[JoshuaZ]

Wow. Hollywood is one messed up and very hot cousin filled place.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Face Ache

Why are people of religion generally the sharpest critics of other religions? Can't stand the competition?

You act as if Scientology were a religion...

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by analogika

You act as if Scientology were a religion...

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny; "he lost his faith but not his morality"

religion

[ReggieX]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Wow. Hollywood is one messed up and very hot cousin filled place.

So is Shelbyville!

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Pendergast

religion

Oh cool, a semantics argument. This never happens.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Pendergast

religion

Most European governments have decided that Scientology does NOT meet the definition of "religion", and is thus taxed like any other business.

Furthermore, at least the German government has realized that their business aims are essentially undemocratic and anti-constitutional, and that they thus warrant observation by government agencies.

Scientology retaliated with a holocaust-themed ad campaign, endorsed by a number of US celebrities, featuring pictures of concentration camps, as well as side-by-sides of Third-Reich and modern German politicians, and headlines to match.

That didn't exactly help their standing.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

[Face Ache]

Originally Posted by analogika

You act as if Scientology were a religion...

Set of beliefs. Made-up shît to keep the clueless in line.

You know what I mean.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Face Ache

Made-up shît to keep the clueless in line.

Yes I agree that is Scientology. But what does it have to do with legitimate religion?

Or are you just attempting to start a flame feast?

[forkies]

Originally Posted by Kevin

legitimate religion

nice

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by forkies

nice

Are you wanting a legitimate discussion, or are you happy with just being trollish?

I mean come on. Are you that insecure?

[jjlannoo]

Scientology is Beyond stupid,but so are all the other organized religions. I don't see any difference between them. They are all about control and money based on a bunch of Man made stories that play on our fears. LOL

[forkies]

i'm not the one claiming to know what legitimate (and, hence illegitimate) religion is. how my pointing that out makes me insecure, i'm not quite sure

no one wants you in here

i guess peter & i have a fan club now

[Face Ache]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Yes I agree that is Scientology. But what does it have to do with legitimate religion?

It's all made up, Kevin.

Hate to break it to ya, but so is Santa.

[Arty50]

You are all sooo suuuuuued!!!!!!

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Face Ache

It's all made up, Kevin.

You mean, you have faith it is. Just like I have faith it isn't.

Your faith just seems to be a bit stronger than mine. Treating it as fact and all.

I commend your faith.

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by analogika

Most European governments have decided that Scientology does NOT meet the definition of "religion", and is thus taxed like any other business.

Furthermore, at least the German government has realized that their business aims are essentially undemocratic and anti-constitutional, and that they thus warrant observation by government agencies.

Scientology retaliated with a holocaust-themed ad campaign, endorsed by a number of US celebrities, featuring pictures of concentration camps, as well as side-by-sides of Third-Reich and modern German politicians, and headlines to match.

That didn't exactly help their standing.

I do agree with you. The definition of eligion I used is indeed a very loose one. But I am not sure how important it is to debate on Scientology's "religious" status. It's Godless for sure, but it has several aspects shared with other religions.

Now, whether Scientology is a legitimate, I'd say it is a younger religion, and therefore, it's legitimacy is made from popularity, rather than longevity, like Islam, Christianity, etc...

[Kevin]

It's not that popular. It bosts and makes up it's numbers.

It just has some high profile members.

[chris v]

Originally Posted by Pendergast

but it has several aspects shared with other religions.

Indeed it does. The excersise a whithering power over their flock, they drain said flock of all their money, they have an indecipherable hierarchy which operates in extreme secrecy, their "teachings" sort of appeared on paper out of nowhere, to be declared "divine" after the fact, and the basic tenets of their philosiphy are every bit as far-fetched as any other religion out there. It takes an extreme leap of "faith" to believe the hocus-pocus they proffer as dogma, and there's not a shred of real proof that any single bit of what they say is true.

Yes, it resembles other religions in that way.

