29 April 2006

Zed the Moonie! (and other tales of disclosure or otherwise)

| johnboy
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Over at the Canberra Times Markus Mannheim has done very well in finding oddities in the register of Legislative Assembly member’s pecuniary interests.

While Richard Mulcahy’s high-rolling Las Vegas ways are a source of amusement it’s Zed Seselja who’s taking the cake.

The Opposition’s planning spokesman Zed Seselja was the only other MLA to have declared gifts since the election, noting that he had been a guest of a Universal Peace Federation conference in South Korea last year.

The federation is part of a movement founded by the controversial cult leader, the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, whose followers believe he is a Messiah. It paid for Mr Seselja’s travel and attendance, and gave him a watch and a gold tea set of unspecified value

Perhaps Zed should put his gold tea set on display in CMAG as it sounds quite magnificent? Perhaps he can also tell us how long he was in the care of the brain-washing moonies?

And perhaps ALL the other MLA’s can tell us if they really have received no gifts at all worth more than $250 since the last election?

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Talk to anyone who has lost someone into the arms of the “moonies” and you will have some understanding of the difference between cults (and this one in particular) and organised religion.

Some buttons have been well and truly pushed here. I’ll file it away for later

What has been with the recent accusations that the RA is banning people for telling it differently? Have I missed something or is this more freakish paranoia rearing it’s ugly head?

Kimba you/re entitled to your opinion but you are doing an awful lot of blow-assing for not much effect. It seems you are trying to take jb’s position as a declaration of war. He is just as entitled to not like freaks like moonies and scientologists as you are to defend them – although it does defy logic how you can defend any organisation that asks it members to sever all ties with the real world upon joining.

Perhaps there are some analogies to be drawn to catholicism, islam or buddhism – but for the purpose of this argument these other religions don’t ask you to sign over the deed to your house in order to join them on their quest for bliss.

Personally I think Zed can do as he pleases – at least he’s honest enough to declare it.

Wonder if Deb’s weekly rent subsidy could have classified as a gift?

This argument/Discussion has nothing on me talking to a JW I work with.

Normally a nice guy good to work with but if the subject turns to religion look out, almost an hour it went round in circles covering topics like His right not to vote because of his religion, then I would fire back it is because of our democratic system he had that right, he would come out and say that Homosexuality was bad, but then I would say the government protects the freedom of choice, the same freedom that allows you religion… I think the point I had was lost…

Kimba you are entitled to your own opinion, but doesn’t make your opinion correct.

Organised Religion is for losers any way, I’m not saying that you can’t believe in stuff, but if those beliefs start effecting my life (JWs, right for lifers, etc) the do not fear the wrath of God fear the wrath of ME!!!

noper, this one’s clear.

Why do I have a feeling I missed a post?
JB are you deleting comments again?

Yes down tools before I am also banned from the room because I dare to disagree.

I love how the great warriors against relativism suddenly fall back on it when they need to defend one of their own.

“ooh all religions are relatively the same” they squeal.

No. They are not. Some are better than others.

Form your own judgment as to which is which, but don’t try and pass off that they’re all much the same.

My opinion is that the two in question stink.

You’re just getting upset that your own boy is linked to one.

The funny thing is that if the negative perception was not widespread then you wouldn’t be upset. And yet somehow it’s me and the CT to blame for your discomfort.

down tools – let’s all sing ‘Koom-byeya-me-lord’!!

Hitler and Stalin and others of this ilk also persecuted those who they didn’t like or who they perceived as being different.

I’m really looking forward to your defence of pedophillia.

Again you’re either too stupid, or too malign, to acknowledge the difference between soliciting voluntary contribution and preying on the weak.

Like all thinking beings I have to form moral judgments (possibly unlike Liberal fanboys) the basis of my experience is that Scientology is a very bad thing that needs to be opposed, and like radical islam and the oppression of the weak, should not be simply tolerated.

You’re welcome to your own opinions (although not necessarily on my website) but I’m going to keep voicing mine ’til you kick down my door.

BTW see Godwin’s Law you moron.

OK johnboy is right, I am wrong.

The Mormons and Seventh Day Adventist are ok because johnboy doesn’t have a problem with them but the Moonies and Scientologist are evil because johnboy doesn’t tolerate them.

Hitler and Stalin and others of this ilk also persecuted those who they didn’t like or who they perceived as being different.

Of course mainstream religion still persecutes the Mormons and Seventh Day Adventists.

Mormons and the Seventh Day Adventists also, I gather like the Moonies and Scientologist, have ‘strange’ philosophies and also tithe money from their followers.

