NationStates Jolt Archive

I still do not understand how the government and even the people of this country accept people like this in society....

2nd aspect... how can religion be based on pulp fiction!??!?!

http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/

Prepare to be sued.

Tom Cruise makes me sick.

Tom Cruise makes me sick.
Try adding salt.

Or maybe oregano.

or boil him... like the scientologists in the video do

Try adding salt.

Or maybe oregano.
I wonder if he did that with the placenta... :confused:

lolz

watch the video in the beginning of the post... its really something.

I have a solution.
*starts Power Point Presentation*
See this picture of Hollywood.
http://www.anders.com/pictures/public/04-views/43%20-%20Hollywood%20Hills%20-%20Los%20Angeles%20-%20California_sm.jpg
Add liberal dose of violence.
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/vc68a.4a.jpg
Result: No more Scientology... or bad movies. Just nuclear glass.
http://drwho.virtadpt.net/pictures/memorial-day-2004/nuclear-glass.jpg

You would have to also wait for the Sundance festival in Park City West, Utah, and hit that place, too.

I still do not understand how the government and even the people of this country accept people like this in society....

2nd aspect... how can religion be based on pulp fiction!??!?!

http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/
Scientology is no more (or less) silly or dangerous than any of the countless other organized superstitions we tolerate.

Yeah, how can we accept their crazy beliefs?!

I mean, they don't involve some chick getting knocked up by a god, having a kid who dies, comes back to life and claims that he's going to "save" everyone. We all know that that's a perfectly reasonable thing to believe.

Tom Cruise makes me sick.

"Mom, Tom Cruise won't come out of the closet!"

For the most comprehensive information on $cientology available go to

www.xenu.net (http://www.xenu.net/)

Prepare to get angry.

"Mom, Tom Cruise won't come out of the closet!"
Great episode.

Personally, Mormonism disturbs me more.

Personally, Mormonism disturbs me more.
OH really?

Does it contain this:
THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN CONTROL PEOPLE IS TO LIE TO THEM. You can write that down in your book in great big letters. The only way you can control anybody is to lie to them.

[...]

[An] individual is lying to you because he is trying to control you---because if they give you enough misinformation they will pull you down the tone scale so that they can control you.

-L. Ron Hubbard, "Technique 88"

Taken from Operation Clambake presents: Things To Keep In Mind (http://www.xenu.net/archive/co_pls.html) - Controlling Your Enemy

OH really?

Does it contain this:


Taken from Operation Clambake presents: Things To Keep In Mind (http://www.xenu.net/archive/co_pls.html) - Controlling Your Enemy

Yes. Mormonism is just more subtle about it, which is why it disturbs me more.

OH really?

Does it contain this:


Taken from Operation Clambake presents: Things To Keep In Mind (http://www.xenu.net/archive/co_pls.html) - Controlling Your Enemy
Hey, at least Scientology is up-front about this. Every religion (hell, pretty much every major organization) knows about this principle, and pretty much everybody uses it to one degree or another. It's just that the Scientologists look you in the eye and tell you that they're lying.

Yeah, how can we accept their crazy beliefs?!

I mean, they don't involve some chick getting knocked up by a god, having a kid who dies, comes back to life and claims that he's going to "save" everyone. We all know that that's a perfectly reasonable thing to believe.

Scientology makes all that seem entirely reasonable.

Hey, at least Scientology is up-front about this. Every religion (hell, pretty much every major organization) knows about this principle, and pretty much everybody uses it to one degree or another. It's just that the Scientologists look you in the eye and tell you that they're lying.
That's the problem... The lying.

Scientology makes all that seem entirely reasonable.
Frankly, I find Scientology less bizarre than most of the myths in the Bible. I find it easier to accept the possibility of evil alien dictators than the idea of an omnipotent and all-good diety who would punish humans for wanting knowledge.

That's the problem... The lying.
If you don't want to be lied to, you're probably better off avoiding organizations that want you to believe in evil aliens or magical zombies.

