The World - News from March 2, 1988

Britain began stamping most of the 50 million letters mailed each day with the postmark “Jesus is alive.” Muslims were unperturbed, but a Jewish leader expressed reservations. The declarative postmark, which will be used for six weeks, was paid for by Paul Slennet, who sells religious literature at two bookstores in Southend-on-Sea, east of London. The state-owned Post Office said Slennet paid the equivalent of $88,500 for the privilege of having every letter mailed through 68 of its 69 sorting offices stamped with the postmark. “Any institution, organization or member of the public can pay to have a slogan put on the postmark,” said a postal official, adding that the “Jesus is alive” slogan was considered routine.