NationStates Jolt Archive

I accidentally insulted a scientologist today.

A guy next to me in my political ideologies class had printed out a transcript of the court case, Church of Scientology V. Time Magazine, over their front-page article, "Scientology: The Cult of Greed?"

And he was discussing how Time Magazine's article was bullshit, and that scientology really was a religion.

Now... I thought he was a Christian, because he was carrying a New Testament the other day. And I'd never met a scientologist. It's not like they have horns growing out of their heads to identify them as such.

So anyway, I turned to him and I told him why it wasn't a real religion, but a cult, such as how scientology declares themselves a philosophy (not a religion) in Greece, in order to get tax benefits, and how their church was convicted of breaking into government offices in Canada.

And he asked, "Have you ever read any of L. Ron Hubbard's works? Because I think they're very religious..."

I mentioned the machine and mocked the story about aliens destroying our planet, and also mentioned how they charge insane prices for their services. He said that the alien story was such a "Side thing of Hubbard's" and also explained how the machine works, first, saying that it doesn't do anything, but then contradicting himself by saying it focuses energy or something.

Then, I told him that the Wikipedia article on scientology has links to defenders and critics of it and that he should read both to get a broader perspective. He replied with the statement that anyone can edit Wikipedia, and I, of course, had to explain why certain pages on Wikipedia (such as on Scientology) will not be nonsense due to the fact that so many people view them.

After that, a few seconds went by and it suddenly dawned on me -- this guy is a scientologist and I just called his religion a ridiculous cult, in several ways. It felt awkward, so I said, "I'm sorry for calling your religion a cult. I didn't mean it," accidentally, just because I'm so used to saying it conventionally. Truthfully, I wasn't sorry at all and scientology is a cult, but I'm glad I said that because I know that if I was to sit next to this guy, it would be awkward.

He replied, "I'm not really a scientologist. I mean, I don't consider myself that. I just study it and like it."

I'm gonna try and see if I can move to a different seat, but even then, it's going to seem like I'm avoiding him, which, once again, would seem awkward.

Fuck, man. Haha. What should I do?!

Hey, is there any religious taboo that might scare a scientologist away? You know, make HIM move away from ME?!

Like in Christianity... If there was an annoying, fundie Christian that sat next to me and prayed at the top of her lungs before every class... All I'd have to say is that I'm a Satanist, and she'd move.

What? With scientology, couldn't I... like... say that I worship the alien, Xenu? Or better yet. Wait, wait.. I could design a hat out of tinfoil, follow him after class, then put the tinfoil hat on and blink as fast as I can, while walking slowly towards him, saying, "NING-NING-NING-NING-NING, I AM A SERVANT OF THE ALIEN, XENU. NING-NING-NING-NING."

That would work, wouldn't it? He'd fucking outright drop the class.

why are you worrying so muhc?

so you told him that you think the thing he believes in is slightly rdiculous. well, everyone's entitled to their opinion. as long as you didn't insult him personally..

I'd say hope that Tom Cruise doesn't show up at your class.

1) Retain a good lawyer. Scientologists like to sue their critics repeatedly in order to make them go bankrupt from paying legal fees.

2) Get good locks on your windows and doors plus a quality alarm system. Scientologists have been known to break into their enemies' homes to get "dirt" on them.

3) Buy a weapon, learn how to use it, carry it. Just in case.

Or you could ignore it. The cult's most likely not going to come after you since you're not in the media or politics.

Hey, is there any religious taboo that might scare a scientologist away? You know, make HIM move away from ME?!

Like in Christianity... If there was an annoying, fundie Christian that sat next to me and prayed at the top of her lungs before every class... All I'd have to say is that I'm a Satanist, and she'd move.

What? With scientology, couldn't I... like... say that I worship the alien, Xenu? Or better yet. Wait, wait.. I could design a hat out of tinfoil, follow him after class, then put the tinfoil hat on and blink as fast as I can, while walking slowly towards him, saying, "NING-NING-NING-NING-NING, I AM A SERVANT OF THE ALIEN, XENU. NING-NING-NING-NING."

