Scientology's poster boy, Tom Cruise; (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris, Wireimage.com) It's hard to know when a religion "begins." It's not like Moses thought, "I think I'll start Judaism today," or Brahman achieved enlightenment at exactly 3:15 p.m., April 23, 722 BCE. The Church of Scientology is no exception. L. Ron Hubbard published "Dianetics" in 1950, and the Church itself was operating as early as 1952, but Hubbard didn't legally incorporate it until February 18, 1954. So when did it "start"? Regardless, in the years since, Scientology has come into its share of controversy, with some dismissing it as a cult and others (mainly from the Church) hailing it as "the fastest growing religion in the world." How fast it's growing is anyone's guess, though, as estimates of adherents range anywhere from mere thousands to over 15 million. Many of the beliefs that Hubbard espoused are outré, but that hasn't stopped such Celebritologists as Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Will Smith, and Beck from signing up and urging others to do likewise. While we'd never want to mock someone's religious beliefs -- especially considering how litigious the Scientology legal staff is -- we also feel we must note how some things are just ripe for parody. Suggested Sites... Scientology.org - the Church's official site. Don't let the registered trademark scare you off. L . Ron Hubbard.org - home of the Church's commanding officer. Dianetics - so just what does that exploding volcano mean? The Truth About Scientology - an opposing view. Rolling Stone: Inside Scientology - a peak behind the curtain.

Directory categories: Scientology, Scientology - Opposing Views, Religion and Spirituality, L. Ron Hubbard, Religious Faiths and Practices

Archived under: Aliens, Anniversaries, Authors, Celebrities, L. Ron Hubbard, Religion, Scientology, Society and Culture

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Long count date of "June 23, 152 CE" as carved into stone by the Mayans Long ago, the Maya began carving what is now known as the Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar onto stone monuments. Unlike our repeating calendar, this Mayan calendar covered more than 5,000 years, with a beginning, August 11, 3114 BC, and an end: December 21, 2012. So, what happens then? Because 12-21-12 may coincide with a possible alignment of the earth and the Milky Way's center, some predict a catastrophic reversal of the earth's polarity. Maya researcher John Major Jenkins argues that this pole reversal will actually result in a shifting of the collective psyche, or "a moment in which the human spirit can emerge from unconscious patterns and blossom." In "The Bible Code," Michael Drosnin predicts an apocalypse in 2012 -- but Drosnin's calamitous predictions for 2000 and 2006 didn't exactly go according to plan. One thing that is certain is humanity's tendency toward mass paranoia and hysteria -- and we're not saying that's always a bad thing. We listened to Art Bell back in the day, we love Graham Hancock, and we can't wait for Michael Bay to CG our brains out in "2012: The War for Souls." A good dose of the-end-is-nigh paranoia can inspire great drama and creativity. And if 2012 doesn't work out as planned, we can still get excited about Asteroid Aphosis in 2036. Suggested Sites... The Maya Calendar - information on the Maya Calendar from the Maya World Studies Center in Yucatan, Mexico. Meta-Religion: Popol Vuh - translation of Popol Vuh, the Mayan creation myth. 13-Moon Natural Time Calendar - a new take on the Mayan calendar from major new-age player, Dr. Jose Arguelles. December 21, 2012 - the "official" 2012 website. Includes news, merchandise for sale, and a 2012 Believers list. Survive 2012 Forum - discussion board with survival tips, 2012 news, various theories, gatherings, events, new age transformations, and more.

Directory categories: Doomsday 2012, Mayan Calendars, Pole Shift, Biblical End Times, Mayan Archeology

Archived under: Calendars, Mayan Civilization, Mythology and Folklore, Predictions, Prophecy, Religion, Time

