Ala. City to Rescind 'Dianetics Month'; Mayor Says He Didn't Know of Religious Link

AP ^ | May12, 2004

[nuconvert]

Ala. City to Rescind 'Dianetics Month'; Mayor Says He Didn't Know of Religious Link

The Associated Press

May 12, 2004

CALERA, Ala. (AP) - The mayor says he will rescind a proclamation making May "Dianetics Month," which he approved without knowing it endorsed a religion known for celebrity adherents like Tom Cruise. George Roy, mayor of the city of 3,200, approved the proclamation last month, but said he will rescind it when the City Council meets next week.

"Dianetics," a book written in 1950 by L. Ron Hubbard, is a main basis for the Church of Scientology, based in Clearwater, Fla., and provides advice on spiritual healing.

The Bible Belt city's proclamation urged "all citizens to follow Mr. Hubbard's example and strive to improve the lives of each other by working together and assisting each other to attain a brighter future."

The text arrived prepared with blank lines for the city to insert its name. It wasn't immediately clear Wednesday who sent in the proposed proclamation.

"We did it in good faith," the mayor said.

City Clerk Linda Hill said the city frequently receives requests from civic groups wanting a proclamation. They usually are granted without question or research.

"It's just an official way to recognize something," she said.

In the future, city officials plan to scrutinize requests more thoroughly.

[nuconvert]

D U H

[nuconvert]

"provides advice on spiritual healing."
hmmm.......that's brief and vague

[Unam Sanctam]

Can we simply declare a moratorium on any new "days" "weeks" or "months". I still think it is a First Amendment violation for the government to impose liberal religious and moral views on homosexual activity through official recognition of "Gay Pride Months", and why do they need a whole month anyway?

[plushaye]

Just change the "n" to a "b" and have "Diabetics month", and say that what was really meant all along. That would probably go over better with a lot of people.

[perfect stranger]

"Lloyd Arthur Eshbach was a science fiction writer and publisher between 1929 and 1957. His autobiography, "Over My Shoulder: Reflections on a Science Fiction Era" ( Oswald Train: Publisher, Phila. 1983, limited edition) says on pages 125 and 126 (about the events of 1948 and 1949):

I think of the time while in New York I took John W. Campbell Marty Greenberg, and L. Ron Hubbard to lunch. Someone suggested a Swedish smorgasbord, and I had my first--and last--taste of kidney. Yuck! Afterward we wound up in my hotel room for related conversation. The incident is stamped indelibly in my mind because of one statement that Ron Hubbard made. What led him to say what he did I can't recall--but in so many words Hubbard said: "I'd like to start a religion. That's where the money is!"

Eshbach based his autobiography on detailed records and dated diary entries, and is therefore likely to be quite accurate on this point.

link

[nuconvert]

LOL! Great Idea!

[nuconvert]

I Believe it!

[Samwise]

I have this vision of Hubbard, Heinlein, Clark, and other science fiction writers sitting around a bar a laughing their tookuses off about Scientology and Dianetics.

[HitmanLV]

It's a funny thing when a politicians defense of himself or herself is "Hey, I'm not that bright and didn't know what I was doing." As if that's something to take solace in.

[nuconvert]

LOL

[nuconvert]

At 3200, it is a small town. In Alabama. How they nerve to call it a city, is beyond me.

[Salman]

Dianetics didn't become a "religion" until they got in trouble for practising quack psychiatry. Thereafter freedom of religion protects their doings.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

How proud the people must be to learn that their politicians are uninformed.

Funny post, though.

[Condor51]

I Hereby Proclaim May "Dianetics Month".
oops, No I Don't!