Frankly, I find Scientology less bizarre than most of the myths in the Bible. I find it easier to accept the possibility of evil alien dictators than the idea of an omnipotent and all-good diety who would punish humans for wanting knowledge.
As oppose to a bunch of lunatic humans denying knowledging to others and making them pay through their nose for it? :rolleyes:

Hey, at least Scientology is up-front about this. Every religion (hell, pretty much every major organization) knows about this principle, and pretty much everybody uses it to one degree or another. It's just that the Scientologists look you in the eye and tell you that they're lying.
Excuse me if I laugh. They're "upfront about it"?
There is hardly a more secretive "religious" organization out there than Scientology, and they full well know why.
If a handful of overseas websites refusing to be threatened into silence unearthing their dirty tricks suddenly equals Scientology being "upfront" about anything, that's a rather interesting definiton of "upfront" you have there.

[QUOTE=Lynxy_turd]I still do not understand how the government and even the people of this country accept people like this in society....QUOTE]

Why should we not accept them? I may not sign onto their beliefs, but there shouldn't be any law proscribing a person in their belief.

"we claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own concience, and alow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." (11th article of faith (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/a_of_f/1))

The law that will trample upon the rights of a scientologist will also trample the rights of a catholic, lutheran, muslim, or any other creed.

Hey, at least Scientology is up-front about this. Every religion (hell, pretty much every major organization) knows about this principle, and pretty much everybody uses it to one degree or another. It's just that the Scientologists look you in the eye and tell you that they're lying.

No they don't. In fact, if you put any of their information on the Internet, they sue you until you're impoverished.

It's a big secret for them, and they don't want people to know.

They've even killed members who tried to reveal what Scientology is all about.

As oppose to a bunch of lunatic humans denying knowledging to others and making them pay through their nose for it? :rolleyes:
Why would you want to bring the Catholic Church into this? We're talking about Scientology, here. :)

No they don't. In fact, if you put any of their information on the Internet, they sue you until you're impoverished.

Really? I've posted plenty of info about Scientology on the web, and a good friend of mine runs a website that is dedicated to attacking Scientology (his sister was recruited by them about 10 years ago). Neither of us has ever been sued. (Although I am somewhat impoverished, now that you mention it...)


It's a big secret for them, and they don't want people to know.

They've even killed members who tried to reveal what Scientology is all about.
That's entirely possible. And there are plenty of other religions that have done the same, and continue to do so to this day. I'm not saying I think Scientology is a good religion...remember, I think all the organized superstitions are intellectually poisonous and morally bankrupt. I'm simply saying that I don't see Scientology as any worse than any other superstition.

Why would you want to bring the Catholic Church into this? We're talking about Scientology, here. :)
Paying in the Catholic Church is optional. If you don't want to go to hell, you pay for your indulgences, but it's not required, since confession and a shit load of penance can achieve the same thing for almost nothing.

Scientology requires you pay them every last dime so that when you realise the lie, you've got no legs to stand on.

Frankly, I find Scientology less bizarre than most of the myths in the Bible. I find it easier to accept the possibility of evil alien dictators than the idea of an omnipotent and all-good diety who would punish humans for wanting knowledge.
The point is not if their beliefs are bizarre or not, those evil aliens come only into play really late in the game anyway.

They could preach that Tuesday follows Monday and that the sun rises in the morning, for all I care, but as long as they do it by brainwashing, exploitation, fraud, theft, extortion, threats, harassment, physical violence and murder, excuse me that I don't see the point of even caring about how "crazy" or not they are in comparison to other religions.

Frankly, I find Scientology less bizarre than most of the myths in the Bible. I find it easier to accept the possibility of evil alien dictators than the idea of an omnipotent and all-good diety who would punish humans for wanting knowledge.

If you're referring to the garden incident, that's no longer part of Catholic doctrine, AFAIK.

The point is not if their beliefs are bizarre or not, those evil aliens come only into play really late in the game anyway.

