I am closely related to a Scientologist.
I have never seen it as a religion, but as a huge money-making entity with large profits for the few at the top.
Just another business essentially, except, the "workers" receive nothing for all the years they put in.

Amway is what come's to mind with you saying that. But that's kinduv forgivable as it mere stuff they're purveying, these people are messing with peoples heads.

Newton,
A classic american nutcase religion for profit, like mormonism. Well, not exactly. But just as nutty.
Started by a sci fi writer. Hubbard. Wrote dianetics, big best seller in 1950. Then 1952, cahnged name to scientology. Cultish phenomenon. Some of their beliefs are interesting in a metaphorical way. Like: we a re "thetans", perfect beings who once created the universe just for our pleasure, then became too enmeshed in, identified with, their creation, lost their memory. Basic higher mythology.

The interesting thing about it is the celebrites. I dont see what they like about it. Maybe i do. It says they are special beings. Which is what they are "missing" in their daily lives, i guess. All those stalkers & unfair media portrayal,, etc.

Hubbard wasa charismatic geniuis, like joseph smith and a buncha guys and gals before him. This particular cult had what it took. Nobody takes it seriously except them. But why not make it a religion? It serves as a living parody of organized religion itself.

Jim

It started as a bet between two sci fi writers.

And it ends with a spaceship.

oy
rated

As in anything else, "let the buyer beware".

The same could be said about televangilists who get people to fork over their money in hopes of salvation and the money is spent on prostitutes and building large empires for these so-called spiritual gurus.

Scientology is a religion and while it may seem absurd to some it has worked for others.

Personally, I go by the saying, "Live and Let Live". It works for me.

I liked the way James summed it up, "It serves as a living parody of organized religion itself."

I liked the way James summed it up, "It serves as a living parody of organized religion itself."

try watching that video on youtube of tom cruise. must watch video. he looks disoriented and brainwashed to me.
scientology is very secretive, & aggressive, something that is a red flag for me.
look at the origin-- a science fiction writer named hubbard. interesting guy, but yew.
yes, it does have the feel of a business pyramid scheme to me.

btw by aggressive I mean: scientologists have also been very litigious and hostile of the free flow of info on internet/cyberspace. ex-members publicize negative stuff about the church & the church sues. the word "censorship" is thrown around a lot wrt scientology. also-- there is a pretty good case to be made that cruises erratic behavior, somewhat related to scientology, is directly responsible for the calamatous decline in his career.

Scientology IMHO is a cult for profit. I would never legitimize it as a religion.

Great topic!

Sadly, I think religion in general has lost its way. Its suppposed to be about bringing people together and lifting the human spirit, not making a quick buck.

Regarding Scientology, I think its just a "fad"

Rated for getting the discussion going!

Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard was a talented sci-fi writer who parlayed the success of his 1950 book Dianetics into a new "religion".

The case can be made that he was psychotic, at least at the time of his death. The coroner's report revealed that he had been injected with Vistaril, a powerful anti-psychotic drug.

The 1983 edition of the Physician's Desk Reference states that Vistaril "is useful in treating the following type of patients when intramuscular administration is indicated:

1. The acutely disturbed or hysterical patient.
2. The acute or chronic alcoholic with anxiety withdrawal symptoms or delirium tremens.
3. As pre- and postoperative and pre- and postpartum adjunctive medication to permit reduction in narcotic dosage, allay anxiety and control emesis. "

It is also interested that he was a patient at the Naval Hospital in Oakland, CA at the time of his separation from duty. His medical records from that stay have mysteriously disappeared. He later (1947) wrote to the VA requesting medical help for a mental condition.

At the time of his death he was reported to control hundreds of millions of dollars. Some (this writer included) see this a a possible motive for murder.

Jim and Wayne, great facts, I had no idea it was that convoluted. So the entire “religion” is based on the hallucinations of psychotic science fiction writer.. So in a sense I would say, if you were silly enough to fall for it…

Jl, Go figure, I’m just as dumbfounded.