That would work, wouldn't it? He'd fucking outright drop the class.

yeah, that's a totally cool options. you'd never have to worry about anyone yo don't like wanting to si tnext to you. in fact, you'd probably never having to worry about anyone wanting to sit next to you anytime soon anymore.

It is a bloody cult. I mean, c'mon. It was started by a scifi author (I like his work, but it's certaintly not religious)..Doesn't seem to be divine inspiration there. Really, I'd not worry. You're entitled to your opinions and beliefs, he to his. If the two happen to clash..So be it, the world's like that.

why are you worrying so muhc?

so you told him that you think the thing he believes in is slightly rdiculous. well, everyone's entitled to their opinion. as long as you didn't insult him personally..
BECAUSE. It's his RELIGION.

Religions are very important and dear to people. Imagine talking with a person about Christianity, saying, "Yeah, haha, Jesus deserved to be crucified," then realizing they're a Christian. Imagine saying that Jews are going to hell for not believing in Jesus, then realizing the person you're talking to is a Jew. Or the same for Muslims... Or imagine making fun of Hinduism's cow-worship, then realizing the person you're talking with is a Hindu.

It makes perfect sense. You wouldn't do that if you knew who they were.

Wait, wait.. I could design a hat out of tinfoil, follow him after class, then put the tinfoil hat on and blink as fast as I can, while walking slowly towards him, saying, "NING-NING-NING-NING-NING, I AM A SERVANT OF THE ALIEN, XENU. NING-NING-NING-NING."


PLEASE PLEASE DO THAT! Video it and post it up here!
:p :p :p

What are you worried about?

That John Travolta will come and kick your ass?

That Kirsty Alley will come and sit on you?

That he will try and convert you?

Or that he might succeed?



Under similar circumstances I'd probably just refuse to discuss the subject further with him if he tries to continue the conversation. I mean, why bother?

PLEASE PLEASE DO THAT! Video it and post it up here!
:p :p :p
Are you kidding me?!?

The Church of Scientology would sue the fuck out of me!

I'd have to convert to Judaism, to fend off their barrage of legal attacks.

Hey, you already gave your fake apology.

Leave it at that, until he comes to class trying to get you to take one of their tests about your "reactive mind".

Then, remind him that anyone who learns about the Xenu story before they have made it to "clear" will die of pneumonia, and since he has already heard the story...

When discussing any religion with someone, the best way to avoid offense and confrontation is to assume a non-dualistic stance. If one accepts their idea as part of a larger context, the only way that they can disagree with you is to disagree with themselves. In that manner, discussions can be a productive way to broaden understanding instead of devolving into a pissing contest.

squirt an unbroken circle of brown mustard around your home, and write the Gettysburg Address on a peice of paper, burn it and sprinkle the ashes on the floor by your bathtub. That should protect you from his mystical powers.

no, i would probably not make jokes about any religion if i knew the perosn in front of my belongs to that religion.
but i wouldn't hesitate to point out things i find disturbing/illogical about a religion speaking to a person of that belief. i don't avoid critical conversations..

there's a difference between INsulting and CRiticising.

(and you don't REALLy think tha anybody, least not the scientology church, is gonna sue you for putting on a stupid hat and making retard noises? get off it, hun, the world's neither rotating around you nor is it gonna crahs because you said something you wouldn't have said under different circumstances to a scientologist).

Tell him, "you're a cultist and you scare the shit out of me." Then don't move.

Tell him, "you're a cultist and you scare the shit out of me." Then don't move.

Heh, there you go. The fact that celebrities follow it already proves its a joke.

Guess I had better go buy alot of ammo for when the scientologists attempt to storm my place... :mp5:

Heh, there you go. The fact that celebrities follow it already proves its a joke.

Guess I had better go buy alot of ammo for when the scientologists attempt to storm my place... :mp5:


I'm not too worried. I've a feeling that the Jehova Witnesses already alerted the Scientoligists that I'm a clear and present danger and not to approach me or my home.

I'm not too worried. I've a feeling that the Jehova Witnesses already alerted the Scientoligists that I'm a clear and present danger and not to approach me or my home.

I have only had the JW's appoach my place once. It sucked as I was trying to bring a case ammo into my place. That stuff is bad enough lugging in the house, let alone being held up for a few minutes listening to listen to thier crap.

