Soul man

Saturday, November 18, 2006

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Gerald Fraller is selling his soul . . .

Just about anything is for sale on the Internet.

But a man's soul?

A Tampa man says he's trying to turn his life around by putting his soul up for sale online. Gerald Fraller's web site to sell his soul went online Monday, and is attracting national attention.

"You know, people invest money in stocks every day for business, so why can't you invest in someone's future?" Fraller said.

Each dollar donated gives the donor one entry into a drawing. The drawing's winner gets a lifelong contract with Fraller, entitling them to benefits such as a percentage of his taxable income, the right to name his children and to decide the message that's chiseled into his tombstone.

As of Saturday, Frall has received more than 3,200 entries . . . and five marriage proposals.

Fraller says he'll give part of the money he raises to charity and use the rest to change his life.

"What I want to do is get some counseling and be able to take time to focus on that," Fraller said. "Then from there, who knows, maybe I'll start a business, pursue a new career, a new education. Something that would make me happy."

E-mails are coming in from all over the world.

"People are saying my story is encouraging," Fraller said. "It's giving them hope."

But Fraller is also hearing from a lot of people who believe what he's

. . . on his Win My Soul web site.

doing is morally wrong.

"It's been, 'We're praying for you. Don't sell your soul because it doesn't belong to you. It belongs to God,' " Fraller said.

Fraller responds to all of the e-mails he receives personally and says he is open to hearing different viewpoints. He also says he retains his free will, and the contract will include a $1 million buyback clause.

"You never know," Fraller said. "At the end of my days maybe I'll want my soul back."

Fraller says he sees the sale as a commitment that will tie him to the other person for the rest of his life. He plans to write a book about his experience.

Fraller says the drawing for his soul will be held next year.

Click here for Fraller's site.

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