Trudge, I also go by the “Let the Buyer beware” and “Live and Let Live" approach, but there is a point where such manipulations is downright criminal. And that is what the French case wishes to prove, thought it is very difficult to draw a causal line between the followers stupidly, and the con artists inducements, and its emperors new clothes stuff we’re talking about. And then there is the issue of the innocent victims, as Jett may well be.

Brie, indeed, but I think formal religions still have something to contribute to society, it’s the money making aspect and how the followers make their gurus fantastically rich that really floors me.

Vzn, I thing he does seem possessed. I feel sorry for Katie and their kid in having been roped into this quagmire, as I really like her, particularly her grounded ness. I think a case can be made that The Secret was responsible for the decline of Oprah’s career as well. Since airing it her ratings decline, she gained significant weight, girls were raped at her exclusive shool in South Africa, she indicated she may be suffering from depression, had thyroid problems. This while having a full entourage to take care of her, including world famous sports physiologies Bob Greene and The Secret’s very own Michael Beckworth as her personal spiritual advisor—interesting, Beckworth being a former drug dealer, now rather purveying the more sociably acceptable opiate of religion.


Dbd, I agree with you fully. It sounds more like a con which ended up having a life of its own.

And Wayne, I do think religion has lost its way, and the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church is not helping formal religion either.

Lady M, let's see where the discussion heads. The problem is, when the religious fanatics enter the fray, they tend to take the discussion very personally instead of looking at the issues at hand--sorry for generalizing but that has been my experience.

Sorry Lady M, the part of religion losing its way was meant for you.

Newton,

I have spent an exhausting day just thinking. and writing in this damn snakepit...

i guess we could come up with a fine little religion, if we wanted to...

except we have no desire to...

we wanna live a free, individual life...

in any new religion, like...Blakes...whichis not exactly new, its as old as america itself, and by the way, he wrote a little poem called "america" that you might like to read the next time you eat mushrooms...

the Individual is Holy.

The individual is the whole point of God, Nature, the Universe, Everything...

It is the creation of a living "point of view of the Universe , by th e Universe itself, individualized"
that is the whole pt of Creation. That puts us, alas, at the crown of creation, but what can you do...

but take the Responsibility SERIOUSLY...

and oh yeah, the "CHildren are our future"...blah blah....i am a Child in the Kingdom of the lord,
do i rate some help? No? then fuckyou & go blow yrself up
for all i care...

It is the death instinct, Newton, freud's thanatos, that rule s
them. they want death, to escape the unbearable confines of their egoic self, which is indeed hell...

so they figger: blow up the world & get some relief fro htis madness. Except there are a few of us left who love Eros, the life instinct..

sounds like the script for a handy-dandy little religion, eh bud?

ha..jme

We should meet sometime and formulate the details.

There are many religious sects and institutions, as well as esoteric groups and organizations, that have become quite adept at "packaging" a kind of canned (think "SPAM") 'Logos/Eros/Mythos' mix that goes down relatively easy and serves to inflate the ego via a "spiritual bypass" that poses as a pathway toward genuine psychospiritual development and evolution. Scientology is one such organization, in my opinion. If anyone saw the "South Park" episode that revealed many of Scientology's basic tenants and beliefs, that was relatively accurate, as outrageous and preposterous as it may have seemed.

Scientology is quite similar to Mormonism, which I researched in depth. These are not religions; they are in fact cults, and I can support this statement with facts. Mormonism was founded by a known con-artist (Joseph Smith) and the Book of Mormon is a veritable fairy tale. Members have "secrets" and a secret temple and wear "special" underwear that protects them from harm. Scientology is also highly secretive. This could be said about many of the world's great religions, naturally (rituals, mystical events, confessions, etc.) so perhaps, as a segway to this discussion, we might further explore and define what is a religion and what is a cult, and are there differences between the two; also, how is the religion or cult "marketed," who is the "target audience" (ideal prospective member), and who profits most financially. Then we can perhaps more clearly see where Scientology falls on this continuum.

