Scientific Hoaxes

The icy winter months are now upon us here in Philadelphia, despite the lengthening days since we marked the winter solstice. There is a lag time between the astronomical event and improvement in the weather. We can look forward to the eventual change of the seasons and the Spring Equinox.

If you haven't visited our forums lately you might be interested in the wide variety of discussions now going on. Also many will be happy to hear that the Opt-in Directory has been updated. This voluntary listing of Spiritual Humanist Clergy can be found at directory.

IN THE NEWS

Cloning claim may be latest scientific hoax to captivate public

By Bob LaMendola and Nancy McVicar January 7 2003
If the Raelian babies turn out not to be clones, it would be the latest in a long tradition of medicine and science hoaxes.

From the Piltdown man, to a Chicago physicist cloning himself, to bananas carrying flesh-eating bacteria, outlandish medicine and science claims have proven irresistible to the public and the news media for centuries.
The number of phony claims has jumped because of the Internet, said people who track hoaxes. Previously, hoaxsters had to get on the news to gain wide attention, but now they can build a Web site and send out a bunch of e-mails.

see full story at http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-rxhoax07jan07,0,7722079.story?coll=sfla-news-sfla

EDITORS NOTE:

In less skeptical times when the importance of scientific verification was not understood, claims like this may have been accepted at face value. The other claims of the Raelians, and indeed all religions, should be looked at just as skeptically. Unless there is scientifically verifiable proof of something we should not accept it as a reality.

Human cloning technology has many valid medical uses that will reduce human suffering for millions of people. However because of the probable health risk to the clone it is not yet ethically acceptable to create a clone of a human. When this technology matures we will have to re-evaluate the morality of such actions.

READERS WRITE IN

If you have question feel free to email me at info ( at ) spiritual humanism.org
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Dear sir or ma'am
I just wanted to say that I am excited about this new opportunity to become a clergyperson the church. Anyway I just have a few questions.
I know that I am a clergyman. However how do I not know this is some sort of scam? I am thinking about purchasing some clergy packages for myself, but how do I know that I will get these items.

Take care
Tristan

The Church of Spiritual Humanism is organized and incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania as a non-profit religious church. We have ordained over 11,000 people free of charge. We ship all clergy packs with in two weeks of receiving your order. If you order by PayPal it should take approximately 10 days from when you order until when you receive your package. Please feel free to check our Seller Reputation rating on PayPal - which is currently at 144 meaning 144 verified users of PayPal (and many times more unverified users) have successfully received their orders from us.

CONCLUSION

As always Clergy Packages are available in our online shop. The Ordination Certificates are printed on acid free paper for extra long life, and Clergy Wallet ID Cards are nice to have. Our book, The Officiant's Manual includes information on performing religious ceremonies as well as marriage laws for all 50 states, sample ceremonies, etc. The fees charged for these packs are our only income and help defer the cost of the web site, advertising, PO Box, and incorporation fees.

RA Zorger
President, The Church of Spiritual Humanism

News
There is no god, church billboard proclaims
Thu, 01 Sep 2011
While the local Mid Ohio Atheists group thinks the billboard promotes their own message, some confused Christians have complained. The purpose of the billboard was to make people think more about their beliefs and promote the church's website.

Osama Bin Laden Is Dead, Time To Bring Home the Troops
Mon, 02 May 2011
He is gone and that’s a good thing. Now it is time for America to get our house in order. It is time to end the wars and occupation that Bin Laden provoked. His goal was to pull us in to conflict with all of the Muslim world so that they might unite under his banner to battle against us. In this he failed. We have prevailed and now it is time for us to move on to face even greater threats and challenges.

Happy Spring Equinox
Sun, 20 Mar 2011
The Spring Equinox is today March 20th 2011. Also known as the Vernal Equinox, the official start of spring occurs today at 7:21 pm Eastern Daylight Time. If you are interested in the spiritual aspects of the natural event take a look at my Spiritual Equinox 2011 celebration post.

Spring Equinox 2011
Mon, 14 Mar 2011
Each season has its own flavor, and atmosphere. The essential nature of spring is hope. Even though the whole of winter's bluster has not entirely faded, there is a change in the air. The days have slowly been growing longer to noticeable degree. There are no fruits in vegetables coming in for harvest but the crocus has sprouted and come into bloom.