How Would You Score the Decade So Far?

Personally, I wouldn't score it all that high.

The first year wasn't all that bad except for the disappointment, for me, in the way the election turned out. Let it be known as the year of the chads (or how Florida's inability to perform an election recount resulted in two terms of war).

Of course 2001 will be known as the year of 9/11 (at least as long as America is a superpower).

Then 2002 - shall we call that the year of Afghanistan? The year we got rid of the Taliban and the opium harvest was brought back to life?

2003 - Well that has to be the year of Iraq.

2004 - More Iraq, and somehow GWB still managed to get himself a second term. Despite Michael Moore.

2005 - more deaths

2006 - The year of Sadam? How many of his lawyers were murdered en route to his being deemed guilty and sentenced to death by hanging?

Now it's 2007. And what does that bode for us?

Well, not much better unless we change things.

And we can change things, too.

The spirit of Christmas prevails - despite so many changes in culture and attitude over the 21 Centuries since it began.

Why?

Because it is a message of personal liberty, spiritual freedom, hope and peace.

May 2007 bring these things to you.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers are a word help movement, renowned for producing the most effective results to people everywhere. They live the motto: Something can be done about it. Here is a video showing them in action.

Still Room in Our Lives for the Holidays

It's pretty remarkable, isn't it, that we still celebrate an event that occured more than 2,000 years ago?

What other aspect of our lives has that kind of staying power?

Many people have not heard of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which lays out what the fundamental human rights are of every individual. There are 30 of them. Videos have been made of each one that really show what they mean. See them at youthforhumanrights.org.

Pope denounces 'false secularism' that bans religious symbols, input

I was very pleased to see the Pope come out on this important issue:

Pope Benedict XVI denounced what he called a "false secularism" that bans religious symbols from public places and excludes religious input on crucial moral questions.

While the church does not seek to interfere with the freedom of every people to organize its political life, it cannot be mute in front of threats to human life and human dignity, the pope said.

He made the remarks in a talk Dec. 9 to the Union of Italian Catholic Jurists, which was meeting in Rome to discuss the theme of secularism in modern society.>> continued

The Role of Religion in Improving Life in the Here and Now

Many years ago, before I became a Scientologist, I was convinced that a true spiritual path would provide not only enlightenment and increased awareness but would help one overcome those things that caused the being to suffer this lifetime. I was pretty sure that people lived more than one lifetime, and that what one did in an earlier life could have an affect on one in the here and now.

When I found out that Scientology not only believed this too, but that it wasn't even a "belief" but a technology that was invariable and could break through the amnesia of who one was before, I was sold!

And that was only the beginning of what I got out of Scientology!

And, by the way, just as I suspects, if you live a decent life now, you can overcome what you may have done before, and set yourself up for a much brighter futurel.

Media Code of Ethics

The Interparliamentary Conference on Human Rights and Religious Freedom is composed of members of national and supranational parliaments from around the globe. IPC allows members of parliaments to meet and address the issues of human rights and freedom of conscience with common understanding and background as parliamentarians.

Last week, at their conference, one of the sessions was
"Freedom of Religion vs. Freedom of Expression:Balancing Rights in the Exchange of Ideas – After the Cartoons"

At that session a media code of ethics was announced.

Religion in Cyberspace

What do you think would have happened with Christianity or Islam if they were launched during a time when communications were as they are today?

Scientologist Group Calls for Help it the Philappines

Scientology Volunteer Ministers disaster relief teams are being formed up to help in the aftermath of Typhoon Durian. The devastation is very oppressive, with 1000 presumed dead.

If you can help, whether you are a Scientologist or not, your help is seriously needed.

Contact the Volunteer Ministers Coordinator at vm@volunteerministers.org