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Reverend Billy When getting a gift, we're often told, "It's the thought that counts," suggesting that it doesn't matter what we buy, as long as we buy something. Well, if Reverend Billy has anything to say about it, we won't be buying anything. "Reverend Billy" is the nom du theatre of performance artist Bill Talen, who founded the Church of Stop Shopping. His gospel of anti-consumerism became serious when he attacked a certain mouse-headed corporation for its "Disneyfication" of New York's Times Square, and Starbucks for driving out small local businesses in the name of creating a "fake Bohemia." It's not that Billy is anti-capitalist; instead, he stands for a "real human experience" and against corporations that seek to homogenize or erase the uniqueness of small mom 'n' pop stores in the name of efficiency and profit. So before you make that last-minute rush to the mall this week, ask yourself if you're doing all that shopping just for shopping's sake. And pause to think if your purchase will be the one that brings on the Shopocalypse. Suggested Sites... Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping - songs, interventions, and help for the shopaholic in your life. What Would Jesus Buy? - official site for the documentary about Billy's work. Is it heresy to buy a ticket? Stay Away From the Mall, Say Hallelujah! - even the capitalists at Money Magazine have to agree with Billy sometimes. Reverend Billy Preaches on Shopocolypse Tour of the Country - repent while there's still time, consumers! The Stop Shopping Monitor - blog detailing daily actions and works by the Church.

Directory categories: Reverend Billy, Culture Jammers, Anti-Consumerism, Consumer Advocacy, Performance Artists

Archived under: Business, Consumer Advocacy, Counterculture, Culture Jamming, Religion, Shopping, Society and Culture

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© jamesdodd.net We've turned the last page of the 2007 calendar, and it's time to face the fact that Christmas is coming soon. Children and merchants are certainly excited, but the rest of us might need a little nudge to get us in the spirit. One fun way to count down the days of December and get in the holiday mood is an Advent calendar. The calendars date back to the 19th century, when efficient German Lutherans wanted to note the days of Advent. They placed chalk marks on doors: one for each day from December 1 through 24. This simple method soon evolved into the Advent clock, where 24 candles represented the days leading to Christmas Eve. Finally, in 1908, Gerhard Lang printed the first Advent calendar with the familiar little doors. This design became popular and soon those 24 doors hid religious verses, colorful pictures, or bits of bad chocolate. The Advent calendar tradition remains strong today, and style choices abound. You can count your days with the ubiquitous cardboard calendars, elaborate crafty creations, fancy toy sets, or majestic Martha Stewart structures. Some folks have super-sized their calendars or added secular twists. Whether you're counting down to a traditional family gathering, preparing for a serious religious observance, or just getting psyched for a visit from Saint Nick, it's not too late to start your calendar today. Suggested Sites... Holidays on the Net - online advent calendar featuring a new tune each day. Advent Calendar Museum - online gallery of classic Advent calendars. Algebraic Advent - nothing says Christmas like algebra. Advent and Christmas - what is Advent, anyway?

Directory categories: Advent Calendars, Advent, Christmas Activities, Christmas Ornaments, Calendars

Archived under: Advent Calendars, Calendars, Christmas, Holidays, Religion

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William Miller, greatly disappointed While apocalypse theories surrounding Y2K and Hale-Bopp inspire hysteria, they are certainly nothing new. In fact, on this date in 1844, based on his interpretation of Daniel 8:14, Baptist preacher William Miller predicted that the world would end. Thousands of Miller's followers stayed up all night, waiting for the Second Advent. When October 22, 1844, came and went, Miller's miscalculation became known as the "Great Disappointment." Fortunately, early Adventist Hiram Edson had a vision on October 23. It explained that the previous day was actually when Jesus began his final "investigative judgment" to determine who would be eligible for salvation. This reinterpretation gave rise to the 15 million-strong Seventh-day Adventist Church (not to mention to some delicious innovations in vegetarian cuisine). Other post-Millerites determined that the second coming would occur in 1873, and they went on to form the Jehovah's Witnesses. Meanwhile, the Mayan calendar estimates that the world will end on December 21, 2012. At the risk of sounding insensitive, we hope that anyone rooting for that doomsday will also experience a Great Disappointment. Suggested Sites... The Great Disappointment - we're still here? Uh-oh. A Brief History of the Apocalypse - various doomsdays through the ages. The Heaven's Gate Cult - who is left to maintain this website? Y2K Bug Fails to Bite - a look back at when our world almost ended.

Directory categories: Biblical Prophecy, Seventh Day Adventist Church, History of Christianity, Religion, Catastrophism

Archived under: American History, Predictions, Prophecy, Religion, Spirituality

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