They could preach that Tuesday follows Monday and that the sun rises in the morning, for all I care, but as long as they do it by brainwashing, exploitation, fraud, theft, extortion, threats, harassment, physical violence and murder, excuse me that I don't see the point of even caring about how "crazy" or not they are in comparison to other religions.
The tactics certainly do warrant concern. Yet, again, I am forced to wonder why these same tactics are forgiven when they are employed by the "major religions" in the world today.

Like I said, I am not defending Scientology, any more than I would defend any other superstitious organization. I'm simply being even-handed in my criticism.

If you're referring to the garden incident, that's no longer part of Catholic doctrine, AFAIK.
So... the Vatican editted that out of Genesis? :rolleyes:

Without sins, the Catholic Church has no reason to exist...

Really? I've posted plenty of info about Scientology on the web, and a good friend of mine runs a website that is dedicated to attacking Scientology (his sister was recruited by them about 10 years ago). Neither of us has ever been sued. (Although I am somewhat impoverished, now that you mention it...)


That's entirely possible. And there are plenty of other religions that have done the same, and continue to do so to this day. I'm not saying I think Scientology is a good religion...remember, I think all the organized superstitions are intellectually poisonous and morally bankrupt. I'm simply saying that I don't see Scientology as any worse than any other superstition.

When was the last time a run of the mill Protestant in the US was killed for posting Bible verses on the Net?

When was the last time a run of the mill Protestant in the US was killed for posting Bible verses on the Net?
It happened... uh... you see... the KKK has a time machine and...uh... they sent a white guy into the future to... uh... Hm... kill a black guy, yes, a black guy, who had the gall to use a white man's invention for his uh... own pleasure and publish the Lord's word... and... that's not a good thing because... uh... ah screw it! I can't think of any reason why this would actually happen. I've never heard of a protestant being killed for posting Bible verses... or any Muslim for that matter posting Qu'ran verses on the internet. :p

2 Bottle

Hey, if you like them so much, why not join them? Actually, I got the feeling you are already in. In our last discussion you disappeared after you felt your back to the wall - typical tactic of cultists.

I repeat my question from the last time - please name me any part of Christian dogma that is concealed from the flock by the Church.

To those of you who were not present - we argued that Scientology, as any other cult, was fundamentally different from traditional religions in that it hides its dogmas from the flock, and it's members need to advance in "levels" to get full information about the faith, while traditional religions provide all relevant information upfront.

To those of you who were not present - we argued that Scientology, as any other cult, was fundamentally different from traditional religions in that it hides its dogmas from the flock, and it's members need to advance in "levels" to get full information about the faith, while traditional religions provide all relevant information upfront.
But, it also provides you with tonnes of irrelevant information upfront as well. :p

You gotta love all the Scientology YTMNDs :D

2 Kryozerkia

You know, here in Russia it looked like a deluge a few years ago - stands selling dianetics in every shop selling books. Frightening.

I wonder if he did that with the placenta... :confused:

I wonder if there was actually a baby at all XP.

While I am against religion in general, I do think Scientology is worse. One almost has to admire the supervillain-like scheming behind it.

2 Bottle

Hey, if you like them so much, why not join them? Actually, I got the feeling you are already in. In our last discussion you disappeared after you felt your back to the wall - typical tactic of cultists.

I repeat my question from the last time - please name me any part of Christian dogma that is concealed from the flock by the Church.

To those of you who were not present - we argued that Scientology, as any other cult, was fundamentally different from traditional religions in that it hides its dogmas from the flock, and it's members need to advance in "levels" to get full information about the faith, while traditional religions provide all relevant information upfront.

Not traditionally, Originally it was in latin and read only in latin so very few people could read. Then eventually it was translated to English in away that suited the Church and select passages were read to the followers as many couldn't read and write. Then finally being literate was the norm and people left the church in huge numbers.

So you could say it people advance in a series of very long levels.

