Scientology

[Hetairos]

Is anyone here a scientologist?
I can't believe how a (fairly) large institution can have such an absolute opposition to psycology and psychiatry, in the face of so much evidence and reasoning. Whitout psychiatry, people could very well die, because of suicide, or because of their illness provoking them to perform abhorrant acts.
I recently found this website:
http://www.cchr.org/
All of their 'arguments' are either fatally fawed or have been misconstrewed, and it has clearly been designed to manipulate people to believe what they do.

[Colonic Immigration]

Urgh.

[Yootopia]

"Religion moulds peoples' beliefs to fit those of its founder shocker"

[Enadail]

All of their 'arguments' are either fatally fawed or have been misconstrewed, and it has clearly been designed to manipulate people to believe what they do.

Ah, so you mean like other religions basically. But still, Scientology, to me, is among the worst, because they have it in their heads they're above the law.

[Treznor]

The beliefs and rituals of Scientology are irrelevant. It was created with a purpose, and that purpose was fulfilled.

It made Hubbard rich.

[Brutanion]

All of their 'arguments' are either fatally fawed or have been misconstrewed, and it has clearly been designed to manipulate people to believe what they do.

Ah, so you mean like other religions basically. But still, Scientology, to me, is among the worst, because they have it in their heads they're above the law.

And it's clearly made up.
Despite what one might say about various religions, Jesus didn't benefit from Christianity's foundation, Buddha did not become richer for Buddhism and Mohammed did not benefit much from Islam either. And the only thing Jude of Judaism ever had was a Beatles song.

[Hayteria]

All of their 'arguments' are either fatally fawed or have been misconstrewed, and it has clearly been designed to manipulate people to believe what they do.

Ah, so you mean like other religions basically. But still, Scientology, to me, is among the worst, because they have it in their heads they're above the law.

And it's clearly made up.
Despite what one might say about various religions, Jesus didn't benefit from Christianity's foundation, Buddha did not become richer for Buddhism and Mohammed did not benefit much from Islam either. And the only thing Jude of Judaism ever had was a Beatles song.

What makes you think Jesus/Mohammed/whatever religious prophet didn't "benefit"? Even if you're referring to money, what about their fame? Besides, how does a difference like that somehow make other religions uncomparable to Scientology?

[Treznor]

Ah, so you mean like other religions basically. But still, Scientology, to me, is among the worst, because they have it in their heads they're above the law.

And it's clearly made up.
Despite what one might say about various religions, Jesus didn't benefit from Christianity's foundation, Buddha did not become richer for Buddhism and Mohammed did not benefit much from Islam either. And the only thing Jude of Judaism ever had was a Beatles song.

What makes you think Jesus/Mohammed/whatever religious prophet didn't "benefit"? Even if you're referring to money, what about their fame? Besides, how does a difference like that somehow make other religions uncomparable to Scientology?

Well, first of all there's not a whole lot of proof that Jesus existed, although that's another topic entirely. Mohammed very clearly benefited, as he spent the rest of his life in a leadership position where he was able to dictate a new morality to his people. How else do you think he got away with marrying a nine-year-old?

The primary difference between Scientology and most other religions is that it didn't borrow its myths and rules from neighboring cultures. Hubbard created a new mythos from scratch, which makes it highly unique. Granted, there are still similarities to other religions but that's because it's hard to be truly original. Hubbard's genius was to start over from the beginning and incorporate a bit of psychology to play up a mysticism that had never before been imagined.

Obviously, he succeeded brilliantly. He died with more wealth than he could spend by himself, and the religion has persisted beyond his death. Although, should Hollywood fall I don't know if Scientology could survive.

[Kadagai]

Everytime I think of Scientology I giggle on the inside.

But if that's what they believe whatever, just don't bother me.

[Hetairos]

The problem is that scientology isn't really considered an 'outsider' when it comes to religion. Many millions of people have heard of it, and with such influential people following it, its views on psychiatry actually have the potential to gain a not insignificant amount of public support. That is what worries me, and is the reason I worry about the BNP in the same way, because they actually have the potential to gain seats in the UK and European parliaments.

[Flammable Ice]

The beliefs of Scientology are no worse than other religions. It's the Church of Scientology's behaviour that is due attention.

[Lunatic Goofballs]

I have a thetan in my pants.

[Katganistan]

I have a thetan in my pants.

Won't the missus get jealous? Unless she is the thetan, that is....