Run for your life, lad. Those Scientologists are evil grudge-bearing motherfuckers.

Your fucked. They have psychic powers.

Be more careful next time and make sure that you delibrately insult them in future. That's what I do.

Hubbard (that is the founder of scientology, right?) once published an article or book or something theorizing that the fastest way to get a lot of money is to start a religion

I have only had the JW's appoach my place once. It sucked as I was trying to bring a case ammo into my place. That stuff is bad enough lugging in the house, let alone being held up for a few minutes listening to listen to thier crap.


Thats great!! I hope you asked them to lend a brotherly hand.

I liked answering the door,while licking off my K-Bar.

i remember i was working with a scientoligist.no matter what i said he turned the conversation towards scientology.i remember he was talking to me(well i say to me,it was more at me as i was only nodding occasionaly)about the 'e-meter'.when i went home i looked up the e meter in a paranormal encylopedia(which he gave me actually) and it turns out its a galvonometer(An instrument used to detect, measure, and determine the direction of small electric currents by means of mechanical effects produced by a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field)oh how i enjoyed telling him this the next day

I accidentally insulted a scientologist today.

A guy next to me in my political ideologies class had printed out a transcript of the court case, Church of Scientology V. Time Magazine, over their front-page article, "Scientology: The Cult of Greed?"

And he was discussing how Time Magazine's article was bullshit, and that scientology really was a religion.

Now... I thought he was a Christian, because he was carrying a New Testament the other day. And I'd never met a scientologist. It's not like they have horns growing out of their heads to identify them as such.

So anyway, I turned to him and I told him why it wasn't a real religion, but a cult, such as how scientology declares themselves a philosophy (not a religion) in Greece, in order to get tax benefits, and how their church was convicted of breaking into government offices in Canada.

And he asked, "Have you ever read any of L. Ron Hubbard's works? Because I think they're very religious..."

I mentioned the machine and mocked the story about aliens destroying our planet, and also mentioned how they charge insane prices for their services. He said that the alien story was such a "Side thing of Hubbard's" and also explained how the machine works, first, saying that it doesn't do anything, but then contradicting himself by saying it focuses energy or something.

Then, I told him that the Wikipedia article on scientology has links to defenders and critics of it and that he should read both to get a broader perspective. He replied with the statement that anyone can edit Wikipedia, and I, of course, had to explain why certain pages on Wikipedia (such as on Scientology) will not be nonsense due to the fact that so many people view them.

After that, a few seconds went by and it suddenly dawned on me -- this guy is a scientologist and I just called his religion a ridiculous cult, in several ways. It felt awkward, so I said, "I'm sorry for calling your religion a cult. I didn't mean it," accidentally, just because I'm so used to saying it conventionally. Truthfully, I wasn't sorry at all and scientology is a cult, but I'm glad I said that because I know that if I was to sit next to this guy, it would be awkward.

He replied, "I'm not really a scientologist. I mean, I don't consider myself that. I just study it and like it."

I'm gonna try and see if I can move to a different seat, but even then, it's going to seem like I'm avoiding him, which, once again, would seem awkward.

Fuck, man. Haha. What should I do?!You apologized and, by what you said here, you presented your arguments well and without heated emotions. if you don't feel comfortable sitting there, then move. However, I have a feeling that if you continue to sit next to him and you don't bring the subject back up, (Unless you really want to discuss Scientology) he won't think less of you.

I'd just refuse to discuss it further. You've made your point, so why press on? Ignore him when he wants to talk about it, and he'll get the hint.

Just don't bring it up again and be polite. Why do you people need instructions from strangers on the ground-floor basics of human interaction?

Also, maybe you should take a lesson from all of this: not every stranger needs to hear all of your opinions. That's what the internet is for.

Saying scientology is a cult is like saying the sky is blue. You have nothing to be ashamed about.

Forget him. He's eventually going to sign away his life for 3000 years doing slave labor for the Church of Scientology in California or something.

Well, it's always a bad thing to accidentally insult someone. But now that you know he's a Scientologist, next time you can insult him deliberately.