Angie, what an insightful input. I prefer to view the main religious streams with a strong social network and time tested precepts as being religions. Any wayward grouping professing to base their views on a "spiritual" premise, and which has a strong charismatic leader, with a definite profit motive or some aspect of sexual perversion, I view as being questionable--either cultic or occultic.

The issue of "live and let live" is a very interesting one and is an approach favored in the US, but not so in many European nations as the current case in France indicates.

The following is interesting in this regard and thought I’d add them for your reference.

Firstly, what many don’t know is that Nazism was also based on a new age religious cult – refer to New Religions and the Nazis by University of Calgary social anthropologist Karla Poewe. Firstly, according to professor. The difference being that Hitler used it for his political ambitions, but that modern cults are mostly motivated for financial gain or personal acclaim.

Secondly, according to the author of the Lucifer Effect Professor Philip Zimbardo, the rise of cults and sects have taken epidemic proportions in the US. About this he writes:

The cult epidemic is diagnostic of where and how society is failing its citizens…
In general, cult leaders offer simple solutions to the increasingly complex world problems we all face daily. They offer the simple path to happiness, to success, to salvation by following their simple rules, simple group regimentation and simple total lifestyle. Ultimately, each new member contributes to the power of the leader by trading his or her freedom for the illusion of security and reflected glory that group membership holds out.
Cults promise to fulfil most of those personal individual needs and also to compensate for a litany of societal failures: to make their slice of the world safe, healthy, caring, predictable and controllable. They will eliminate the increasing feelings of isolation and alienation being created by mobility, technology, competition, meritocracy, incivility, and dehumanized living and working conditions in our society.
It seems like a "win-win" trade for those whose freedom is without power to make a difference in their lives. This may be especially so for the shy among us. Shyness among adults is now escalating to epidemic proportions, according to recent research by Dr. B. Carducci in Indiana and my research team in California. More than 50 percent of college-aged adults report being chronically shy (lacking social skills, low self-esteem, awkward in many social encounters). As with the rise in cult membership, a public health model is essential for understanding how societal pathology is implicated in contributing to the rise in shyness among adults and children in America.

There was a time when I had to deal with this on a very personal level. A loved one had been caught in a cult and came very close to suicide. I was helped by a wonderful organization called The Cult Awareness Network who literally saved my friend’s life. As for Scientology, I think this video of a 60 Minutes episode says it all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoASMyv9Cek

newton fortuin & angie simonetta:

I have decided to commandeer newton's fine blog for a minute. executive decision. i have picked up ms simon-etta's challenge here...

1.whats areligion, what is a cult? A religion today is some damn thing you are attached to, who knows how,r eally & it is
just a social category for yr lonely little soul
you can feela allegiance to, etc...develop tis line...

2. A Cult is a n actively seeking organization. Seeking some experience of more powerful connection with....well...the Christ started a cult and it prospered. Use Him as a model. Him being God & all. He was, but


his Message really gotta be updated, fast. These cults play at that. Moromonismis a fantastically successful Cult Phenomenon...the members are in thrall to a Charismatic Leader, a man plugged in cosmically somehow, hopefully in not too weirdly symbolic way...

3. best person to get = person having nihilistic flirtations...

person who most benefits= the Founder, I guess...he gets a big life, an important one....wouuldnt that be nice....hey, should the 3 of us start a cult? i shall let Newton be the Charismatic leader.......
4. the people who also benefit well are the ....um, call them the Smart people around the founder & later in the structure of the Administration of the Cult.....like the communist party.......suck the life of the young raw religious yearning......but...well,

Deprogrammers should just do a buncha reductio ad absurdims on em. Reduce the mythology to shreds. Show em the kinda life they say they want.....itll be in human, and they will "see" in

an epiphany...

thank you, newton..i yield the fucking floor..

Jim, in a savage beast mood over trouble with his wummun
l

Angelique - I saw the South Park episode you speak of! LMAO :)
Excellent points concerning the religion 'cookie cutter' mentalities that seem to abound here in the states.