[Pax Ordo]

any religion can claim anything. however i tend to see all religions as simply two people saying tomatoe. one pronounces it (toe-mae-toe) the other pronounces it ( toe-maa-toe) when in reality both of them are speaking about the exact same thing. they simply view it with a different perception, and the fact remains that we continue to argue over whos perception is correct when all in and of themselves are correct given the subjectivity of truth to the indevidual experience of a human being. that isn't to say that some people are way out there with what they believe, but its thier choice to do so, and as such we should respect one another reguardless of choices and simply agree to disagree and leave it at that.

[Farnhamia Redux]

any religion can claim anything. however i tend to see all religions as simply two people saying tomatoe. one pronounces it (toe-mae-toe) the other pronounces it ( toe-maa-toe) when in reality both of them are speaking about the exact same thing. they simply view it with a different perception, and the fact remains that we continue to argue over whos perception is correct when all in and of themselves are correct given the subjectivity of truth to the indevidual experience of a human being. that isn't to say that some people are way out there with what they believe, but its thier choice to do so, and as such we should respect one another reguardless of choices and simply agree to disagree and leave it at that.

Heretic! Someone get a stake and some matches!

I personally think that arguing over religion is like two kids arguing about who has the best invisible friend.

[Pax Ordo]

agreed.

[Hetairos]

I personally think that arguing over religion is like two kids arguing about who has the best invisible friend.

Ditch the simile there, it is a large number of older kids arguing about who has the best imaginary friend, only some of these kids have weapons and political power to varying degrees.

[Lunatic Goofballs]

I have a thetan in my pants.

Won't the missus get jealous? Unless she is the thetan, that is....

We have an understanding abut thetans. She has one too. *nod*

[Kil-lur]

You better watch out because Lord Xenu knows where you live.

[Lunatic Goofballs]

You better watch out because Lord Xenu knows where you live.

Yeah I know. He comes over for Poker Nights. He usually brings Buffalo Wings. *nod*

[Hoyteca]

You better watch out because Lord Xenu knows where you live.

I'm not worried. Xenu's no threat as long as Anpu is around.

I don't like Scientology too much. The older religions have the excuse of being formed millennia ago, way before we learned about big bangs and dinosaur bones. There were no telescopes or microscopes. Basically, Abe's guess was as good as Greg's. What's Scientology's excuse? While the older religions are basically collections of legends and myths passed down from generation to generation, Scientology is one big horrible science fiction novel written by *gasp* a science fiction writer.

Plus the other religions have rules demanding that you don't be an asshole. Of course all rules are broken at some point. But does Scientology have rules against, say, random murders ad grand theft? Not really. In fact, Scientology demands that you be a huge asshole to those who dare leave the cult.

It's just a matter of time before they bring out the kool-aid and make Jonestown look like a happy health-club retreat.

[Calvinsjoy]

any religion can claim anything. however i tend to see all religions as simply two people saying tomatoe. one pronounces it (toe-mae-toe) the other pronounces it ( toe-maa-toe) when in reality both of them are speaking about the exact same thing. they simply view it with a different perception, and the fact remains that we continue to argue over whos perception is correct when all in and of themselves are correct given the subjectivity of truth to the indevidual experience of a human being. that isn't to say that some people are way out there with what they believe, but its thier choice to do so, and as such we should respect one another reguardless of choices and simply agree to disagree and leave it at that.

Heretic! Someone get a stake and some matches!

I personally think that arguing over religion is like two kids arguing about who has the best invisible friend.

maybe... but My invisible friend created me...

[Treznor]

any religion can claim anything. however i tend to see all religions as simply two people saying tomatoe. one pronounces it (toe-mae-toe) the other pronounces it ( toe-maa-toe) when in reality both of them are speaking about the exact same thing. they simply view it with a different perception, and the fact remains that we continue to argue over whos perception is correct when all in and of themselves are correct given the subjectivity of truth to the indevidual experience of a human being. that isn't to say that some people are way out there with what they believe, but its thier choice to do so, and as such we should respect one another reguardless of choices and simply agree to disagree and leave it at that.

Heretic! Someone get a stake and some matches!

I personally think that arguing over religion is like two kids arguing about who has the best invisible friend.

maybe... but My invisible friend created me...

Can we then blame your invisible friend for the design flaws?

[Zutroy]

its obviously a scam religion, that goes without saying... but as such, it is remarkably successful. in fact so much so that they were able to carry out a massive surveillance and intimidation operation in the 70's that was one of the largest in history, counting government and non-government activities

[Ledarre]

Its quite obvious that the universe is ruled by a sentient, giant apple