Honor thy Mother and Father

	fn2 If you've heard the old adage "Honour Thy Father and Mother" you probably know that it comes from the Hebrew Bible (sometimes called "The Old Testament.") Actually, it is also one of the Ten Commandments. Jews and Protestants generally regard it as the 5th commandment (Exodus 20:1–21, and in Deuteronomy 5:1–23) though in Catholic theology this is the 4th commandment.   An interesting article in support of the concept of honoring one's parents was published in 1981 in a booklet called "The Way to Happiness."   You can read the whole section below but it ends with this precept: The way to happiness includes being on good terms with one’s parents or those who brought one up. This booklet, "The Way to Happiness", which was published in 1981, is one of the last things written by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. Hubbard passed away a mere 5 years later on Jan 4, 1986 and there were no other major articles or books published by him after 1981. One could surmise that opinions expressed in "The Way to Happiness" represent his most mature and educated view on the matters discussed. The Church of Scientology has even set up an associated non-profit to promote and distribute the booklet fn1. There is even a special technical counseling service (auditing) called "The Happiness Rundown" based on the material in the booklet offered as a service to members of the Church. They also produced some very high quality videos demonstrating examples of how the different precepts in the book would apply in life which are featured on "The Way to Happiness" website. Here's the one concerning Honor and Help Your Parents (link).    The booklet is promoted as "A Non-Religious Personal Moral Code Of Ethics To Restore Common Decency And Address Issues Of Ethical Behavior."     Unfortunately, the management of the Church of Scientology doesn't consider that "The Way to Happiness" applies to their own members. Nope. If a member of the Church talks to or has any relationship with a former member who has been expelled, then that member is expelled too.   If you want to get kicked out, just communicate with someone who has already been kicked out. Really, that's basically what it's about.  So if your parents are expelled and you want to stay in the Church and continue to talk, work, play, learn or associate with other Church members, you have to break all ties with them. Right now that's the way it is. It's called "DISCONNECTION."     "The Way to Happiness" booklet doesn't limit application of the precept "Honor and Help Your Parents" to minors; you don't just honor and help your parents while you're a teenager, it's something you should practice your whole life. Read the precept, here it is, from L. Ron Hubbard's "The Way to Happiness": 5. HONOR AND HELP YOUR PARENTS. From a child’s point of view, parents are sometimes hard to understand. There are differences between generations. But truthfully, this is no barrier. When one is weak, it is a temptation to take refuge in subterfuges and lies: it is this which builds the wall. Children can reconcile their differences with their parents. Before any shouting begins, one can at least try to talk it over quietly. If the child is frank and honest, there cannot help but be an appeal that will reach. It is often possible to attain a compromise where both sides now understand and can agree. It is not always easy to get along with others but one should try. One cannot overlook the fact that almost always, parents are acting from a very strong desire to do what they believe to be best for the child. Children are indebted to their parents for their upbringing—if the parents did so. While some parents are so fiercely independent that they will accept no return on the obligation, it is nevertheless true that there often comes a time when it is the turn of the younger generation to care for their parents. In spite of all, one must remember that they are the only parents one has. And as such, no matter what, one should honor them and help them. The way to happiness includes being on good terms with one’s parents or those who brought one up. Unfortunately, the Church of Scientology Management has not come around to applying this principle to its own parishioners and continues to practice religious shunning to oppress and intimidate it's members, all in the name of preserving the purity of its doctrine. It seems remarkable that the Church can overlook the last two lines of this precept which they are making such an effort to promote. Footnotes: The Way to Happiness Foundation International is a non-profit 501(c)(3),[2] incorporated in 1984.[3] Headquartered at 201 East Broadway, Glendale, California, the foundation coordinates the activities of the Way to Happiness international network, including continental and national offices, associates and local groups.[4] The Way to Happiness Foundation International is a division of the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), and is a "Scientology-related entity" under the 1993 IRS Closing Agreement.[5]  Source: Matthew 18:15-17   ( taken from Wikipedia article) Willie and Phil Jones, who have been expelled from the Church of Scientology, have created a website, STOP SCIENTOLOGY DISCONNECTION and set up a billboard in Los Angeles trying to re-connect with their adult children Mike and Emily who are still in Church.