Newton - The epidemic you speak of is a perfect example of society's ills come to roost. Everywhere there is a 'crack' of need, there is someone or some-thought to fill it. Raging watery and watered down spirit...thought...life...love...lost. It's like we are all drowning in the waters spewed from the dragon's mouth as it trys to find and vanquish...what? Don't know that answer, but it feels true lol.

peece,
dj

James - that's a hell of a first start, lol. Scary making sense :P

I think if you spend anytime reading the web site Ex Scientology Kids, you might get a very good overview of what scientology has wrought on some innocent, non-consenting people who grew up completely cut off from the mainstream world, particularly the families involved in the Sea Org (the administrative branch). From a sociological point of view, it's fascinating. From a humanistic one, however, it seems tragic.

http://exscientologykids.com/storiesindex.html

Spiritman, thanks for the video and I’ve included the link in the main post. It’s real scary how they manipulate people, and how they destroy those who may be opposed to them.

James, yep, you can say Christ started a cult as well, but the real thing about this bunch is the absolute voodoo behind the belief, but also the absolute profiteering which one cannot associate with early Christianity—indeed the opposite was the case.

Jim, the only thing I can say is that you’re a word magician. Thanks for the input, I found your summation exquisite.

Undertow, I fully agree with you on this “From a sociological point of view, it's fascinating. From a humanistic one, however, it seems tragic”. I’ve printed out some of the stories to get some idea, but I had no idea how egregious this organization actually was.

And by the way Jimbo, I accept your nomination for grand master of our cult to be. But who would be our target market, Saloner's are far too rational and grounded a bunch to focus our attentions on them, and all the other forums have already been taken?

Oh Boy, I am so excited to be a founding member of our new CULT. I would like to represent the Divine Feminine, offering a strange mix of innocence and pristine sexuality; I shall occassionally deliver sermons, but I will sing these in a breathless re-creation of Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' performance. I am sure this will bring in LOTS of money, particularly from our male faction. However, this presents a conundrum, because I thought our most likely target audience would be those who buy 'National Enquirer' - however, research shows that more women buy this gossip-rag than men; therefore, this possibly negates the financial wisdom of my planned sermon-style.

Hmmmm...What sort of cult would attract as many men (or more men) than women in this day and age? I know! A cult led by...ME!!!!! Therefore, I now must kindly ask Newton to graciously step aside so that I can take over as the new leader of this Cult; naturally, this means I now hold a 51% share in our little (but I am sure soon-to-grow) organization. James and Newton, you now can divide up the 49% that's left (I think this is most generous of me) - And you two do the math on that; my math career ended at Calculus (I don't even think I can spell the damn word right!)

OK, what's next???(!)

Angie, I better set the groundrules, no feminists. See, you hardly get a whif of potential power, and you dig in your claws and want to put the rightful - dare I say - divinely blessed (refer to avitar as evidence), leadership aside. To be honest, I preferred the first part (that is before you rudely interjected with your "logical" interlude), Me as leader, apostle James as my specially anointed apostle, with a pure female membership that we may worship the Feminine Divine. You can be in charge of that horde. But your latter suggestion will receive my due consideration.

Oops, I realize you'd probably not get the bless part, bles is bald in Dutch.

A. & Newton...

A little rushed for time now but i shall make preliminary comments ...

A: ok, yre the leader...especially after the "pristine sexuality mixed with innocence" thing. Actually, that kind of describes me, too, i think..and this only makes sense, really, because founders of cults MUST be charismatic as well as...you know.......i dunno about you, newton, re. yr pristineness etc....
A committee of 3 running a cult...hm...never been tried to my knowledge....simple "2 out of 3" voting on important matters, like Angie doing her sermons in the way she described...i preliminarily
vot e YES...just for financial reasons of course...we DO need a draw for men...and i believe with angies's sermons & whatever she will be doing on non-sermon days, representing the Divine Feminine & all....PLUS my natural (or acquired is more like it) profane & instinctual way of speaking , in MY sermons, which will be barnburners, we got that area covered....(ps in future if i call you marilyn yl know the reference..)

