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SCIENTOLOGY WINS TAX EXEMPTION

Younjin Moon leaped from the 17th floor of Harrah's Hotel, landing on the sidewalk. He died instantly from multiple injuries and blunt force trauma.

Rev. Sun Myung Moon, leader of the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, teaches that he and his family are without sin. Steve Hassan, an expert on cult psychology and a former member of the Unification Church, says regarding the death of Moon's son, "I feel tremendously sad and great pity for all of [Rev. Moon's] delusions of grandeur. It must be tremendously tough to be a child of his."

Hassan notes that the church does not publicly condone suicide, but that within the group it is believed by some followers that suicide is preferable to betraying Rev. Moon.

One of the new members, Samuel Herd, is the first African-American to serve on the Governing Body.

According to a Charlotte Christian News story by Michael Barrick, the Rev. E.T. Malone Jr., spokesman for the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, defended the October appearance by feminist theologian Carter Heyward at Kanuga Conference Center, an Episcopal retreat center, saying it was good for the church.

Heyward was a keynote speaker at the four-day conference, "Jesus: A Feminist/Womanist Perspective." Her appearance raised eyebrows among conservatives because she is noted for her radical theology, including the assertion that the Trinity is a "homoerotic image of relations between males."

Malone acknowledged that such views don't necessarily reflect the views of the Episcopal Church, but said there is value in allowing the teaching to occur. "There is something of value in listening to people that you violently disagree with. It allows you to explore your own beliefs," he said.

Heyward is self-described socialist, feminist, lesbian, and "womanist theologian." She teaches theology at the Episcopal Divinity School and is perhaps the best-known member of the church's growing feminist liberation theology movement. Heyward teaches that Christianity has been arrogant and abusive toward those who are not ruling-class men, including homosexuals, Muslims, Wiccans, and animals. Heyward rejectes the divinity of Christ, and says, "I have been led to Sophia/wisdom, to Christa/community, to Hagar the slave woman, to Jephthah's daughter," all non-Christian goddesses now popular among feminist theologians.

Malone said Heyward's opinions are obviously "not the perspective of the Episcopal Church or the Diocese of North Carolina." He added, "For some people in North Carolina, especially female clergy, she is a shining light. For others, she's a great embarrassment. Some see her as a hero. Some see her as a heretic."

George Rose is one of those who sees Heyward as a heretic. He leads North Carolina Episcopalians for Biblical Authority, a theologically conservative grass roots organization. He argued, "Unfortunately she represents a sort of leading edge thinking for a lot of Episcopal clergy. I certainly feel it is inappropriate for her to be teaching there. Granting her a place in such a seminar is affirming her theology. While that might be OK in a secular environment, it's certainly incorrect for a Christian denomination."
But Malone countered, "We have to have the freedom of academic inquiry. The thing I like about the Episcopal Church, we do make room for people on the fringes ... even though we disagree with them strongly."

Rose responded, "It's fine to listen to them, but don't give them a platform. The church has no business giving these guys a platform. Individuals can rant and rave and say what they want, but seeing how it coincides with the predominant leadership of the church, that's our concern."
 

While visiting the Tomioka Hachimangu temple during a trade visit to Japan, Ventura was treated to a privileged Shinto ceremony. Wrapped in an omigoromo, a white vest symbolic of purification, Ventura watched as the chief priest waved leaves of a sakaki tree in an effort to chase away evil.  Ventura was then given the honor of presenting a wreath symbolizing a pure heart.

When he emerged from the temple, Ventura was asked by television reporters to explain the significance of the ceremony in which he had just participated. Showing the keen grasp of religious nuance for which he has become famous, Ventura replied, "Well, we got up. We got down. We spoke some words I was not familiar with."

One reporter accompanying Ventura on the trip admitted, "We're waiting for him to insult the Japanese people."

Granny was known by many to stop and talk about the Lord with complete strangers at restaurants, at airports and in the air, etc. when she traveled.  "Jackie Wimberly said her mother was 'quite a character, on fire for Jesus. She ministered with love and hope.' Granny's strength as a missionary was her sincerity."²

Granny authored a popular book, Mormonism, Mama & Me, (first published 1979) which told the story of her early life as a Mormon, as well as many points of Mormon doctrine and history that Mormon church leaders would prefer their members and the public knew nothing of. She also explained how she was saved in January 1947. Her husband, Ernest Geer, was also saved a week later. He worked their "small farm to support his wife's missionary trips across the country and overseas"³  during their 62 year marriage.

Though Granny will be sorely missed by all who knew her, her funeral was, according to her own wish, a joyous celebration of her "graduation" to eternal life with her Lord Jesus Christ.

   All quotes from Alan D. Fischer, "News," Arizona Daily Star, October 3, 1999, p. 20A.

He was an accomplished musician and writer. He had recently received his degree in Law from Loyola Law School. John was an active member of The Green Party, Sierra Club, and Amnesty International. Most of all, he was a friend to this ministry and staff and will be greatly missed.

Proctor & Gamble has also been the victim of a widespread myth that their moon-and-stars logo is in fact a satanic symbol.