Summum Church

Summum is a modern religion that combines Gnostic Christianity, Buddhism, Ancient Egyptian rituals and science fiction concepts into an eclectic new age doctrine that seeks, according to its mission statement, to "turn you into an Overcomer." The church was founded by the American Claude Nowell, who claims to have encountered and been inspired by "Summa Individuals," who shared with him "wisdom" and "experience."Official Site: Summum

On November 12, 2008, The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case on the church's request to place a monument near a ten commandments plaque in a public park.The New York Times: From Tiny Sect, Weighty Issue for Justices (November 10, 2008)

Mummification of humans and animals is one of the main religious practices of the Summum church. The process, known as "modern mummification," includes removal, cleansing and placing back of the internal organs, oiling of the body with lotions and solutions and covering it with various materials. The body is then placed into a "bronze or stainless steel mummiform," which is filled with resin to protect the mummy. According to the church's website, the procedure was featured on BBC, the Discovery Channel, The National Geographic Explorer and other shows and networks.Official Site: Summum