The reason for all this, Moore says, is that Sir John, who founded the highly successful Templeton Growth Fund and Templeton World Fund, believes the dollar will lose 40 percent of its value against foreign currencies in the coming months, especially the Japanese Yen and Chinese Yuan.

This depreciation will cause the Chinese and Japanese, who own 36 percent of all U.S. foreign debt, to sell their bonds and mortgage obligations and take their money out of the country.

"Stagflation is hell on equities," Moore said.

In turn, U.S. consumers will see their living standards decline, causing them to pull back on spending, sending another negative shock through the economy.

Templeton, who is 92, could not be reached for comment. But investment advisors contacted by the Herald-Tribune did not dispute his logic.

They all agreed that the greatest fear hanging over the world economy at the moment is the possibility that the value of the U.S. dollar will crash.

"I think Templeton is a good source and good long-term thinker," said Dave Anderson, president of Gold Financial Services in Kansas. "If I have one concern right now, it's the same one he voiced."

In Gold Financial's most recent newsletter, Anderson confirmed what Templeton is saying.

" We continue to see the greatest danger in our outlook coming from ongoing debasement of the U.S. dollar in the world market and the (Bush) Administration's wish to have flexible exchange rates," Anderson wrote.

Under pressure in this election year to do something to protect U.S. manufacturers, the Bush administration has been advocating a weaker dollar, Anderson said. A weaker dollar would make U.S. goods less expensive, allowing manufacturers to sell more both domestically and abroad.

Although Anderson and other investors believe the threat of a falling U.S. dollar is serious, they are not predicting as dark a future as Templeton.

Anderson thinks there will be a stock market correction, but he doesn't see the dollar and the U.S. stock market going into free fall.

Susan Moseley, president of Moseley Investment Management in Bradenton, agrees. But she added that comments coming from Templeton should be evaluated carefully.

She said Templeton's advanced age could count against him. But then again he called it right in 1999 when he predicted the stock market would fall, Moseley said.

" He does have an incredible ability to look at the world," she added. "When he says something, you definitely have to take a step back and think it over."

Gary Wood, owner of Wood Asset Management in Sarasota, also agreed with Templeton's logic. But Wood said he did not expect a precipitous drop in the dollar or the stock market.

" I don't expect a decline like that," Wood said. "I think the Bush administration will want a reasonably strong dollar and will take steps to ensure that happens."

For Moore, Templeton's arguments make perfect sense.

He said that if the dollar plunges, foreign investors will sell off their investments in U.S. Treasury bonds and real estate mortgages.

To attract more money to finance the growing Federal budget deficit and to continue to finance real estate mortgages, the Federal Reserve and U.S. banks will have to increase interest rates.

Rising interest rates make it more difficult for home buyers to borrow money. According to Business Week, someone wanting a $200,000 mortgage must have an annual income of $57,500 when interest rates are at 6 percent, but when interest rates rise to 8.6 percent, that same person needs an annual income of $74,700.

With fewer people able to purchase homes, the value of existing homes will stop rising. In turn, fewer homes will be built, stalling one of the great engines of economic growth in recent years -- the construction industry.

The impact of rising interest rates on the real estate market, is why Templeton is advising investors to sell residential real estate investments, Moore said. The reason Templeton is advising against U.S. stocks is that they never do well in a period of stagflation.

U.S. bonds are a safe bet, Moore said. But a better bet would be to buy foreign bonds. If you buy foreign bonds when the value of the dollar is declining against foreign currencies, you make money.

The reason Templeton recommends Canadian, New Zealand, and Australian bonds is that these countries are major exporters of agricultural commodities. During periods of inflation, prices of agricultural commodities often rise, Moore said.

Moore said it may take more than a few months for Templeton's scenario to work itself out.

"But I'm worried," he said.