Que sera, sera!

Wow, really digging into the rhetorical bag of dirty tricks.

It’s about the Liberal party because the story is about a Liberal MLA spending time under the control of a foreign group famous for their indoctrination techniques. (how quickly you forget when it’s convenient)

Mormons and seventh day adventists don’t have a malign influence on their converts so I really don’t care. Hell I’ll admit Mormons seem to have found a real formula for human happiness and it’s just a shame i’d have to give up the grog to become one.

Scientologists and moonies do, so it’s an issue.

I know a hell of a lot of people from minority faiths and generally i’m happy to live and let live.

It’s the predators that get my hackles up. The predators you’re defending.

One day I would love to find out why those who love to most portrait themselves as being liberal minded are usually the most small-minded when it comes to people and groups that they don’t like or support.

I am not sure what this discussion has to do with the Liberal Party I wouldn’t give a flying Kangaroo if Lundy or even Stanhope when to a Scientology or Moonie conference or event.

I personally don’t have much knowledge of the Scientologist but I was good friends with a Mooonie couple in the late 80’s and I do currently have friends who are, wait for it, Mormons (johnboy will be frothing at the mouth). My best friend at school was a Seventh Day Adventist.

None of these people were ‘brainwashed’ or ever attempted to push their beliefs on me.

Perhaps if johnboy and others made an attempt to get to know some of these people he wouldn’t have such a bigoted view.

For the record I’m a brainwashed Catholic who now believes more in God then any Church.

There’s a difference between passing the plate and looting bank accounts.

Nice to see there’s nothing so vile you won’t leap to it’s defence in the service of the Liberal Party.

In my opinion Scientologists are evil bastards that should be decried and reviled at every turn and Moonies aren’t much better.

You’re either grossly ignorant of the issues, or a member of one of those churches.

Because the informed opinion of non-members of these churches is uniformly dim.

What sanctimonious crap. And of course the Catholics, Muslims, Happy Clappies and Protestants aren’t so-called brain washing and aren’t predatory bastards of their adherents and of course would never swell their own coffers LOL Wake up Jeff!!!

Talking of swelling their own coffers I see the mick’s are having a Tribute Dinner for Francis Carroll at $150 a pop in the Great Hall. I wonder how many of adherents will be able to afford that pleasure.

…and I’m aware that should have been “site”.

No way Mael – keep it live on the sight. Don’t keep the flaming to yourself. I need the odd laugh…

crazychester, read the FAQ. It gives you guidelines on what will get published and what won’t. If all else fails, read the comment from Che regarding get your own damn website in the tagline.

JB, I reckon Thumper, Bulldog, Ss(s)anta and I could be the loony affairs working group, although we’d probably just as much directly flame them back via email and report the highlights ;P

If a regular reader is willing to take up the mantle of “head of loony affairs” we might consider forwarding their stuff, but they’d dispute the classification and it’s not worth the grief.

Why are newspapers like the Canberra Times, and obviously some people in this room, so intolerant when it comes to alternative views?

In both cases they are predatory bastards who destroy the lives of their adherents to swell their own coffers.

And in both cases they have a track record of effective use of mind-washing techniques.

It’s not that hard to tell the difference between a faith and a cult.

Yeah johnboy…not fair – what is this all about (crazychester)? 🙂

Last week it was the Scientologists, this week it’s the Moonies turn.

Why are newspapers like the Canberra Times, and obviously some people in this room, so intolerant when it comes to alternative views? It’s ironical that these are the same people who like to think they are so ‘liberal’ minded.

Big deal if Zed ‘instead’ went to a conference sponsored by the Moonies. Politicians, academics, businessmen, doctors, teachers bla bla bla are constantly attending conferences organised by a broad range of groups.

Don’t worry Maria (good Catholic name) I am sure Zed hasn’t been ‘brainwashed’ and is still a good Catholic boy LOL

Its a good article from Mannheim – what is zed doing hanging out with the Moonies and how does he reconcile that with his own faith? the Moonies throw their political weight around in the US – we don’t want to see it happen here.

maybe if you had any substance to your story it might be interesting.

two further things:

1) It’s saturday, we don’t stand around waiting for loonies to submit their rants so we can publish them. Some patience might be in order in any event.

2) This is offtopic, you’ve been warned, further comments will be deleted.

crazychester5:01 pm 29 Apr 06

Sorry to intrude but is there a way to get something published on this site or is it rigged like everything else in this town?

Maybe the lack of $250+ gifts is indicative that the friends and family of L.A. Members hold them in the same level of esteem as the rest of the community.

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