I find its celeb practitioners to be wacky but I looked at it with an open mind (hard to do, I know) and saw that it did say some good stuff, as long as you take everything in it as completely symbolic and not literal. And if you cut out the weird level thing. It's not my cup of tea but it's not wholly without merit so ...
In a world that is so developed, where you get people who believe in the concept of God - I am not surprised. At least on Scientology you get proof. Believing something without faith is Blind Faith.
I look at Scientology the same way I look at Tom Cruise..it's stupid, it's insane, but yet it's worth a crap load of money and everybody seems to be talking about it on a daily basis.
How can anyone take any organized religion seriously?
As a race, we need something to believe in, even if it is way out there. Just take a look around you! There is so much wacky stuff out there that i am sure that you cant even begin to comprehend most of it (i know i cant). We all live the life that is true to us. We are all different, and your truth may not be my truth.
It is lack of acceptance and bashing like this that causes the rift that divides us all. There is one thing that all of us need to consider before passing such harsh judgments on each other; we all came from the same place. All of us have one maker, and as important as the destination is, it is the journey that makes this experience here, in our earthly bodies great.
If there was mutual acceptance and understanding when it comes to our differences, events like 9-11 and the war in Iraq, would never take place. With acceptance comes patience, with patience comes love and understanding.
I am not into Scientology, but i accept that is the path that some choose to follow. I do not Judge them or think that they are "wacko", i accept the fact that they are living the life that is true to them.
Compared to what? And when did you talk to them?
Its got a great course that can turn mumbling faltering social inputs into self-confident public speakers. And that's just the first course.
Do you actually want an answer to your question???????
Or are you content to just share your "fixed opinion" with
the few individuals on this forum who agree with it.
Either way..... here's why:
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,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.
You can have no specific religious beliefs and still benefit from using it.
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. The basic religious philosophy and knowledge of Scientology is very old, going back 10,000 years at least to the Veda or Vedic Hymns from the East. The development of the technology is new.
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.
As to the rest of the bogus B.S. about Scientology that you seem to enjoy so much, as a Scientologist I can only comment......
How can anyone actually take THAT seriously ?
Theta we take court trials, ex-member affidavits, official bodies and government investigations seriously, do you? Have you read them?
It is 'wacko' but you have to understand the have a very good and well-rehearsed recruitment program, using an array of sophisticated social control techniques to get and keep in you the cult. People don't have to stupid, depressed or suffering to get caught into Scientology. Scientologists are also very nice people on the whole, as they joined Scientology to improve themselves and the world, but unfortunately Hubbard has deceived them, even passed the grave.
Here is an article on why someone might join Scientology:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/personal_story/funkydonny.html
And sorry for posting these links as they aren't nice, but it shows why people have to take it seriously:
http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/
http://www.whyaretheydead.net
Here are some good critical sites:
http://www.xenu.net
http://www.xenutv.com
http://www.lermanet.com
You better start taking it seriously or else you will be doomed to live out your days plagued with "engrams" (false memories), never experiencing the joy of "auditing", and certainly never getting to hang with Cruise, Travolta, or their buddy Xenu.
How can anyone take Scientology seriously??????????
