Scientology

[leroybrown]

This thread needed to happen.

So what are your thoughts on this organization? How would you define it? Is it good, bad, or 'not so cut and dry.'

[Frost Mage]

Well, I think (I learned a lot from therapy ) Scientologists are just taking advantage of peoples' ignorance. "Let's let them think there will ever be a cure (related to how the government put the diseases out there in the first place) so that they'll invest their money in us!".

[Veck]

There are plenty of cases, throughout history and now, where religion is twisted into a sick moneymaker. This is one of those cases.

[MARS]

See above.

Modern day medieval christianity.

[Frost Mage]

I believe that also, Veck. Christianity, in some cases, has been guilty of it too. I honestly don't believe what they're teaching in Bible Study is the truth. That is all .

[Dark Lord Cam]

I have a feeling this thread will be nothing but flaming a religion. I'm watching you guys, if this doesn't progress beyond. "Scientology sucks!" I'm going to lock it.

[Lindai]

They're a business masquerading as a religion. They're the absolute epitome of hypocrisy. They prey on insecure people and see them as potential clients rather than people to be helped. They have forced abortions upon some members. They believe that psychiatry, the scientific approach and thus the only plausible approach to exploring the mental illnesses, must be gotten rid of. The leader himself stated more than once that starting a religion is a vector to monetary gain, and he himself did just that.

The thing's absurd.

[Frost Mage]

Yeah, I have to say this thread is kind of one-sided . I'd be happy to have someone that supports it partake in this conversation.

[leroybrown]

(This should be in my OP. My bad)

Frankly, I'm fascinated Scientology. This is because Scientology to me, seems like la la land, and its practices are far shot out of a cannon. There are dozens and dozens of youtube videos of people being harassed by Scientologists.

The tactics usually involve multiple cameras following one person in extremely close proximity. Sometimes they set up in front of someones house, with half a dozen members standing around.

I imagine these are generally rare cases, as I've only seen this phenomenon on youtube. Also, they probably only do this to people that stir up a lot of trouble for their organization, not the average Joe Scientologist.

Still, it's weird. These people don't get that.

They have a special group called "The Squirrel Hunters" to discredit one of their adversaries, Marty Rathbun (I'm 99% sure that's his name). If you see these folks, I mean, it's nuts. It's crazy. They are adults wearing silly uniforms (matching shirts and hats with silly picture on it) with the most expensive camera equipment on the market.

It's not that big of a deal but it's important to reflect on what we're doing, and to be sure it makes sense.

[Taters]

I'd say that you can't just invent some fictional nonsense and pretend it has any significance in the real world, but in the context of many religious beliefs, I guess you can. Still doesn't mean it makes any sense, though.

Interestingly, in the 1970's something called Operation Snow White happened, in which, after uncovering all the covert activity, an investigation revealed that 136 government offices and agencies were infiltrated, through wiretapping and other means, and all by the Church of Scientology, simply because, at the time, the government refused to classify Scientology as a religion, so it received none of the tax breaks associated with that. Despite that, the government did declare them a legally recognized religion in 1993. Makes you wonder if they're either really forgetful, or someone finally came into office who was buyable......

[Dean]

Like I said in the other thread, people make the choice of signing up and it's their own fault if at a later date they realise it's not for them. Some say they make you believe you are unhappy and need what their church teaches... sounds like a fair few peoples views on most religions. According to the guys and gals that knock on my door, if I don't ask forgiveness for my sins then I am going to hell. Lucky for me they have the cure for my corrupted soul!

In other words, it's not my place to spread hate on something that isn't compulsory. Blaming other people because your an idiot is not really the greatest way to redeem your intelligence. If however the church was forced upon me in such a way that it would be illegal not follow it, I would THEN be [&@%!] off and would rip it for all it's worth.

[Frost Mage]

According to the guys and gals that knock on my door, if I don't ask forgiveness for my sins then I am going to hell. Lucky for me they have the cure for my corrupted soul!

This. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Christian, but like Veck said, this is not what Christianity is about. Christianity is about love and peace, and understanding non-believers, not what the government has led us to believe.

[Lindai]

Another insanity related to Scientology that I forgot: They encourage members to break off contact with family members who are not members of Scientology. Sometimes harassing such family members.

[The_Noob]

I worshp Scientology, and am very offended by this.

[Dark Lord Cam]

I worshp Scientology

Really? Interesting.

[Frost Mage]

I worshp Scientology, and am very offended by this.

Enlighten us.

[Dean]

I worshp Scientology, and am very offended by this.

No you don't, and no you aren't.

[Dark Lord Cam]

If this is just a joke, I'm locking the thread for being a waste of time.

[leroybrown]

For the record, I made this thread to stop the Anonymous thread from derailing. If people can't be mature then I agree, lock it.