If this guy is so far into Scientology that he can't accept that others are going to ridicule his beliefs, he's got a problem. He should have realized when he joined that Scientology is way out of the mainstream, and non-mainstream beliefs are always going to be ridiculed by someone. However (and I can't stress this strongly enough): Ridicule is not persecution. He has a right to believe as he sees fit, and you have the right to have your own opinion of his beliefs.

So stick to your guns, and your seat. If he doesn't like you, he can move.

:rolleyes:

"I accidentally insulted a scientologist! What should I do?!"

Kill yourself ... now! It'll be less painful. ;)

being a religion indicates that a certain amount of the population believe in it if not it can be a cult, a sect, or other

for example in britain lots of people on the cencous (I can't spell) put down jedi under religion, they were only like 10,000 people from religion status

being a religion indicates that a certain amount of the population believe in it if not it can be a cult, a sect, or other

for example in britain lots of people on the cencous (I can't spell) put down jedi under religion, they were only like 10,000 people from religion status
Wrong, in two ways:

#1. Cults are defined differently in two ways. One way is the idea that cults are just "radical religions." Christianity, in its early history, was considered a Jewish cult by the Romans. In this way, just because something is referred to as a cult (such as David Koresh's Branch Davidians) does not actually mean they aren't a religion.

However, another way of defining a cult is by whether its followers, leaders, and founders are motivated by religious reasons or not. It's poignantly obvious that L. Ron Hubbard and the leaders of scientology are interested in profit. Therefore, even though they're technically called a cult and they do have sincere believers, these people are morons, and it isn't a religion.

#2. Jediism, is oddly enough, a religion. George Lucas, a Buddhist, created the Jedi by drawing from Buddhism, Taoism, and several different religions. And the other official and unofficial authors wrote more fiction about what Jedi believed and did.

Because Jedi was based on actual religions and there has been so much material on it, you can actually construct a detailed, legitimate religion which could be practiced in real-life from the movies and novels. Some Star Wars fans feel a certain connection to the viewpoints of the Jedi and the terminology that the Star Wars series uses...

There are also many, many websites with thousands of people who legitimately believe in Jediism. TheJedi.org (http://www.thejedi.org) is one of them. So, in short: It is a legitimate religion, because they're truly just Eastern mysticists, with their beliefs mixed with western culture and morality, and use Star Wars terminology.

When I'd first found thejedi.org site, I sincerely thought it was a cult too. And I'm not a Jedi (I'm a deist), and the people aren't insane, they don't do drugs or rape children (they don't even meet usually, outside of the internet), and they don't offer any services for money. All they do is discuss their beliefs with eachother.

I know about the British and Australian censuses. And I'm sure many of the people that wrote "Jedi" were just kidding. But a fair pluraliy were not. And those that identified themselves as "Jedi," religiously, existed years before the email that spawned that joke.

i went to baylor u for a year. some chick asked me if Catholicism was a Christian religion. iwaited for the punchline, and then realized she was serious. so i told her we worship the blood god kali, and annually sacrifice a person to her by dropping them into a pit of lava. needless to say, she was pissed at my sarcastic remark. the way i see it, screw 'em! you don't need to please everyone.

ps, they also didn't like my basketball jokes :sniper:

being a religion indicates that a certain amount of the population believe in it if not it can be a cult, a sect, or other

for example in britain lots of people on the cencous (I can't spell) put down jedi under religion, they were only like 10,000 people from religion status
putting jedi down on a census form will NOT make it an official religion (http://www.snopes.com/religion/jedi.htm)

give him a bottle of tylenol and tell him to get over it.

Ask him if he was offended.

Explain your reasons for having the position you do.

Have him explain where he thinks you're wrong.

If he gets violent, call a cop.

If you get violent, have a friend to call a cop.

Have a nice discussion..!!



Pretty simple solution to this little problem, really. :)

What are you worried about?

That John Travolta will come and kick your ass?

That Kirsty Alley will come and sit on you?



