It is controlling peoples lives .. sucking away their money ... and in general retarding the brains of its members ... and by the tens of thousands ... therefore it is not a joke ...
I agree with you. To me, it seems like a scheme to get money, I heard a while ago that a man that made the book about Scientology bet someone that he could make a religion out of it. Some of the things I read about it just seems like what you would read when reading your horoscope!
You should have respect for all peoples beliefs....though a church that has a massive "Celebrity" Center is a little strange...and they audit members....???? What do they AUDIT????
Isn't Tom Cruise enough of a reason? I mean, it IS normal to jump up and down on furniture on national television. Isn't it? That doesn't show any sign of any sort of unresolved mental issues. Or does it?
I try SO hard to respect other people's beliefs, but out of all the religions, this one seems the most potentially oppressive, the most superficial (Hollywood), and the most ridiculous.
In the words of so many anti-shoplifting ads, "It's not a joke, a prank, or a thrill. It's a crime." Scientology is one of the most damaging movements in American today. It's a cash scam specifically designed for and targeted at the mentally ill. For more info on this dangerous cult, check out the link below.
EDIT:
outfitter: I'd like to read that Columbia study if you have a link to it. You may have it confused with another study. To my knowledge, the only published study of the psychological effects of diabetics was "A Statistical Analysis of the Effect of Dianetic Therapy as Measured by Group Tests of Intelligence, Mathematics and Personality" by Harvey Fisher of NYU (it's CLOSE to Columbia, geographically) in 1953. You can read the whole thing here:
If you don't feel like reading a whole boring study, here's Mr. Fisher's conclusions:
"(1) diabetic therapy does not exert a systematic influence either favorably or adversely upon intellectual functioning;
(2) diabetic therapy does not exert a systematic influence either favorably or adversely upon mathematical ability; and
(3) diabetic therapy does not exert a systematic influence either favorably or adversely upon the degree of personality conflicts."
Because religion is not a joke to those that follow it's teachings, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Judging an others religion when you dint know about it is playing with fire. After all you dint hear me crack in wise that Jesus was nailed to some 2x4s.
its kind of cult sh in away. but hey if they want to do that and try to find a reason for being here and not intrude on any one what is the harm in that.
Scientology is a belief system like anything else. We may not approve of the practices that are a part of it, and if any of them can be tackled legally I'm sure they will be. Tolerance for choices can only continue as long as those beliefs do not cause harm to people.
In general, from a personal point of view, I am always highly sceptically of all organized religions. I am suspicious of hierarchy in a religious sense and don't believe that religions should be a profit making venture. Neither is it acceptable to target venerable and impressionable people for the express purpose of an easy conversion. Belief is a choice, religious tolerance is a right.
Its a "religion" for superficial, wealthy people. Okay, its not really a religion, its a rich man's cult. Unfortunately, it's quite harmful, given that it at tracks mentally ill people, then tells them not to use the drugs they need. I see lawsuits in the future, rich, crazy people like to sue.
No, I cannot give you a reason. Any 'thing' that tries find answers in its own self should be questioned. If your TV is broke, do you tell it to fix itself? Nope, You take it to the manufacturer who knows its in and outs. God, the father of Jesus the Christ, is our designer and maker. Trust on Him to fix your problems. He sees all and knows all.
I am usually very open to other peoples' beliefs, whatever they may be, but I have real issues with Scientology - I've heard too many horror stories from people who have left the religion and I cannot find anything in their practices that makes sense. Also, it seems purely wrong to charge so much money for people to learn things that will supposedly make them better - wouldn't anyone who was truly happy want to make everyone else happy for free?
It's a cult, and it's dangerous, and virtually every anti-cult group agreed until Scientology started suing them, and when that didn't work, buying the companies out - they now own the main anti-cult network in America. If that isn't the sign of a group with something to hide, I don't know what is!
As with everything in life, the test is to go and check it out for yourself. Scientology started with L.Ron Hubbard's DIANETICS in 1949. This is the only book to have become a New York Times best-seller in 2 different decades-1950s and 1980s. Show me a person in human history who went about playing jokes with innocent people producing a masterpiece of that proportions.
"By actual demographic studies, Scientology is the fastest growing religion in the history of mankind"(LRH)(Joke?)
There are numerous testimonials of people making rapid spiritual progress in life by following Scientology principles. One of the earliest of these was a Columbia University study in 1950s that documented actual rise in IQ of people who had underwent Auditing, the basic Scientology method. Scientology has come a long way since than. In 1970s, L. Ron Hubbard re-wrote these advanced techniques in New Era Dianetics(NED). Today, you can actually walk on the "bridge" to total freedom.
Well, I can, but I would like to point out that I am not interested in doing so, or in defending it or giving "good reasons" for Scientology against your opinion of it.
Opinions are just opinions, and while it is OK to have opinions, you should be aware that they may or may not be based on facts. ( and even if they are based on facts, they are still just opinions)
Having said that, here are some facts about Scientology.
You are free to have whatever opinion you wish to have however.
Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. This is different from a religious practice. All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosophy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on any ones faiths of beliefs particularly in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the individual, which is why you can be a practicing Jew or Atheist,for example and still use and apply the principles of Scientology in your life. It does not conflict. If anything it will enhance your understanding of your chosen religious practice.
And it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.
It is a non denominational religion . The dictionary definition that applies:
Religion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognizes the existence of superhuman power or powers.
The most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.
The whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individuals understanding and awareness of himself. And thereby his native abilities .
When you do this the sphere and zone of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.
How this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit.
He completed his research before his death in 1986 and left all of his results and copyrights
to the Church of Scientology along with most of his considerable estate., when he died.
He published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"
There are currently over 8 million Scientologists in more that 150 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 55 years old.
The true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:
1. A philosopher develop es a philosophy about life and death.
2. People find it interesting.
3. People find it works.
4. People pass it along to others.
5. It grows.
I think Scientology is a joke can someone give me a good reason why it is not?