2 Kryozerkia

You know, here in Russia it looked like a deluge a few years ago - stands selling dianetics in every shop selling books. Frightening.
Does it get a place beside Mein Kompf?

No they don't. In fact, if you put any of their information on the Internet, they sue you until you're impoverished.

It's a big secret for them, and they don't want people to know.

They've even killed members who tried to reveal what Scientology is all about.
True. Their so called "Religion" is extremely dangerous, I wouldn't go near Clearwater FL at all.

Does it get a place beside Mein Kompf?
I'm sure if Hitler was alive he'd remove his book from the dianetics section.

Seriously, buy one of those books, burn it in public, and see how long it takes before you get attacked somehow.

So... the Vatican editted that out of Genesis? :rolleyes:

Without sins, the Catholic Church has no reason to exist...

The OT is mostly just background and lore. Christianity focuses on the NT.

2 Kryozerkia

You know, here in Russia it looked like a deluge a few years ago - stands selling dianetics in every shop selling books. Frightening.



So Communism fell, and all you got was L. Ron Hubbard? You poor people. On behalf of my country, I apologize.

I still do not understand how the government and even the people of this country accept people like this in society....

Right now the government and country are too busy getting on the "Muslims should be exterminated like they're from Aliens or Starship Troopers" bandwagon to deal with cultists, much less filthy rich celebrity cultists.

lol...did any of you even watch that link??

its so... well disturbing to say the least.

I have no problem with religious freedom, but there is a difference between basing beliefs on ancient/historical events and scriptures and a sci-fi book...

nahm sayin?

Right now the government and country are too busy getting on the "Muslims should be exterminated like they're from Aliens or Starship Troopers" bandwagon to deal with cultists, much less filthy rich celebrity cultists.

Actually, Germany is leading the fight against Scientology. It's not considered a religion with any legal standing in Germany.

Actually, Germany is leading the fight against Scientology. It's not considered a religion with any legal standing in Germany.
To nit-pick: they're free to call themselves a religion, can't really forbid them that, but they're not a recognized church. I.e. in Germany, they can't call themselves "Church of Scientology", just "Scientology".

They've been fighting for church status for years (decades, by now) to
1) make themselves look more legitimate
and (mainly) to
2) get that coveted tax-exempt status that churches have.

But they're never going to get it. No chance in hell. Last I know, they were actually under constant surveillance by the Verfassungsschutz, our equivalent to the NSA.
They're pretty much seen as a criminal organisation who just has been clever enough to never get caught...

Great episode.

Ah, indeed

I don't see how Scientology could not be worse than the most popular of religions, namely Christianity(most popular) and Islam(second most popular). It took the church and that nutty journalist(the one that basicly created the terrorist branch of Islam) some time and effort to corrupt their religions. They had to work on it. Scientology was corrupt to begin with. It took little effort to ruin it. That would be like trying to light a fire on fire or to freeze an ice cube. Redundant because it was already that way.

Plus, outside a few terrorist groups, namely kkk and al-queida, The big two aren't that bad. Sure, people could use religion as an excuse to kill. It works both ways. Radical atheists could use religion as an excuse to kill the religious.

Yeah, how can we accept their crazy beliefs?!

I mean, they don't involve some chick getting knocked up by a god, having a kid who dies, comes back to life and claims that he's going to "save" everyone. We all know that that's a perfectly reasonable thing to believe.
Difference being that scientology is falsifiable. Christianity, on the other hand, is not. (Same goes for Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Paganism and the rest) You see, there's plenty of physical evidence against scientology, whilst there is no evidence either way with the real religions.

When I use the word falsifiable I refer to the scientific use of the word. I am not saying that it is necessarily true. A theory must be able to be proven false. Things we know to be true are falsifiable. For example, Cell theory is falsifiable, religious claims are not. Scientology, is, because of it's proximity in time, falsifiable due to statements L. Ron Hubbard made, his behaviors, and several other factors associated with it.

