Community Watch Team
eBay Trust & Safety

Original Message Follows:​

Message: Dear eBay,

I find it extremely offensive that sacred items are sold on eBay. The seller, a non Catholic, attends a Catholic Mass service, obtains the Eucharist which he is not supposed to, hid it from others, then sell it on eBay. I find it a disgraceful and an offensive act, especially to Catholics worldwide. Many others will submit similar emails. Please void this item and add it to the prohibited list.

Thank you very much.

Warmest regards,
-Ben
 
The reply is what I sent to eBay. I won’t be using them any longer until there is a policy change:
Dear eBay,

I’m sorry and saddened to hear that you will not prohibit the sales of the Eucharist, something which most Catholics value above their life. Those selling them on eBay is just extorting good Catholic’s conscience to get it due to reverence because it can be defiled by non-Catholics. Because of this policy, I will no longer use eBay until there is a policy change. I will advise all my friends and colleage in faith to do the same. We will be buying instead from places that don’t offend.

Warmest regards,
-Ben
 
Ben,

Did you mention to eBay their policies regarding a). “misleading titles” and “conterfeit” and b). “stolen goods” as it is clear he did not have permission to do what he did??? Curious. And where did you send the e-mail to so that I can follow up on their response and contact Thomas More Law Center??? Thanks and God Bless.
~slinky1882
 
Please keep in mind that many of us at eBay may also share your distaste with an item, and may not support the sale. In fact, eBay has many Catholic employees. However, we do our best to understand and tolerate the many viewpoints held by our worldwide community. The Eucharist is not illegal to sell, and is generally allowed on eBay as long as the seller does not otherwise include hateful text or images in the listing.

Although we realize that you may not agree with this decision on eBay’s part, we hope that you can respect the diverse and open nature of eBay’s marketplace.

Regards,
Pieter
Community Watch Team
eBay Trust & Safety
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Here is what Rev. Gantley at EWTN had to say about this:
ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=435472

"This is disturbing and underscores the serious responsibility that pastors have to be vigilant about the Eucharist. Pastors should make sure that people receiving Holy Communion at Church receive in front of the priest or minister giving out Holy Communion and should make sure that those who bring Holy Communion to the sick and shut ins follow strict procedures. There is no other reason for taking Holy Communion out of the Church than to bring it to the sick or to shut ins as spiritual food and holy medicine.

Those Catholics directly involved in this grave sin and canonical crime are subjec to an automatic excommunication that is served to the Holy See (canon 1367).

People are certainly free to consider boycotting eBay for allowing this act which is most gravely offensive to Catholic senisilities. "
 
Not to seem fanatical, but I just read this passage in Scripture and was chilled to the bone regarding all of this:
Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.**
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He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there.**
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He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables,**
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and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace*.”
*
His disciples recalled the words of scripture, “Zeal for your house will consume me*.”
*
At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?”
**
Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”**
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The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”**
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**But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
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Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken (John 2:14-22).*
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The allusions which this has to Jesus chastisement of the marketplace in the synagogue is eerie. Not only are we now desecrating the temple of the Lord, but His very Body 😦 We’re worse than ancient Jerusalem. Consumerism is a great evil, John Paul II mentioned it many times. How sad that he himself was unwittingly made an accomplice of it :mad:
 
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slinky1882:
Ben,

Did you mention to eBay their policies regarding a). “misleading titles” and “conterfeit” and b). “stolen goods” as it is clear he did not have permission to do what he did??? Curious. And where did you send the e-mail to so that I can follow up on their response and contact Thomas More Law Center??? Thanks and God Bless.
~slinky1882
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Dear Slinky1882,

I could not find a direct link to email eBay except go through their online form. Try:

pages.ebay.com/help/contact_inline/index.html
  1. Select: Report a listing policy violation or prohibited item
  2. Select: Stolen Property
  3. Select: You suspect stolen property is for sale on eBay
I would also tell them you are offended at the allowable sale of a very sacred item. I have already boycott them and would ask others to do the same until they show reverence for our Lord.

Warmest regards,
-Ben
 
Thanks Ben, I wrote that in my original message to eBay. I detect that eBay won’t listen to offensive material and sacraligious, so I tried to appraoch more of a legal standpoint. I fully believe that the first (offensive material) should end the problme, but unfortunately, I think they would listen to the second better (legal aspects). Thanks and God Bless.
 
Can the Lord himself deconsecrate a host?

Just wondering.

Also how long does a Host stay consecrated?

Say a Host was consecrated and accidently left somewhere eventually becoming dust, is it still the body of our Lord? Or say someone buries one and it degrades, at what point does it cease being the body of Our Lord?

I’m curious.
 
hola:

this is the actual news release in the catholic league webpage

April 13, 2005

**CATHOLICS TO eBay: TREAT US LIKE FAT PEOPLE **

After a consecrated Host was recently auctioned online by eBay (it has since been sold, purportedly to a Knights of Columbus member who bought it out of respect), the Catholic League was deluged with complaints. The policy that eBay cited as a reason for not pulling the item was the subject of the following letter that Catholic League president William Donohue sent to the company today:

“As president of the nation’s largest Catholic civil rights organization, I was disturbed to learn that eBay would unnecessarily offend 63 million Catholics in the U.S., and 1.1 billion worldwide, by selling a consecrated Host online. To Catholics, the Eucharist is the center of our religion, worthy of the utmost reverence. While we don’t expect non-Catholics to maintain the same perspective, we do expect them to be respectful of our sentiments. That is why the decision not to withdraw this item is so disturbing.

“More than disturbing is the reasoning behind the decision. The Community Watch Team of eBay’s Trust & Safety division said that ‘even though these auctions may be offensive to some, please remember that most of the time the law does not prohibit these items.’ But the law has nothing to do with this issue: lots of things are legal and immoral at the same time. Moreover, we are told that eBay has decided not to prohibit any item ‘endowed with sacred properties by certain religious groups.’ Really? Since the policy is conditional, i.e., it refers only to ‘certain’ groups, it would be instructive to know which religious groups eBay would protect. Obviously, Catholics did not make the cut, so who did? And to say that eBay is ‘religiously neutral’ is disingenuous: all moral decisions are judgmental—none can be neutral.

“Last fall, eBay banned the book, *Why Is America So Fat? *Was that an example of your neutrality? Or maybe I’m missing something—was the book endowed with some sacred properties that eBay honors? In any event, the next time someone insults Catholics, please think of us as fat people.”
 
I did not know about the book. But in the same fashion,
I remember that eBay prevented to sell the deck of cards that was on sale with Bush and his administration.
(At the same time they allowed to sell the deck of cards with Saddam.)

Yes, selling the Eucharist is not illegal.
But selling a deck of cards with the picture of Bush and Co, is not illegal either.

They can pick and choose what they allow to sell, but only when it is detrimental to their politics.

Thumbs down to eBay.
 
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