TurtleShroom Decides: Scientology - Business or Cult? [IC]

[TurtleShroom]

For too long, the Chancellors have heard the feirce flame wars.

You see, there is an uproarious battle on Scientology, and whether it should or should not be taxed.

Currently, it is a religion and is thus not taxed.


Some claim it is a business, some a cult, some a religion, and some an evil to be banned.

In this money war, there are four groups: "Culters", "Conservatives", "Taxers", and "Religioners".


• If the Culters win, Scientology is reclassified as a cult, which must pay a 51% "creepiness tax" to exist. Cults are very unnerving and must pay extra.
  
• If the Taxers win, Scientology is reclassified as a business, and pays normal business taxes. They exist as a business and must remove "Church" from their name. The Taxers want to call it "Scientology, Inc.".
  
• If the Conservatives win, Scientology is classified as a "parody religion" (come on, it was written by a sciece fiction author and has an Emporer Zenu!), and is therefore quasi-outlawed. In the Conservative scenario, it is legal to deluge Scientologists with pies and to ban them at their employer's discretion. This would also add Scientology to the infamous ban list, joining Pastafarianism, the Pink Unicorn, Satanism, and so-called "parody religions", plus the Volatiles. All Scientolgy buildings would also be seized and sold off on public auction.
  
• If the Religioners win, Scientology is permanently redefined as a religion and keeps it tax-exemption.

The Masses have been arguing for too long. The Chancellors, seeing that it will get nowhere, have asked the Nations of the NS Universe to choose for them. The poll is not binding, in the end, the Chancellors make the decision. However, they want to know what everyone else thinks.

So, what do you think TurtleShroom should do with Scientology?

Please leave a message IN CHARACTER if you wish to further convince the Chancellors on your decision.

[Allanea]

Official Message from the United States Department of State:

Frankly, we don't really care, but consider the following:

1.True, scientology was invented by a science fiction author. Christianity was invented by a carpenter. Any religion can look really creepy to an outsider, and frankly, the Emperor (that is the proper spelling) Zenu is no more weird than the entirely drug-addled events that are described in some other religious book.
2.We in Allanea oppose religious exemptions – but if you choose to withdraw it from Scientology, or discriminate against Scientologists in any way, shape, or form, we will grant asylum status to any scientologists who choose to leave your nation afterwards.

[New Buckner]

In New Buckner we have taken steps to ensure such ravel rouser's such as these. Those who prey upon the public with such shear nonsense are dealt with by the Civitas Excolo in a manner befitting such individuals. It is of no concern to the populous what happens to people such as those who spread such blatant false-hoods and take advantage of the hard earned dollars of our citizens. The state takes the security and well being of its people as a gravely important issue.

[New Amerik]

While the Church of Scientology may truly be a legitimate religion, their smallness and devotion to others that are not us makes us mad. Make them a cult! They may come back as a legitimate group once their numbers have increased and their minds properly... swayed.

[Solonesia]

yes, i agree that the basis of scientology may be far fetched, but so are many other religions. the fact is that all religions are based on the supernatural, and scientology is no different.

[TurtleShroom]

yes, i agree that the basis of scientology may be far fetched, but so are many other religions. the fact is that all religions are based on the supernatural, and scientology is no different.

That is very true, and it must be taken into account that the populace of the Republic are, by strong majority, Christian, and therefore believe in God and the supernatural things that accompany Him.

This is why it is so difficult to attack or punish Scientology. They have nutty beliefs, but the devout population has beliefs that are considered insane by other nations as well.

The Chancellors in particular have trouble believing they are a scam because Christianity also mandates 10% of all income to the church. Christianity, in its sacred text, beseeches for money and state it as a duty and servitude to God. Considering that the scriptures of Scientology are locked up, it is possible that their text mandates an offering of sorts, too. If that is the case, it is the religious duty of Scientologists to give to their temple.

Still, church coffers, by moral creed, are required to tell exactly where the money goes (and print their budget for their congregation), something that Scientology, at least in the Republic, does not do. Clergy that abuse their congregations' funds are severely punished, usually with a revoke of their license/diploma in theology, as ripping believers off of their God-mandated gifts (and lying about it) is a felony. However, if the news networks tell the truth, that Scientology offers cheesy and/or expensive therapies and medical equipment at an overly high price, that can be considered a scam.

Furthermore, it must be rememebred that Emporer Zenu isn't a god, per say, but some sort of alien being that sent some sort of spirits/creatures/aliens down to the earth that somehow live in volcanoes. How he fits into the "faith" is not exactly covered in the public records of Scientology, nor is their faith's account of the origin of man documented, at least to the public.


The nation has sympathy and fear for the Scientologists; sympaty because they demand money like Christianity and, assuming good faith, they use it for their people and their mission, but fear because they're so darn creepy. Leaked videos reference them saluting to their founder, for example.

The populace has been tracking this baord for days, and the Cult side is slowly gaining momentum, primarily because they shouldn't be banned (it's not like they worship spaghetti), but they're not a bonifide faith.

Others argue that the State should back off of that and let them remain tax-exempt.

Remember, many nations are not as friendly to Scientology as TurtleShroom and the people on this post. I recall seeing one nation whom, by contisutional article, demands execution of all confessed Scientologists, or at least their leaders.

This is why the government chose to let the world decide.

[Prevania]

Dear Sirs,

May I commend you in your efforts to wipe out these un-believers and angerers of the Gods. We have sacrificed a bull calf in recognition of this momentus event, and call upon Poseidon, the Lord of Horses, to aid you in your great sacred war against this heinous crime of apostasy.

Adonai Theodulus Kleisthenes, High Priest of Zeus in the City of Prevoygrad in the Nation of Prevania

[Malikov]

Official Message from the United States Department of State:

Frankly, we don't really care, but consider the following:

1.True, scientology was invented by a science fiction author. Christianity was invented by a carpenter. Any religion can look really creepy to an outsider, and frankly, the Emperor (that is the proper spelling) Zenu is no more weird than the entirely drug-addled events that are described in some other religious book.
2.We in Allanea oppose religious exemptions – but if you choose to withdraw it from Scientology, or discriminate against Scientologists in any way, shape, or form, we will grant asylum status to any scientologists who choose to leave your nation afterwards.

Christianity was created after Jesus was crucified, by his disciples. Furthermore, he was not a carpenter, he was the Son of God. Ignore that. While I do like pointing out when people are wrong, you're probably an athiest, and veri don't want this to devolve into an argument of God's existence.