But they're never going to get it. No chance in hell. Last I know, they were actually under constant surveillance by the Verfassungsschutz, our equivalent to the NSA.
They're pretty much seen as a criminal organisation who just has been clever enough to never get caught...
They've actually led several Intelligence Agencies on a merry chase around the world. It's common knowledge that the CIA was after L. Ron Hubbard, and used naval warships, airborne radar and spy sattelites to track his yacht during the latter years of his life. The Moroccan Intelligence Community spent a good five years hunting him, with orders to detain him for interrogation.

Difference being that scientology is falsifiable. Christianity, on the other hand, is not. (Same goes for Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Paganism and the rest) You see, there's plenty of physical evidence against scientology, whilst there is no evidence either way with the real religions.

Yes, exactly. There is very little physical evidence to disprove Christianity- however, there is a WORLD of evidence to diprove Scientology. And what happened with the Bible? If you had people like Paul writing your holy text, you know it's going to be a tad.. off. And then there is stuff in the Catholic Church going on.

And besides... I have a little secret to tell you. Come closer... just a bit closer...

SCIENTOLOGY IS BASED ON PULP FICTION AND LIES! THAT'S WHY IT'S A BUNCH OF CRAP!

So don't go bashing Christianity, which is irrelevant to Scientology completely. :headbang:

The last time Christianity charged money for spiritual ascendance, it was back when the Catholic Church was the only game in the neighborhood and it was called "indulgences." It was also part of the reasons why Martin Luther decided to nail a piece of paper to the door one find day.

Far as I'm aware, Islam or Judaism doesn't charge money for spiritual ascendance either.

Scientology is a money-maker, pure and simple.

The last time Christianity charged money for spiritual ascendance, it was back when the Catholic Church was the only game in the neighborhood and it was called "indulgences." It was also part of the reasons why Martin Luther decided to nail a piece of paper to the door one find day.

Far as I'm aware, Islam or Judaism doesn't charge money for spiritual ascendance either.

Scientology is a money-maker, pure and simple.
The money that the followers of Islam, Juadiam and Christianity pay are paid as donations and out of good will because of the nature of their religion which preaches goodwill to others (ignoring that the fundies have warped it into something else).

One of the pillars of Islam is Charity and, it means that those with the means to, should (but don't have to) donate a small portion of their income so that those with little or nothing can have a little something more.

Just as with the Collection Plate. It is optional, but, people donate because they WANT to.

At no time are any of the followers coerced into playing money.

$cientology mandates that its "followers" pony up large sums of money.

So Communism fell, and all you got was L. Ron Hubbard? You poor people. On behalf of my country, I apologize.

You have no idea :D

I haven't got the notion with Mein Kampf, though.

It looks like we have a new addition to my list of dangerous religious nutcases:
Islamofascists
the medieval Catholic Church
Those scary people down the street
That guy with that rainbow wig and that "John 1:16" sign
scientologists

new additions are in bold.

"Mom, Tom Cruise won't come out of the closet!"

:D

*starts singing*

"Tom Cruise is in the closet..."

I must admit, I'm no big fan of Christianity or Islam, have a few issues with Judaism and the social aspect of Hinduism is a big turnoff. However, I absolutely detest Scientology. It proclaims the worst parts of the other religions as its virtues and renounces the only useful parts as deceptions.

Scientology is all about directly manipulating the individual's role in society. Like the Churches and Mosques, it lures people into communities with promises of social support and assistance in their personal life, then subconsciously drives their actions within this group mentality and robs them blind (be it of time, energy or finances, all congregations deliberately sap resources). Like Islam, Scientology makes it very difficult for people to escape when they want to, and like Christianity, Scientology has an alluring sense to its communities that prevents people from even wanting to escape. And, astoundingly, it declares these parts of its organisation openly. With all of the ridiculous fairy-tales being kept secret, for it to openly admit to suckering people into joining their little cult displays a clear lack of respect towards their members. It's one thing to do it and be ashamed of it; it's quite another to do it and be proud of it.

