The Opium of the Masses

[nmg]

It seems that Jerry Falwell shuffled off this mortal coil earlier today. While I generally feel that it's morally questionable to express satisfaction in the death of another person, I can't help but feel that humanity is enriched by his absence, albeit until the next reactionary right-wing loon steps into his shoes. I also feel it's a shame that, being dead, he won't get to find out that there is neither heaven nor hell after this life.

On a related topic, I'm surprised at the complete silence from my friends list regarding last night's Panorama on those wacky Scientologists (almost as surprised as I was at the Scientologists' complete lack of PR nous, but that's another matter). Is this the silence of a thousand nodding heads, or did none of you watch it?

Comments

[nmg.livejournal.com]

If anything, John Sweeney losing it helps his side; his Scientologist nemesis was behaving appallingly by talking over Sweeney.

This is what I mean about no PR nous. The celebrities could have been briefed to give bland non-committal answers to the cult question ("some people do say that, but the Catholic Church also has its critics", for example). Instead, they clammed up and withdrew permission for the footage to be used, which looks pretty dreadful.

Testimonials from lowly rank-and-file members would also have looked better than their collection of star-studded million-dollar OT VIIs, and their tailing and rebuttal actions seem awfully aggressive for an organisation that claims to have nothing to hide. If they're trying to get broader acceptance as a bona fide religion, they're going the wrong way about it (but as you say, this isn't the least bit surprising).