Bridge of Reason

Scientology has been much in the news lately and one wonders if there will be some changes ahead. The trial in Paris could lead to their work being curtailed or banned altogether in France. The trial is still in its early stages but here is a recent update: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/273868 However, what is already clear and out in the open is a report that appeared in St. Petersburg Times in Florida. Mark C. "Marty" Rathbun left the Church of Scientology staff in late 2004, ending a 27-year career that saw him rise to be a top lieutenant to Miscavige in the organization. For the past four years, he has lived a low-profile life in Texas. Some speculated he had died. In February, Rathbun posted an Internet message announcing he was available to counsel other disaffected Scientologists. "Having dug myself out of the dark pit where many who leave the church land," he wrote, "I began lending a hand to others similarly situated." Contacted by the St....

Do you keep up with the news to know at least what is happening to churches in Britain, if not wider afield? If you do you must, like me be concerned at how Christianity is being treated by many of those in authorities? Here is the latest example: Male nurse of 40 years is sacked after urging 'patient' to go to church (in a training session) Andrea Minichiello Williams, Director of Christian Legal Centre commented: "How is it possible that a nurse who has served the public for 40 years should find himself dismissed because in a training exercise he advised someone to go to Church? To seek to censor and suppress this kind of language and belief is the first fruits of a closed society". As I always ask in these situations, "What would have happened if the Muslim had suggested they got to the Mosque?" Is not the church an established part of Society? Should not folks be given the opportunity to find out if such actions could help? The Very Rev John Hall, the...

  “- People need an explanation of religion. I do not say that it's necessary to make all children pray. They will start praying when they realize religion. But they are obliged to know about religion - about Islam, about Christianity. If a person knows about religion, no matter whoever has approached him, it will not misdirect him.” So said the new Russian Patriarch head of the Coordinating Center of the Muslims of the North Caucasus Ismail Berdiyev speaking on the issue of interreligious dialogue in that area and the problem of what he calls “extremist literature”. He expresses particular concern about Wahabism an extreme form of Sunni Islam practiced in Saudi Arabia although there is general concern about both Muslim and Christian sects and cults moving into the area. Foreign missionaries are being monitored and: “The regional Council on religion recommended regional executive board and local municipal authorities, public associations and religious organizations to...

Is it not time for Christians to make their voice heard. Britain seems to be 'hell-bent' (literally and figuratively) on sidelining Christianity but accepting every other belief as ok. Has anyone stopped to ask why? Has anyone bothered to check out the beliefs of Christianity as compared with other religions? Do they really have the same to offer as Christianity? These are the questions I would like to ask the various council, hospital and school authorities. They are taking away the right of free speech but even worse they are taking away the right to eternal life. What do you think about the following? Christian foster mother struck off after Muslim girl converts Would a Muslim be struck off if a Christian child converted? Surely they are seeking to take away the fundamental right of freedom of religion to a girl who is seen in the eyes of the law to be an adult? NHS staff face sack if they discuss religion Just what does constitute preaching? Showing total care for...

George Orwell's 1984 is being lived out in Quebec as a repressive new law mandates that, regardless of their religious affiliations, teachers must teach and students learn the most meaningless pluralism imaginable while parents with strong religious beliefs are ignored as the state takes over their children's spiritual development. "No religious leaders are solicited for their views in this text, but Françoise David, the radical-feminist leader of the Marxist party Québec Solidaire is “interviewed.” Beside a large picture of Mme. David, benignly smiling, face upwardly tilted in the old Sovietic mode, the question is posed: “What would you say to those adolescents who don’t feel concerned about feminism?” David replies: “[Adolescents] need a feminist analysis in their life.” Paganism and cults are offered equal status with Christianity. Witches “are women like any other in daily life;” “Technologically [the Raelians] are 25,000 years in advance of us.” And considering that...