Newton: you bring your keen and analytical mind to the table, plus yr calm and noble spirit. It will be a godsend i predict, considering yr partners...Plus i bet you know a hell of alot more about finances than me, though i cant speak for angie about this, but she DOESNT have calculus, remember...tell her what she missed, newton...as you are the namesake of the inventor, or the sort of inventor...right? didnt he invent it??

First business to discuss obviously: What the hell do we worship? Like, maybe...the Divine Two, the Eternal Mother & Father? Does that measn it just takes Angie to represent the Feminine, and two of us to be the Male Aspect of the Divinity? So we have a ...HA...bipolar male god?

Please atten d to cult bizness at yr convenience....we are off to a fine start, i think....James e.....

Now that we've got the leadership pegged, the details will follow. If we can go weirder that Icke and the blue blooded lizard immaculate invasion thingamgic, we've got a sure blockbuster on our hands...

Scientology is a cult designed to make the people on top wealthy. It is very effective at this. It's selling Amway products, but the "products" are Hubbard's psychobabble.

They are following the religion of a man who once joked that the best way to earn money would be to start his own religion. Well, he did... and it continues to earn a lot of money.

I'm almost jealous I didn't think of Scientology first. ;)

Incandescent, you can join our one. We'll make an exception, you'll be the only other allowed male.

But seriously, yes, I suppose the motto " if you were silly enough to fall for it..." applies. The thing though is the blatant intimidation as pointed out in the 60 minute video spiritman referred to and the innocent kids that are exposed to it because of their parents indiscretions/stupidity/weakness as undertow's link pointed out.

I think the only way one can counter this kind of thing is if we wisen and toughen up to it, and if we get caught up in it, that we've all but handed over our common sense to these manipulators on a silver platter.

June 1 (Hey, it's Marilyn's Birthday!), 2009
To: Blessed (Bald!) Newton and Apostle James
From: Angelique Simonetta - Leader of the Divine Feminine (NOT feminist!)

My Dear CULT Colleagues,

I have come up with a solution regarding our leadership dilemma (the only REAL dilemma is my not being immediately recognized as the rightful leader), and it is as follows: We shall divide our CULT into three factions, these being:

1) Logos
2) Eros, and
3) Mythos.

Newton, you will take Logos (you are the obvious choice, let's face it). I, Angelique, will (naturally) take Eros, and James, with his penetrating insight into symbolism, will take Mythos.

There, that settles it. And, according to my mathematical calculations, based on this new arrangement, I still get 51%.

What say you both?

Lastly: I bet that Jimenace would be happy to become our honorary first CULT member. Should we ask him?

Brilliant solution, Angie.

My first act as head of the Mythos aspect of our CULT will be to examine the significance of Marilyn's birthday being today of all days, with the cult getting started today, and her (seemingly) inadvertent connection with it...i may need advice from Eros on this...i dont think Logos can be of much help with...instances of synchronicity like this...tho i could be wrong...

By the way, you two...be on the lookout for synchronicity. I will need to know about it. As the CULT get s of f the ground, there wiill naturally be more & more instances, as the symbolic constellations form around this grand new thing in the universe:the CULT...

oh, & absolutely on jimenace...i vouch for him...known him quite awhile..

(For someone who stopped at calculus, Angie, or..eros... your math seems...proficient...ms. 51%...!)

james m. e., aka "Mr Mythos"

I am honored to be the first - canI read the ToS please? I just want to make sure to free up a month or so for the grueling inculcating phase. I look forward to serving the feminine. :)

So do we pass out little blue pills at the beginning or what?

peece!!!
dj

Oops! Steel is my sci-fi alter ego I used today to help push the post from Mr. Mustard about suicide. It was awesome and perhaps you all should read it as well. Anywayyyyyssss:

I am honored to be the first - canI read the ToS please? I just want to make sure to free up a month or so for the grueling inculcating phase. I look forward to serving the feminine. :)

So do we pass out little blue pills at the beginning or what?

peece!!!
dj

Angie, we shall henceforth be known as the holy trinity, and for that stroke of genius you’re welcome to your 51%, since – if my mathematics serves me correctly – it now is immaterial, for now we are sublimely one in body mind and soul.