Compared to the others, Scientology is unbelievably extortionate. Christianity requires little more of you than a few hours a week and your own copy of the bible and Islam requires little more than the same time and a slight change in wardrobe occasionally. You're effectively being suckered in to a professional psychiatry session every few days with half of the effect. The very act of banning psychiatry just goes to show you how utterly determined to keep bleeding as much of their clientele dry as possible they are. Where going to a professional would be of great help to much of them, people're being persuaded that being brainwashed is better!

Where it ultimately destroys itself, however, is in the lack of the sole redeeming features of the other faiths; the potential for personal analysis and critical evaluation. Regardless of your opinion on it, there are an awful lot of subjects covered in the many books of the Bible. Hubbard's work, on the other hand, is entirely self-enclosed. Having flick-read through Dianetics, I can tell you that it is not open to reinterpretation. Every point Hubbard makes is deliberate and explicit, and any potential for dialogue (beyond cries of "ridiculous") has been wiped out.

The only possible value for scripture comes from personal exploration. Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, they all exist to confine and restrict discovery and searching. If all you did was go to church, you'd wind up like those Southern Baptist bastards who scream discriminative abuse at anyone they don't like (who, of course, are legion). No, the purpose of spirituality has always been about finding and forming your own answers; and unlike the other world religions, who at least Tolerate such an approach to their faith, Scientology is institutionally opposed to it, and viciously so.

Scientology does its best to prevent people from ever seeking beyond its own packaged approach to life, it does it for money, and it does so without remorse or respect for the people it steals from. I would see it razed to the ground; a smouldering wreckage whose remains can no longer taint the minds of people, and a lasting tribute to the freedom of exploration of life's answers by our own path rather than restriction by organisational influences.

We really need a good scientologist on here who isn't a puppet.

Scientology is a system of unjustified beliefs like any other religion.

I see no reason to bear it any extra ill will.

We really need a good scientologist...
They don't exist. Scientologists are either conned or con artists.

They don't exist. Scientologists are either conned or con artists.
I bet there's a scientogist somewhere. Maybe with a L Ron Hubbard quote in their sig....

I bet there's a scientogist somewhere. Maybe with a L Ron Hubbard quote in their sig....
Well, if there is, they're likely too busy keeping tabs on us to find time to actually post.

Well, if there is, they're likely too busy keeping tabs on us to find time to actually post.
I love Scientology! I love flying on 747s!

And Tom! And Katie! And the Mystery Baby!

And Volcano Dwelling Aliens!

And the great lord Xenu!

We really need a good scientologist on here who isn't a puppet.
They're ALL puppets... sadly enough.

I still do not understand how the government and even the people of this country accept people like this in society....

2nd aspect... how can religion be based on pulp fiction!??!?!

http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/

Name a religion that was NOT based on pulp fiction....

Name a religion that was NOT based on pulp fiction....
Buddhism.

The guy just stayed alone for a really long time and lost it.

:D

*starts singing*

"Tom Cruise is in the closet..."

No no no...

"Still like that old time rock n roll..."

Why shouldn't one accept scientologists into society? I wasn't aware that accepting the existence of a belief required agreeing with, liking, or even slightly respecting that belief. I think scientology is nonsensical, but if people want to believe complete nonsense, how can I really stop them?

(Now, if these nonsense-believing people try to take away my psychoactive medications, I will cheerfully rip them a new orifice or two, but that's another issue altogether. ;) )

Originally Posted by Poliwanacraca
Why shouldn't one accept scientologists into society? I wasn't aware that accepting the existence of a belief required agreeing with, liking, or even slightly respecting that belief.
Fair enough if all they are doing is keeping to themselves but when they actively seek to corrupt individuals, organisations, governments, etc using the methods described in the links in this thread, solely for financial greed, it becomes a whole different ball game :( .

http://xenutv.com/originals/4th.htm

xenutv.com will make you think differently of them as well. Those videos on that specific page just show you how fucked up these people are. It's almost like theyre brainwashed and cant think reasonably.