Isn't Katie Holmes converting to Scientology? Hmmmmm...
*ProMonkains considers an idea that would land him in hot water with the thought police*
:D

You're gonna get sued into bankruptcy. Seppuku is probably your best bet, that or fleeing the country. There are many religions or denominations that I disagree with, but Scientology is probably the only one that actually scares me.

the only option is to spend all of your money before they start sueing you.enjoy it before you spend it all on legal fees.then when they try and sue you,you go'hahaha ive no money,sue me all you want assholes'

putting jedi down on a census form will NOT make it an official religion (http://www.snopes.com/religion/jedi.htm)
The snopes article doesn't address whether it's a legitimate form of belief, but simply makes an obvious statement: The British government does not "officially" recognize any religion, except probably Anglican Christianity.

To reply to a few quotes:
"Mr. Struik said that a putative religion must demonstrate a formal organizational structure and a belief system to be recognized."
From the Star Wars series, such a formal organizational structure and belief system can be discerned.

Marking "Jedi" on a form doesn't make anyone a Jedi any more than writing "I can fly" will turn that person into a bird. Religious belief is a matter of what's in your heart, not what you jestingly inscribe on an official-looking piece of paper.
There are a number of individuals who do have such a belief in their heart, though they are, of course, a fairly small minority.

After that, a few seconds went by and it suddenly dawned on me -- this guy is a scientologist and I just called his religion a ridiculous cult, in several ways. It felt awkward, so I said, "I'm sorry for calling your religion a cult. I didn't mean it," accidentally, just because I'm so used to saying it conventionally. Truthfully, I wasn't sorry at all and scientology is a cult, but I'm glad I said that because I know that if I was to sit next to this guy, it would be awkward.

He replied, "I'm not really a scientologist. I mean, I don't consider myself that. I just study it and like it."

I'm gonna try and see if I can move to a different seat, but even then, it's going to seem like I'm avoiding him, which, once again, would seem awkward.

Fuck, man. Haha. What should I do?!



sounds like no hard feelings were ment

I was killing time before a bus a few weeks back and there was this scientologist tent outside City Hall. Ever curious I took a look inside. These people are BUTJOBS! RAVING FUCKING NUTJOBS! First of all they're all in jumpsuits and Nikes like they're ready to kill themselves and follow a comet.

Inside I was asking them questions and they responded by putting me on that machine thing and claiming to unlock my secrets. The problem was firstly I was lying, secondly I was manipulatin gthe results by pressing lighter or softer.

After that they sent me alone into what I can only assume was a brainwashing room, or a video annex. Either way it freaked the bajeebaz out of me.

Needless to say, I'm sticking to good old fashion Voodoo...

i remember i was working with a scientoligist.no matter what i said he turned the conversation towards scientology.i remember he was talking to me(well i say to me,it was more at me as i was only nodding occasionaly)about the 'e-meter'.when i went home i looked up the e meter in a paranormal encylopedia(which he gave me actually) and it turns out its a galvonometer(An instrument used to detect, measure, and determine the direction of small electric currents by means of mechanical effects produced by a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field)oh how i enjoyed telling him this the next day

Jesus man, where were you working?? I didn't even realise we had any here!
:eek:

"NING-NING-NING-NING-NING, I AM A SERVANT OF THE ALIEN, XENU. NING-NING-NING-NING."
Do that!!!

*robot voice*
You-too-are-a-servant-of-the-Alien-XENU?
:D

Man, if you consider this guy an idiot why would you have to move? I wouldn't even have apologized to him. "Church" of Scientology my @$$!
They're a sect, a cult based on a very bad sci-fi novel.

Man, if they made Star Trek or Star Wars a church, that'd work out just fine. But Hubby? Lord have mercy...

NING-NING-NING-NING...
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-12/903959/tinfoil.jpg
http://drue.com/wwbt/cat.tinfoil.hat.jpg
http://mishami.image.pbase.com/u19/twwilliams/upload/36310024._MG_1536.jpg
http://www.shout.net/~bigred/tinhat.jpg
NING-NING-NING-NING...

Man, if they made Star Trek or Star Wars a church, that'd work out just fine. But Hubby? Lord have mercy...


they made both into religions...they are called conventions.


well star trek became a religion in futurama

Accidentally insulted a scientologist? Ha! Pretend it wasn't an accident and carry on. :D

Hey, is there any religious taboo that might scare a scientologist away? You know, make HIM move away from ME?!

