Religion sues Utah town to display '7 Aphorisms'

First Amendment Center ^ | 8.05.05 | Associated Press

[Restorer]

Any religious group that quotes repeatedly from The Matrix is difficult to take seriously.

[Army Air Corps]

"The Summum Philosophy embodies the Principles of Creation Itself. From Grand Cycle to Grand Cycle the fundamental esoteric teachings of the Summum Bonum are taught to select advanced souls who then progress to new spiritual levels."

Let me guess, "advanced souls" means "suckers with deep pockets who can pay for years of so-called spiritual training."

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I googled Summum and went to their web site. Among other things, they promote . . . mummification!

[kharaku]

I thought the gnostics beleived the world was created by an evil god...

[buwaya]

And here I was thinking it was just some ACLU-type pranksters inventing a religion just to make trouble.

[inquest]

They're heterodox, so I expect the ACLU will be right behind them all the way.

[obnogs]

While this case seems pretty clear, what about similar claims by more established religions? What if Muslims, or Hindus or Buddhists for example, ask for a monument - especially if they have a significant presence in the area, giving credibility to a claim of historical significance?

[Army Air Corps]

They do have a gift shop...
Maybe there is a mummification coupon available online.

They are identified as a New Age UFO group, though.

[bwteim]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summum

Summum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Summum is a religion begun in 1975. The religion's "seven great principles" are known as psychokinesis, correspondence, vibration, opposition, rhythm, cause and effect, and gender. This group holds the belief that Moses was given both a "lower" and "higher" knowledge. The lower knowledge is embodied in the more widely known Ten Commandments, while the higher is expressed in what Summum knows as the "Seven Aphorisms". In this aspect, Summum resembles an esoteric religious movement.

Practice of the religion involves meditation upon these principles to develop "spiritual Psychokinesis". It appears that there is no recognized deity per se in the philosophy, but rather that we are all part of the mind of the universe and that the universe collectively constitutes something great and worthy of study and meditation.

Summum practices mummification. This service is offered to people of any religious belief with an estimated cost of $67,000. The service is even offered for pets. Since Summum does not request nor accept donations, it is probable that these mummification services are a major source of financial support. Their research into the process of mummification has assisted Egyptologists in understanding the ancient processes. The process has even been featured by National Geographic.

It has been reported that there are over 200,000 followers of Summum.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

"I know Kung Fu..."

[AppyPappy]

Goofballs

#7. Come down from there before you break your fool neck

[Gideon7]

Lets not forget to erect a giant bent spoon in homage to the mystical Uri Geller

[Reaganesque]

You're not to far off. Go to their website and go to the far right of the screen. You will see a link that says "Merh". Click on it. It will lead you to another link in blue. Click on it. On the left hand of the screen, there will be several links including "home", "Free e-book" and "The Magic of Mehr". You want the very next link. There you will find what they consider to be " the most Divine of all Metaphors". I do not repeat it here because it is so thoroughly objectionable. I provide the links to it only so I am not accused of making this up. These people are sick.

[17th Miss Regt]

The most comprehensive statement of their religious beliefs can be found in Summum Theologica. Author was Thomas Quinine, I believe.

[Madeleine Ward]

Some here seem to think that Christianity ought to be the only religion that has the right to put their teachings on public property.

I personally would rather see religious expressions of many religions represented publicly than NONE.

[OB1kNOb]

Where's the monument to Croceism?

Rule#1: You don't tug on Superman's cape
Rule#2: You don't spit into the wind
Rule #3: You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger
Rule#4: And you don't mess around with Jim, da do da do...

[mudblood]

"spoon picture!"

Now that's put a big, hideous grin on my face - thanks for that!

[bwteim]

I take it that you and I are not among the "over 200,000 followers of Summum" ;)

[JimSEA]

Summum leaders believe these were initially passed only to a select few who could understand them

To quote that great philosopher, Bob Dylan, "It ain't me, Babe, It ain't me you're looking for, Babe."