...Scientology....

[Buttons*]

I just read up on it...

I dont like to criticize individuals' religions or beliefs... but nothing logically comes out of that to me... I dont know if i'd follow the teachings of a science fiction writer...

The thing that did it was the E-meter... wow...

Anyone want to stick up for this belief?

 

[A. Leaf]

As long as the conclusion is Love which is the basis of all religion I suppose its ok.

 

[C&N]

As long as the conclusion is Love which is the basis of all religion I suppose its ok.

No it's not ok if a religion is solely based on love, there has to be some truth behind it. This scientology is a total scam, honestly. They believe that this intergalactic ruler named Xenu rounded up a bunch of aliens and threw them into volcanoes on the earth because there was a population crisis (they flew around in space with DC8's that had rocket engines, totally believable...), then trapped their souls and brainwashed them. And now their souls are inside people today, and those are the causes of religion and stuff.
How could L Ron Hubbard get a revelation like this out of thin air? He made it all up is how! He is probably good at it being a SCIENCE FICTION WRITER.
Oh, and that thing about Xenu I revealed just saved you all like $300,000 american and years of auditing. Your welcome.
The reason they make you wait to learn about Xenu (or Xemu, it doesnt really matter) is because if everybody knew thats what they were about, then NOBODY WOULD JOIN!

 

[Carl]

O.K lets face it, this does sound absurb to most of us and I wonder whether scientologists are provided this as a baseline story of the religion when they join, my suspicion is that they are not. My knowledge of scientology is that most who join up become interested out of a desire to better themselves by using the 'tech' (LRH's methods of learning, communication etc etc). They are probably not looking for the spiritual side and so don't ask the questions until questioning would be highly frowned upon. Scientology seems to perpetuate a viscous cycle of self discovery and self improvement, one that costs a heap of money. I can't imagine many people ever completing a scientology personality test and coming out with no recommendations that a course would help. I guess we also have to put scientology into perspective, yes it's a weird religion (and religion used in the loosest sense) but the people who seem to do well in it do very well, and the people who suffer only have themselves to blame for allowing themselves to be manipulated. When you introduce money into the frame there is always someone who will take advantage, no matter how good their intentions may seem.

 

[Mike182]

I just read up on it...

I dont like to criticize individuals' religions or beliefs... but nothing logically comes out of that to me... I dont know if i'd follow the teachings of a science fiction writer...

The thing that did it was the E-meter... wow...

Anyone want to stick up for this belief?

where did you read up on it?

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

In the 50's and 60's I enjoyed his space opera stories, the stuff he wrote was as imaginative as any around at the time.
I have only been able to smile at his attempt to write a religion.
He has come under the scrutiny of the financial authorities and the law many times in the UK who regard it as a business.
Try this site.
http://lundissimo.info/wtc/scientology.html

Terry_____________________
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.

 

[nutshell]

I think it's important when looking at another religion to remember that, even though we may think the religion odd, there are others looking at each of our religions and thinking the same things.

 

[michel]

I was just about to ask you guys to confirm that Scientology was in fact 'Dianetics', and havinbg looked at your post Terry, I see that they are.


Quite frankly, we have had great problems with them here in the South; they are 'in it' to make money............

I am sorry if that sounds judgemental, but it is my own personal experience.

 

[Sunstone]

Does Scientology have anything to its credit?

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Does Scientology have anything to its credit?

They are in credit by billons of dollars.


Terry_______________________
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Hubbard was the Richest science fiction writer in the world.
He had the best collection of camers in private hands in the world.
He was a fair photographer.
The only writer of science fiction to use one of his story lines to found a religion.

Terry___________________--
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.

 

[Halcyon]

I personally find it wrong for any religion to ask for money, i extend this to the religious tv programs, and the sale of religious works eg. the Bible. I believe the only money any religious organisation should make is through donations.

If Scientology offered their courses for free (or at the most a small amount to cover rental of a hall etc) then i would have no problem with it.

 

[Carl]

You have to admire the commitment of LR Hubbard to write so many books on such a wide range of topics. Unfortunately in reading Dianetics I found my tolerance for his style taken to the limit and therefore have not ventured again into the expansive LRH library.
Dianetics would seem to be the foundation of scientology and from what I understand LRH's word is not up for interpretation, therefore when he make statements on how homosexuals are perverted and this is a matter of fact due to unconscious memories or past life experiences I have to take issue with the scientific suggestion of the religion.
With religions I guess if something works for you then who are we to question. However scientology claims to be a science with provable results - like any science it should be open to the same rigourous testing, I'm not aware of any such independant test. Over to the guys in the church.
If someone appears to be an expert in one area why are people so willing to except that that person can be right on a diverse range of topics.

 

[ch'ang]

Scientology is as credible as any other religion, all religions are based an faith not facts

 

[The Black Whirlwind]

scientology is a very lucrative scam business with a creed, it lures in the gullible and the stupid, and you cannot advance with how great your faith is, but how big your pocketbook is. It should be stripped of religious status.

 

[Carl]

Scientology is as credible as any other religion, all religions are based an faith not facts

Not this one Ch'ang. LRH is quite clear that scientology is based on proven scientific facts - I quote "Life is a game. A game consists of freedom, barriers and purposes. This is a scientific fact, not merely an observation."
Sounds like an opinion to me.
An argument with a scientologist might go something like this:
Me:It's like me saying the moon is made of cheese with no proof
Scio you think the moon is made of cheese?
Me:No do you?
Sci:If the whole world told you the moon was made of cheese would you beleive it?

It would appear that Scientology challenges standard thinking and promotes critical thinking - not true - they promote LRH thinking. They do not profess to give you the answers but can guide you towards finding out for yourself as long as you 'stay with the program' deep pockets required.

 

[MdmSzdWhtGuy]

Scientology does sound quite silly, I grant you. Now I must admit, that my knowledge of scientology is based almost entirely on the Southpark episode I saw 2 weeks ago, but the little reading I did following that show confirmed that Matt and Trey were quite accurate in their depictions of this "religion".

But again, if you knew nothing of Christianity, and I came to you with a story of a Jewish carpenter who died 2,000 years ago, and how he was going to save your soul, then that might sound a big farfetched too, huh? Or if you had never heard of Islam, and I told you how a camel trader from the 7th century really had all the answers told to him by a god that nobody can see, feel, hear, smell or taste. Or Joe Smith getting all the answers written down on tablets that can't be found. Etc. etc. etc. . . . None of them are based on any particular facts that can be verified scientifically.

Frankly as long as you practice your religion without being harmful, or too obnoxious to your neighbors, go ahead with whatever makes you happy. I, personally am going to stick to my own brand of Rasta-Pastafarianism.

B.

 

[c0da]

L. Ron. Hubbard once said something like "A quick and easy way to make money? Just start your own religion". There was also rumours that he started scientology because a friend bet him to. Scientology is just a silly little story which people are charged absurd amounts of money to hear once they have been convinced that they have problems and need help.

 

[blueman]

I think it's important to respect one's belief, even in light of philosophical differences. I've never delved into the scientology belief system to get a better understanding of it

 

[Buttons*]

L. Ron. Hubbard once said something like "A quick and easy way to make money? Just start your own religion". There was also rumours that he started scientology because a friend bet him to. Scientology is just a silly little story which people are charged absurd amounts of money to hear once they have been convinced that they have problems and need help.

Do you know where you read that? If he really did say that it was a quick and easy way to make money... then my point is made, that it is simply a gag...