But they're in actuality one of the most dangerous cults that has achieved any kind of success. There's real brainwashing involved, people are held physically under duress in re-programming centers, and real harm is done to real people who attempt to expose their illegal activities. These things are well documented for anyone with even a passing curiosity to find, and they need to be shut down, and their leaders need to be prosecuted.

[Kevin]

No place I ever been to try to drain me of my money.

[chris v]

Originally Posted by Kevin

No place I ever been to try to drain me of my money.

I didn't say ALL other religions. Maybe you're lucky, and have found a good church. That's nice, and I mean that sincerely.

Catholics are supposed to tithe ~10% of their earnings. The Vatican has accumulated wealth beyond imagination. Televangelists urge little old ladies to "Dig deep into that pocket, find that LAST DIME and send it to ME!" Collection plates go around at most churches, and the biggest of the new Evangelical churches are awash with money, extracted from members. These people give willingly, I know, and my post wasn't meant to be an indictment of your church. I was just noting a similarity between scientology and other religions.

The Scientologists are actually worse than all the Christian churches by far, when it comes to the sheer amount of money they extract from their membership.

I have no idea how much Muslims and Hindus are expected to tithe.

[Kevin]

Belong to no church... not a big fan of organized religion.

[Arty50]

Originally Posted by chris v

Catholics are supposed to tithe ~10% of their earnings.

Huh? I attended Catholic schools from 1st grade all the way through college, and I've never heard of this. Tithing went the way of the dinosaur long ago. I could go to church everyday, not drop a dime in the collection basket, and never hear about it. Things have changed since the dark ages.

That's not to say that some pastors don't beg for money, but attending church and practicing your faith doesn't require it.

And before someone jumps on me as some zealot, I don't even go to church anymore nor do I really practice that faith.

[Caetano]

Nice little theory, but hardly valid. Vanilla Sky is based on a spanish movie, called Abre Los Ojos and it has nothing to do with Scientology. In fact, there's no similarity whatsoever between this movie and scientology. If you want to compare it to something; you can use Twelve Monkeys as a movie that has a similar theme.

Research is not just for high school papers, you know.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Arty50

Huh? I attended Catholic schools from 1st grade all the way through college, and I've never heard of this. Tithing went the way of the dinosaur long ago.

That's a nice combo, Religion and Dinosaurs.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by chris v

I have no idea how much Muslims are expected to tithe.

IIRC, 2.5% - and not to the mosque but to poor folks.

[scaught]

look. back to cody's cousin.

id totally hit it.

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by scaught

look. back to cody's cousin.

id totally hit it.

I'd build a religion about her.

[moonmonkey]

Please be careful full what you say about Scientology, if you are the enemy you are fair game, and once that happens they will ruin your life.i'm only joking

[::maroma::]

What if...?

What if Tom Cruise is actually undercover? What if he's getting himself as deep as he can into Scientology so that he can later come out and expose this farce of a religion for what it is? What if he's acting like a mindless monkey dancing in front of the cameras for Mr. Hubbard just so he can get the real scoop on what Scientology is all about? What if he is going to bring down Scientology once and for all and we're all going to praise him for his personal dedication and sacrifice?

What if...?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by ::maroma::

What if...?

What if Tom Cruise is actually undercover? What if he's getting himself as deep as he can into Scientology so that he can later come out and expose this farce of a religion for what it is? What if he's acting like a mindless monkey dancing in front of the cameras for Mr. Hubbard just so he can get the [i]real[/] scoop on what Scientology is all about? What if he is going to bring down Scientology once and for all and we're all going to praise him for his personal dedication and sacrifice?

What if...?

If so, he deserves an oscar.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by scaught

look. back to cody's cousin.

id totally hit it.

Cody isn't too shabby herself.

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Cody isn't too shabby herself.

I smell a 3-way!

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by ::maroma::

I smell a 3-way!

What do they smell like?