Jim, of course I most certainly be of assistance on this subject, my initial vacillation on the subject was cleared by the Merriam Webster online dictionary which clarified it as “the quality or fact of being synchronous”. The significance, therefore, is that embryonic duplication to the point of organismic viability outside of a semi aqueous substance was completed exactly 83 years ago for the then fledgling miss Monroe who has embed the sexual revolution which has resulted in the perpetuation of her initial profanous incidences of undress, to the outrageous pornography of thought of our troubling times. A truly troubling significance. I hope that clears up any confusion you may have had on this subject.

As far as young Jim (Aka Steel—is that as in metal, or the otherwise nefarious activity) is concerned, I’m not certain whether such a duplicitous character could advance the noble tenets of our esteemed organsiation, though I’m willing to give him a tentatively circumspectfull opportunity to prove me wrong. I certainly don’t wish to jeopardize our ordained unity so soon after its immaculate consummation by opposing you dear James.

Newton: I am glad that you were able to immediately recognize my COMPLETELY ORIGINAL and "NEVER-BEFORE-ATTEMPTED" concept of "THE HOLY TRINITY" (although, somehow, it seems strangely and vaguely familiar...Maybe from 'The Matrix' movies? Hmmmm....). I accept our renewed financial arrangement as well, and am glad that you see the inarguable wisdom of my compensation package.

Next: I am please to report that I had a dream early this morning that is loaded with synchronicity and symbology. Therefore, I now offer this dream to Jim / Mythos for his examination and analysis. Newton / Logos, you will no doubt want to jump in on this too, and perhaps Jimenace too (if Logos will allow such input). I believe it is possible the dream itself describes the underlying, "true" nature of a CULT - but that is just a suspicion I have. And I assure you, this was a REAL DREAM:

In the dream, I walked into a house I was thinking of purchasing. There were two or more middle-aged men there, showing me the house. I saw a pathway leading up to the fireplace (this is all indoors, mind you) and the path was lined on each side by small, rounded bushes (about 2 feet high each). In the center of the pathway was a square pond, about 3 or 4 feet wide. The men were very excited to show me that the bushes could be lit up via some strange electrical system, just like (gas) fireplace, and one could turn these on all at the same time. Like mad scientists, they threw the switch, and suddenly the fireplace went on, and the bushes began crackling and sparking with electricity. However, the bushes were made out of some kind of cheap, flammable material, and they quickly caught on fire and began smoking and burning...Becoming (you can see where this is going now, can't you?) BURNING BUSHES, but "man-made" (electrical, "low-tech") burning bushes. The house was in danger of quickly catching on fire. Suddenly, a 'helper' (Asian male) appeared by my side, and he began throwing water on the burning (artificial, sparking, electrified) bushes, until they were safely put out. It was only then, when I walked up to the bushes, that that square pond was revealed, and the water appeared unfresh and tepid, more like a swamp.

There was more to it after that, but that is the core of it. Burning Bushes, pathways, squared (possible) non-flowing water mandalas, manipulative, dangerous "sellers" of "houses" (Jung proposed that houses symbolized oftimes the "house" of the soul) - I think this should keep Mythos busy for sometime!!!