Like in Christianity... If there was an annoying, fundie Christian that sat next to me and prayed at the top of her lungs before every class... All I'd have to say is that I'm a Satanist, and she'd move.

What? With scientology, couldn't I... like... say that I worship the alien, Xenu? Or better yet. Wait, wait.. I could design a hat out of tinfoil, follow him after class, then put the tinfoil hat on and blink as fast as I can, while walking slowly towards him, saying, "NING-NING-NING-NING-NING, I AM A SERVANT OF THE ALIEN, XENU. NING-NING-NING-NING."

That would work, wouldn't it? He'd fucking outright drop the class.

[Edit]Don't be a pansy. You shouldn't move.[Edit]

Me, I would recommend being an Satanist (scaring him by dressing up in a Satanic looking costume) or just tell him your an Satanist. Since Satanism is all about being Anti-All Religions, and tell him you have cleaned your soul from all idiotic religious bulls**t. Wearing an pentagram and having an Satanic Bible on hand will help scare the living daylights out of him. I'm not saying you have to be a real Satanist to do this, I'm just saying how you could play some jokes on him. Or you can say you worship the alien Xenu. That sounds good.

Or you could have some interesting discussions about religion. That's what I would do. Since I enjoy studying and talking about different religions with people. If you don't give a damn about Scientology and you don't wish to waste time scaring him. Just tell him you have cleaned your soul from all idiotic religious bulls**t, and end it with that.

~Satanic Reverend Medivh~

Accidentally insulted a scientologist? Ha! Pretend it wasn't an accident and carry on. :D
That'd make a good bumperbar sticker.

oh no!! can't control myself! I thought I was over saying this!!! my past comes back to haunt me oh well here goes!!!


murder/suicide

I was killing time before a bus a few weeks back and there was this scientologist tent outside City Hall. Ever curious I took a look inside. These people are BUTJOBS! RAVING FUCKING NUTJOBS! First of all they're all in jumpsuits and Nikes like they're ready to kill themselves and follow a comet.

Inside I was asking them questions and they responded by putting me on that machine thing and claiming to unlock my secrets. The problem was firstly I was lying, secondly I was manipulatin gthe results by pressing lighter or softer.

After that they sent me alone into what I can only assume was a brainwashing room, or a video annex. Either way it freaked the bajeebaz out of me.

Needless to say, I'm sticking to good old fashion Voodoo...

The machines and such don't actually do anything at all; they rely on psychosomatics. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychosomatic_Disorder) Specifically they cause something to physically/mentally happen purely because you believe it will, skepticism by it’s very nature makes you immune to any such effect. The stories, the pseudo-mystical bullshit, the serious devotion, etc, etc, all serve to place a person in a mind set of belief so that the "power of suggestion" may take effect. From what I understand this has worked very successfully for overthrowing drug addiction and deep depression. Of course, once something like that has been "cured" that certainly could make a person take their line of bullshit, very, VERY seriously.

From what I understand, Hubbard learned his psychological manipulation techniques from the works of, yeah of all people, Aleister Crowley. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alistair_Crowley) The self styled "wickedest man alive" and my all accounts a master of manipulation.

Yes, their entire system is pure unadulterated bullshit, which does not however necessarily mean it doesn't work. But hey, I’m a Deist… that shit just isn’t my bag. No harm in learning a little about it though.

~Satanic Reverend Medivh~[/COLOR]

i think satanists have upside down pentacles. if you wore a pentagram he'd just think you were pagan.

i think satanists have upside down pentacles. if you wore a pentagram he'd just think you were pagan.

This is true. Satanists mock Christian tradition by inverting their symbols... the Pythagorean pentagram (one point down, or pentacles), upside-down crosses and the like. The pentagram has a long history as both a Christian and Pagan symbol.

And he asked, "Have you ever read any of L. Ron Hubbard's works? Because I think they're very religious..."

See, this is a cult, moreover it was a cult created entirely as a big experiment. An experiment to see if people are stupid enough to believe a completely fabricated religion. The experiment was a great success.

play the athiest card and pretend you think all religions are bull shit.
unless hes alreafy confirmed you to be a christian.

:headbang: scientology is so stupid