1. Home
  2. Religion & Spirituality
  3. Alternative Religions

Rosicrucian and Masonic Origins

Manly P. Hall discusses the common origins of the Ropsicrucians and Freemasons.

More About Rosicrucians

Jennifer's Alternative Religions Blog

The Feast of Mary Magdalen

Tuesday July 22, 2008

Today is the traditional Feast Day of Mary Magdalen, Saint, purported gospel author, and apostle of Christ. For millenia Mary was relegated to a minor role, as a repentant prostitute, but today she is emerging as a powerful figure, increasingly regarded as an important apostle, a teacher in her own right, and to some, the true spiritual heir of the Savior.
For more about Mary Magdalen:

Jesus, Mary, and Da Vinci?
Mary Magdalene links, images, and resources.

Scientology's Tragedies

Saturday July 19, 2008
One of the most persistent criticisms of Scientology are for its stance on mental health, especially the doctrine that psychiatric medicine- especially the buse of psychotropic drugs- is an evil influence to be avoided at all costs. So, like the Christian organizations who eschew medical doctors in favor of prayer, Scientologists are faced with tough decisions when faced with illnesses for which the church insists Scientogy is the only acceptable solution. As a result, adherents (and their families) faced with mental illnesses attempt a religious rather than medical cure, often with disastrous results.

The tragic case of Jeremy Perkins, a schizophrenic who stabbed his mother to death after , is often cited by critics of Scientology, who claim such tragedies are inevitable in a faith that refuses to compromise with modern medicine- and it seems they are correct, after a near identical incident in Australia last week, wherein a 15-year old schizophrenic is accused of fatally stabbing her father and sister and gravely injuring her mother after being similarly refused treatment.

Explore Alternative Religions

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Religion & Spirituality
  3. Alternative Religions

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.