What’s This Religion Business? (Excerpt from One of the Few)

An excerpt from One of the Few. Pre-order today, buy a book for the troops, and help me reach my funding goal by March 22nd!

During a trip to Florida, I took a detour through the town of Clearwater, the Mecca of Scientology. After walking one lap around the deserted streets surrounding the Super Power Building, I had a clear case of the heeby-jeebies. Author Janet Reitman spent five years compiling information to write the most extensive, objective modern history of Scientology to date. She described L. Ron Hubbard, founder of one of the most litigious religious organization in the world, as “the Madame Blavatsky of 1950.”

Scientology is a religion whose Messiah offered not only healing, but mental and spiritual upgrades as well. Like a fantasy role playing game, you trade your currency for tools and experience in order to level-up. Science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard understood the power of manipulation and the profit in gullibility. The keepers of Scientology reportedly only share their secret theology with the elite (though it is readily available on the Internet), and most services come with a fee.

Later that year, I had the opportunity to speak with a Scientologist manning a small booth outside the local WalMart, sporting the trademark E-meter and stack of books. This individual, whom I’ll call Rod, became a Scientologist in the 1970s.

I spoke with him for about thirty minutes, asking honest questions, and divulging my Christian faith in the process. Rod was very proud of their state-of-the-art facilities. He bragged how people plan on coming in for ten minutes and stay there for five hours—even “forgetting to pick up little Suzie from school!” When I asked him what you had to believe to be a Scientologist and how it works, he replied, “It works because it works! It has nothing to do with belief. Scientology is beyond belief.”

I couldn’t argue with his last point.  (Read more . . .)

What Happens in Bangkok (Excerpt from One of the Few)

An excerpt from One of the Few. Pre-order today, buy a book for the troops, and help me reach my funding goal by March 22nd!

It was Friday night in Bangkok, and we were ready to cut loose after an intense week of flying exercises with the Royal Thai Air Force. Unfamiliar smells came in waves as we maneuvered the crowded street to find the next meeting place. I passed by vendors offering baskets of fried crickets, grasshoppers, and water beetles. There was commotion up ahead; something caused the crowd to swell in our direction. The crowd thinned to reveal a baby elephant prodded along by a young boy. Solicitations from both flanks stole my attention.

“Muhtaaazsh . . . Muhtaaazsh?” women called out from barstools with rising inflection. Scantily clad in shorts and spaghetti straps, their twangy voices reverberated in my ears. At first we had difficulty understanding their offer for a massage. In this district, there was a good chance you could choose your own ending. Unacknowledged, the calling waned; if I looked in their direction, it continued. More women chimed in if I made eye contact. We were quickly desensitized to the unceasing propositions and pressed on.

We were in the devil’s lair running a spiritual gauntlet. Buzzing neon lights captured glazy-eyed tourists and drew them toward music, liquor, and titillating shows. A mother strolled her baby down an alley filled with brothels. Voluptuous signage pulled like a tractor beam and storefront greeters beckoned to break my will. There were two battles raging to avoid sexual immorality: in the body and in the mind. (Read more . . . )

Game of War and War as Game

“Do you wanna come and play?” asks Kate Upton to promote Game of War in one of the most talked-about Super Bowl ads this year. She’s sporting the garb of Game of Thrones, but this is no HBO series. It’s not a movie either.

It’s a video game.

Upton’s enlistment brings glamour to the otherwise gloomy reality of war. You can’t swipe a screen without catching a glimpse of Kate calling you forth to play with her. The idea of lending some sexed-up branding to a product targeting male consumers is unremarkable.

But there’s something troubling about spending 40-million dollars to brand a war-game in light of another group’s recent branding efforts. (Read more . . .)

Pre-Orders Open for My New Book One of the Few

I’m excited to let you know that I am now accepting pre-orders for my new book One of the Few: A Marine Fighter Pilot’s Reconnaissance of the Christian Worldview

I’m doing this through a crowdfunding campaign on Publishizer.com. You wouldn’t believe some of the collaborators who are coming aboard. This project is seriously taking flight!

But in order for me to get the Word out, I need your help.

Pre-order HERE!

Here’s how it works: I’ve made several package options available ranging from the e-book only, to signed softcover packages, to the exclusive 4-Star package suitable for a large church or organization.

I’ve set a funding goal of $7,500. If I meet the goal, I will be able to make the finishing touches to give you the best possible product–literally, a work of art.

The project goes forward and everybody wins.

If I fail to hit my target goal in 55 days, everyone is refunded their payment, and it’s back to the drawing board.

I’m confident that this book will find itself in exactly the hands it was meant for.

But I can’t do it alone.

You can help by doing these two things:

1. Pre-order a copy. The e-book starts at $12 dollars.
2. Get the Word out by sharing this post with your family and friends!

Pre-order HERE!

Click HERE to share on Twitter

I hope to have One of the Few in your hands and on your screens by this November.

Thank you for your readership and for your help making this a reality.

Very respectfully,

Jason B. Ladd