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

Please be careful full what you say about Scientology, if you are the enemy you are fair game, and once that happens they will ruin your life.i'm only joking

I doubt they're going to come after some random Joe posting on a Macintosh web board.

[Face Ache]

Originally Posted by Kevin

What do they smell like?

Depends on where you shop.

[Face Ache]

I've done one of Scientology's "free personality tests". I can see how weak-minded people could get sucked in.

I got the feck out of there.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Face Ache

I've done one of Scientology's "free personality tests". I can see how weak-minded people could get sucked in.

I got the feck out of there.

Heh. When I do stuff like that they end up kicking me out. I'm an OUTCAST I tell you!

[Face Ache]

When the cults don't want you...

[paul w]

Originally Posted by Face Ache

I've done one of Scientology's "free personality tests". I can see how weak-minded people could get sucked in.

I got the feck out of there.

they were in the Times Square subway station for a while. I did one of their little tests, it was HILARIOUS. They actually had some of those Emeters! Wow those look cheap!

[chris v]

Originally Posted by paul w

they were in the Times Square subway station for a while. I did one of their little tests, it was HILARIOUS. They actually had some of those Emeters! Wow those look cheap!

Did you peg the thing, or what? Is it like "Whoa! The E-meter says you REALLY need our help BAD!"

[ism]

Originally Posted by Kevin

What do they smell like?

Moist

[nredman]

Originally Posted by Kevin

What do they smell like?

i can't believe you went there

[wdlove]

Tom Cruise should just be quiet and act.

[jedi2187]

I couldn't resist...

[Stogieman]

Originally Posted by wdlove

Tom Cruise should just be quiet and act.

Hahaha... Tom Cruise in "The Last Samurai Mime"

[Arty50]

Originally Posted by wdlove

Tom Cruise should just be quiet and act.

I'd prefer if he skipped the acting part altogether.

[swrate]

Originally Posted by Pendergast

I do agree with you. The definition of eligion I used is indeed a very loose one. But I am not sure how important it is to debate on Scientology's "religious" status. It's Godless for sure, but it has several aspects shared with other religions.

Now, whether Scientology is a legitimate, I'd say it is a younger religion, and therefore, it's legitimacy is made from popularity, rather than longevity, like Islam, Christianity, etc...

yes, rituals, prayers, .....


I would say they were legitime and popular.
Communities, sects, scientology, spread around here over two decades ago: Hubbard, Moon, Hare Krishna’s, OTS others….
Moon is forbidden since a few years, so is Hubbard, I think Hare Krishna’s are tolerated in certain cities and OTS, (Ordre du Temple Solaire) well after the dramas that happened are suspect.

Scientology is a business. They were many local sects at a time and often a few years later the gurus were put into jail for having abused materially and sometimes physically their followers.

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by swrate

yes, rituals, prayers, .....
(...)
Scientology is a business. They were many local sects at a time and often a few years later the gurus were put into jail for having abused materially and sometimes physically their followers.

Absolutely, no question. However, people draw comfort from whatever belief they feel suits them, whatever the cost.

Christian Monks leave behind their sexuality, other beliefs move most responsibilities to men, and Scientology takes cash only. Still, all these beliefs have in common that they provide answers that suits people, at least for a while.

I am not saying Scientology is an equivalent to all other religions, but rather, that it shares a lot with other religions.

20 years ago, when in College, we invited a Scientologist to explain the belief. It was very intereting, but the guy was also very manipulative... In Toronto, I lived one block from their headquarters on Yonge street. They always seem to b under some building renovation. And there were a few guys on the other side of the street claiming they had to fell from the US because of Scientology.

They are funny guys with funny gizmos, with beliefs that seem completely disconnected from reality imho.

But people find salvation wherever it suits them...

[Kevin]

We all have a void to fill. We can choose to fill it with what we wish. Anything can be our religion. Be it actual religion, or be it computers, or "owning things"

So if you really want to get that deep into it, being "really into computers" is like Scientology too.