# What's to prevent me from setting up shop and buying souls? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 2, 2005, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617 "2005-03-02T17:36:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/41 "2005-03-03T12:42:09Z")
> [@](#): > > Regarding that loophole… > > * * * > > Who the hell decided that the fiddle was the devil’s instrument? > > The guitar’s long association with blues (aka “The Devil’s Music”) should establish it as the light carrier’s instrument of choice. No, it’s not the fiddle or the guitar that’s **The Devil’s Instrument** Gary Larson established it in a classic Far Side cartoon: “Welcome to Heaven. Here’s your Harp!” “Welcome to Hell. Here’s your accordion!” (I’d love to hear that song with dueling accordions…) ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/42 "2005-03-03T14:26:42Z")
> [@violacrane](#): > > In just the same way I could sell you my soul but it’s up to you to detach it if you want to keep it. So how are you proposing to do that? I haven’t agree to be killed by the way, in case you were wondering. > > Disclaimer: I do not in fact intend to sell any part of myself, whether body parts, intangibles or the whole shebang. Answer: [Live Organ Transplants](http://www.mwscomp.com/movies/mol/m-10-v.htm)! ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/43 "2005-03-03T15:45:33Z")
I wish to make a complaint about a soul what I purchased not half an hour ago from this very boutique … ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/44 "2005-03-03T15:52:31Z")
The problem with regarding it as solely a faith is that membership conveys certain properties that we normally only associate with cultures and ethinicities; this might just be a limitation of the definition of ‘faith’ though… ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/45 "2005-03-03T15:54:40Z")
Wrong thread. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/46 "2005-03-03T16:02:56Z")
I edited this a little, it doesn’t quite work the same with something invisble, but I thought it was clever.: > [@Futile Gesture](#): > > I wish to make a complaint about a soul what I purchased not half an hour ago from this very boutique … Store Owner: Oh yes, the, uh, the Norwegian …What’s,uh…What’s wrong with it? Futile Gesture: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with it, my lad. 'E’s dead, that’s what’s wrong with it! O: No, no, ‘e’s uh,…he’s resting. F: Look, matey, I know a dead soul when I see one, and I’m looking at one right now. O: No no he’s not dead, he’s, he’s restin’! Remarkable soul, the Norwegian , idn’it, ay? Beautiful colour! F: The colour don’t enter into it. It’s invisble, and besides, it’s stone dead. O: Nononono, no, no! ‘E’s resting! F: All right then, if he’s restin’, I’ll wake him up! (shouting at what seems to be nothing) 'Ello, Mister Souly-soul! I’ve got a lovely fresh cuttle-fish for you if you show…(owner hits the counter) O: There, he moved! F: No, he didn’t, that was you hitting the counter! O: I never!! F: Yes, you did! O: I never, never did anything… F: (yelling and hitting the cage repeatedly) 'ELLO SOUL!!! Testing! Testing! Testing! Testing! This is your nine o’clock alarm call! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/47 "2005-03-03T16:31:31Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Is there anything, in any legal code or ordinance, that would potentially prevent me from contracting with people for their souls? I can’t see how anyone could legally stop me from doing this. Lawyer’s opinion: No. OTOH, you would not be acquiring any property of legally cognizable value, nor any legally enforceable rights of any kind. The receipt I sign would be meaningless. If I decided to sell my soul to both you and your competitor, neither of you would have any cause of action against me, nor against the other. In this world, that is. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/48 "2005-03-03T18:04:48Z")
Exactly. Neither buyer nor seller have any recourse in the case of alleged fraud. So I guess a relevent question is: Are there laws on the books that preclude business under such conditions? From what I can gather in this thread, plus some decidedly non-expert web-searching, no such widespread restrictions on “commerce” exist. Anybody want my soul? Bids start at 100$!! ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/49 "2005-03-03T18:20:20Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Absolutely nothing, as far as I can see. It’s as tangible (and arguably more legitimate) as those folks selling naming rights to stars. > > But don’t count on atheists selling and religious folk refusing. Fredric Brown wrote a story about just such a situation, and it was _atheist_ that refused to sell, while the religious person sold immediately, convinced that the sale was not binding. Interesting story. I was reading a mideviel play in one of my college classes and it invovled a guy selling his soul to satan in exchange for a girl falling in love with him. However, later he decides to repent and ask God for forgivness and since God’s Forgivness is limitless, he gets his soul back and stays with the girl. If one were cynical, one could get a lot out of this… ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/50 "2005-03-03T18:49:41Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > [Don’t bother trying to sell the collected souls on eBay either](http://paxnortona.notfrisco2.com/index.php?p=2050): The _most_ amazing thing about that story is that EBAY ACTUALLY ANSWERED AN EMAIL. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/51 "2005-03-03T19:49:56Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I’ll take cash or a personal check. I want to be paid in quatloos. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/52 "2005-03-03T22:39:59Z")
Is it appropriate to pay for a rubber soul with a bounced check? ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/53 "2005-03-03T22:42:00Z")
You already can here:[THe album “Rubber Soul”](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002UAO/103-9131798-2374226?v=glance) ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2005, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/54 "2005-03-04T03:11:41Z")
Moved from GQ. Because there really wasn’t a question. **samclem** GQ moderator ---
**Author:** ![hiebram](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5fc32e/32.png) [@hiebram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hiebram)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/55 "2005-03-09T19:40:36Z")
There may not be laws against selling souls now, but just try it and they’ll be written. California passed laws against necrophilia last year. Didn’t need 'em before that, I guess. Necessity is the mother of legislation, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/56 "2005-03-09T19:50:18Z")
I believe they are necesary due to Strom Thurman having passed away. P.S. Here are the t-shirts you ordered. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/57 "2005-03-09T19:52:29Z")
Damnit! I mean to post [http://www.cafepress.com/mischopishirts.3883283](http://www.cafepress.com/mischopishirts.3883283) , a link to t-shirts with the words, “Ask Me About Selling Souls!” on them. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/58 "2005-03-09T20:27:07Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Moved from GQ. Because there really wasn’t a question. > > **samclem** GQ moderator With all due respect Sam I had a fairly matter of fact question, regarding if there were any legal entanglements that were likely to stop me from doing this. The thread may have veered into a pun fest, but the OP did address a specific question. > [@](#): > > Is there anything, in any legal code or ordinance, that would potentially prevent me from contracting with people for their souls? I can’t see how anyone could legally stop me from doing this. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/59 "2005-03-09T20:33:18Z")
Have you thought about what to name said shop? Man, do I ever have a song for you to use for the ad campaign! ---
**Author:** ![Dancing\_Fool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Dancing\_Fool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dancing_Fool)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617/60 "2005-03-10T07:05:48Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > (I’d love to hear that song with dueling accordions…) I can’t give you accordians, but the [Sensitive New Age Cowpersons](http://www.cowpersons.com) did a song based on it (Doc and the Devil) with duelling [Theremins](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin). That has got to be nearly as good. 🙂 I mean bad. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-to-prevent-me-from-setting-up-shop-and-buying-souls/292617.md?page=4)