Fair enough if all they are doing is keeping to themselves but when they actively seek to corrupt individuals, organisations, governments, etc using the methods described in the links in this thread, solely for financial greed, it becomes a whole different ball game :( .

Well, my own opinion is basically that one can believe whatever one darn well pleases, but that no religion gives one a license to be an asshole. :)

The more I hear about scientologists, the more I want to put them all on a desert island for easier nuking. Saves nukes for more important stuff, like protecting us from asteroids and the threat of not having nuclear weaponry around.

The more I hear about scientologists, the more I want to put them all on a desert island for easier nuking. Saves nukes for more important stuff, like protecting us from asteroids and the threat of not having nuclear weaponry around.

No no no...

Tie them all to the base of a volcano and then set off a nuke. Punishment and irony all in one.

:D

... how can religion be based on pulp fiction!??!?!

Name a religion that isn't ;)

No no no...

Tie them all to the base of a volcano and then set off a nuke. Punishment and irony all in one.

:D

and then, build "soul catchers" and tell them thaat we work for Lord Xenu!

ALL HAIL LORD XENU!

http://xenutv.com/originals/4th.htm

xenutv.com will make you think differently of them as well. Those videos on that specific page just show you how fucked up these people are. It's almost like theyre brainwashed and cant think reasonably.

All he wanted to do was ride on the damn Ferris Wheel....

Man those people are nuts.

Guys, do you have any idea of the role of religious feeling in the society and life of human being? Go read somebody with some brains, for Christ sake! If you think that the Church people are too biased or old-fashioned, there are always guys like Hacksley or Castaneda around - they write about the same thing in a more modern way.

Guys, do you have any idea of the role of religious feeling in the society and life of human being?
Its the role that religious feeling plays in society and personal life that people have issues with. The point at which things like Churches and Cults start to twist society to suit their own needs is the point at which we, as observers, reject them. It generally isn't about the actual belief, but more the way in which it is carried out that's the problem. While they wouldn't agree with them, I think most atheists would, when pushed, agree that people are free to believe what they want as long as those beliefs aren't being used as a method of control.

The problem with Scientology is that there is no possible way in which one can use its ideas without engaging in this kind of social control. Other religions might have mystics or heretics who explore the ideas in texts or tales as metaphoric and derive their own forms of interpretation that aren't canon, and they're free to do so. The closest thing Scientology has to that is a group created to ridicule it, and I don't doubt that the church of Xenu is going to come under some heavy lawsuits in due time.

Scientology is a scam, a fraudulent enterprise, and should be dealt with as such. It's just bilking people out of their money, and then blackmailing them out of more of it.

Yeah, how can we accept their crazy beliefs?!

I mean, they don't involve some chick getting knocked up by a god, having a kid who dies, comes back to life and claims that he's going to "save" everyone. We all know that that's a perfectly reasonable thing to believe.


What are you implying? It seems to me that it is some kind of jab at Christianity, which I have noticed is extremely fashionable on the internet, but the facts are all screwed up.

Its funny how athiests, seem to base their criticism on the Catholic Church and some crazy hyper-radical idiots.
Most organizations and people that I see/know are extremely poor examples of Christians. They edit and pick out parts of the Bible that dont suit them, which isnt how its supposed to be done. A Christian is expected to accept the entire Bible, not just the parts that suit their fancy.

And before you all start raging on the primitive practices of the Old Testament, I was refering to the New Testament, because the OT, as someone already mentioned, is lore/background.

the church that I go to, for instance, makes no profit whatsoever, the pastor recieves no income, and any money collected is for the rent of the building. The Bible never condoned 'selling' forgiveness, so people need to stop attaching that to Christianity in general.

Well, that about sums things up for now, I'll give you guys time to twist my words before I make another defense.
:)

Is Lord Xenu the brother of Xena the Warrior Princess?