Also, interesting to consider the following: "On another level, Rabbenu Bechaya suggests that the image of the Burning Bush is a paradigm for all physical reality. Since the physical world is a product of Godly, spiritual creation, it is logical to assume that the physical universe should be consumed by the overwhelmingly powerful spiritual flow emanating from God. The continued existence of the entire physical universe, therefore, is very much like the continued existence of this Burning Bush. Through the symbolism of the Bush, the Almighty gave His reassurance to sustain the world." (This quote, along with further explorations of the symbology of the Burning Bush, can be found here: http://www.aish.com/torahportion/appel/Moses_at_the_Burning_Bush.asp) - Okay, Mythos, how much more synchronicity do you want? Now get cracking on your symbolic analysis and let us know what this means to our newly formed cult!

(p.s. - I think Jimenace, once properly brainwashed, would make a good recruiter - Think how many ladies he could woo in to our organization with his [cult-approved / sanctioned] poetic offerings???)

This is too good LOL - but alas I am behind the virtual bars of an office with random meetings. My fervent prayers and feverish visions will need to wait for this afternoon!

This is Angelique - I am offering this (temporary) profile photo of MYSELF, in the LIVING (albeit digitally photographed) FLESH as an IMAGE of EROS for our CULT - What think you, Sirs?

Eros indeed. Guaranteed quadrupling of our membership within the next 24 hours. About your dream, tremendous symbolism, and the murky waters is very poignant. Makes me think of the name of my own book, The Scourge of our Time: The demise of Critical thinking in the Age of "The secret" which is essentially about how we allow ourselves to be hoodwinked, or how we are manipulated into buying into the many esoteria for sale. Houses, and burning bushes certainly come to play in that a new transcendent understanding is required, but one that is truly grounded on the foundation of rational science, and for that a number of burning bushes is indeed required. Perhaps the old house needs to be burnt to the ground that a new transcendent understanding may arise like a phoenix from its ashes.

Sorry, just had a logos moment, now for the eagerly awaited mythos interpretation.

Your new avatar is a vision, Eros - and is what will draw in the masses. My lens is ready for washing.
peece,
dj

NEWTON & a & JIMENACE...

N:Burn those bushes indeed...then let some damn Moses come & dephicer it while you go along on yr merry way, with the spiritual EASE of knowing that you are heading in the right direction, and that every day bring confirmation of that...

A:I am seriously grateful for you turning to face us men, if only for too brief a space...

JIM:What can I say... a constant beautiful companion in this absurd joyous journey...Dont believe the Lies Out There, and dont take em seriously or personally...they aint worth investing yr energy in...(and it's what they want...)...

keep up yr LOL'ing , friend..

(Jim..you'll like this:
Long Prosper the ELM Tree...get it? eros,...etc)

jim e, vanquished temporarily by contingencies,
but willing to take another shot,...and another...etc

I think that we must now make DJ a full-fledged member. DJ, if you would give yourself a title that starts with the letter "O", we could be the Cult of ELMO!!! What could be more innocent and benign than that? (See http://www.sesamestreet.org/onair/characters/elmo)

This would allow us to attract entire families - especially children! We could give the Fundamentalist Right-Wingers a run for their money then - get 'em while they're young! (to see what those fundamentalists are up to, see 'Using Children as 'God's Army', A documentary By Kirsten A. Powers: A new documentary chronicles a summer camp where children, as young as six, are trained to become devout Christian soldiers.

For example, DJ, your title / name could be 'Oracle'! And there we have it: The Church of ELMO!!!!

("Church of ELMO" - What could be better???)

I've seen this mistake a lot on OS and elsewhere and it bothers me. There is quite a difference.

Tenants = people who rent property.
Tenets = a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true; especially: one held in common by members of an organization, movement, or profession.

Thank youQ

Angie you devious one... ELMO, but your avatar suggests we’ve lost our E, now we have to use you as our mascot. I will follow the link when I have some time and comment later.

And Emma, thanks for stopping by, and I will watch out for that. Indeed it is quite a common oversight.

Mythos has not taken to my new (Elmo) avatar, so for his sake, I will return to my former identity...So, I am back to being Eros again, and the problem is thereby solved.

Oh well - lol - Oracle had a nice poetic touch to it :)

I miss the Eros Dawning avatar you had before, personally.

peece!
dj