It's almost like theyre brainwashed and cant think reasonably.

And that's different from other religions how?

And that's different from other religions how?

In other religion they do it for free, in Scienctology they require you to pony up some cash.

In other religion they do it for free, in Scienctology they require you to pony up some cash.

Therefore Scientology is a good thing: people stupid enough to believe in it are punished. Educational.

In other religion they do it for free, in Scienctology they require you to pony up some cash.

So they actually make it harder to get brainwashed.

Sounds like a public service.

And that's different from other religions how?

When (most) other religions practice, they dont brainwash yourself and filter out things. At least the normal person will have rational thoughts and perspectives, aside from the extremists.

I mean look at how those guys act in the video, they remind me of heroine addicts.

Most religions let you bend a few rules slightly when your life is at stake. For example, Judaism and Christianity have a rule against killing people. However, they let you kill someone in self defense. If some lunatic is running towards you with a knife and starts trying to stab you to death, you are allowed to pull out a gun and blow the guy's brains out at last resort. As long as you don't feel good about killing him, you didn't do anything wrong. If, for some reason, you have to sleep with your neighbor's spouse to live, god apparently would understand.

In Scientology, you can't break any rules. If you need psyciatric help to live, you're screwed. Get said help and you'll be lucky if you end up with a bullet in the head.

Yeah, how can we accept their crazy beliefs?!

I mean, they don't involve some chick getting knocked up by a god, having a kid who dies, comes back to life and claims that he's going to "save" everyone. We all know that that's a perfectly reasonable thing to believe.

What are you implying? It seems to me that it is some kind of jab at Christianity, which I have noticed is extremely fashionable on the internet, but the facts are all screwed up.

Its funny how athiests, seem to base their criticism on the Catholic Church and some crazy hyper-radical idiots.
Most organizations and people that I see/know are extremely poor examples of Christians. They edit and pick out parts of the Bible that dont suit them, which isnt how its supposed to be done. A Christian is expected to accept the entire Bible, not just the parts that suit their fancy.

And before you all start raging on the primitive practices of the Old Testament, I was refering to the New Testament, because the OT, as someone already mentioned, is lore/background.

the church that I go to, for instance, makes no profit whatsoever, the pastor recieves no income, and any money collected is for the rent of the building. The Bible never condoned 'selling' forgiveness, so people need to stop attaching that to Christianity in general.

Well, that about sums things up for now, I'll give you guys time to twist my words before I make another defense.
:)

Not to put words in Dakini's mouth, so to speak, but I think s/he was actually pointing out the premise for a good number of other beliefs, not just Christianity. If s/he wasn't it was still worth me pointing it out! However, this is not the place for a debate on how much content of Christianity is actually adapted or directly taken from various older religions.

My parents were both in Scientology when they were younger. They had me a while after they'd got out. My mum was living in one of their "communities" with my (half) brother and had to escape with him. They were in hiding for a while after. Even now, both my parents will do the odd little thing here or there to warn others about it. For example, my mum and I both belonged to writers circle. One member came in one week with a competition from a newspaper calling for sci-fi work to be mailed to a PO box number that was all too familiar to my mum, so she made sure everyone knew what it was. However, they are both reluctant to attend public displays of anti-scientology, I presume for fear of being seen and identified. They don't talk about it much.

It fucked with their lives, robbed them of money and I would lose no sleep to find out that those currently responsible for running the cult have finally been held accountable. It is not a recognised religion in most of the world, just a financially successful cult. Such large scale con jobs shouldn't be allowed to opperate.

Basically... the conclusion is Scientologists = mafia

Basically... the conclusion is Scientologists = mafia

Except the Mafia doesn't spew crap about space alien souls or jump up and down on couches.

In other words, the Mafia is... Respectable.

Except the Mafia doesn't spew crap about space alien souls or jump up and down on couches.

In other words, the Mafia is... Respectable.

Yea, but there's the whole kiss of death thing. Some mobster use tounge.