I belive its an evil cult which only exists to make money, and will do so even if it means impeding on other people's rights.
Tom Cruise FTL
Tom Cruise FTL
Poll
Is Scientology a cult?
| It is a dangerous cult which threatens democracy | 37% | 37% - 21 | ||||
| Its a cult but its memebers are only hurting themselves | 48% | 48% - 27 | ||||
| Its not a cult; its more like a club | 5% | 5% - 3 | ||||
| It's (belive it or not) a real religion! | 8% | 8% - 5 | ||||
| Total: 56 | ||||||
It threatens democracy as much as me and my freedom hating ways do...not very much.
Sadly religion is used by many in power for their own purpose. Like gaining power threw followers and gaining wealth at the same time.
I'm hoping they all commit a mass suicide to venture off into outer space. At least we'd have a reprieve from any more Tom Cruise movies.
Define "CULT" in real words. Then explain if scientology falls under those definitions. Take note, it does not.
If it IS a cult, is that bad? Is there not good and bad cults? What makes it good or bad, your opinion? My opinion?
You gotta bring us real meat to debate buddy.
If it IS a cult, is that bad? Is there not good and bad cults? What makes it good or bad, your opinion? My opinion?
You gotta bring us real meat to debate buddy.
I wouldn't categorise it as any of the above options. It is a very dodgy, laughable cult. But it is dangerous to those it lures in, although certainly not to democracy.
It is bad and should be stopped.
A jihad on the scientologists!!!!
It is bad and should be stopped.
A jihad on the scientologists!!!!
What's so bad about it? Last I checked, they didn't let their children die because their religious beliefs hold that blood transfusions were against God (JWs).
Is there an article that someone read on the toilet that spawned this conversation?
Is there an article that someone read on the toilet that spawned this conversation?
Cult - nounIRONCHEF wrote:
Define "CULT" in real words. Then explain if scientology falls under those definitions. Take note, it does not.
If it IS a cult, is that bad? Is there not good and bad cults? What makes it good or bad, your opinion? My opinion?
1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
7. the members of such a religion or sect.
8. any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.
It is bad. It exploits its members and requires you to pay to progress within the organisation, which they claim will make you more happy. Exploiting peoples beliefs for profit is evil and they should all be beaten to death with their E-Meters.
the whole idea of paying money to "move up a stage" makes it kinda scary i mean religion is the last thing u should have to pay for
ALL you need to know about scientology is right here in this little CARTOON:
http://www.zipperfish.com/free/yaafm11.php
http://www.zipperfish.com/free/yaafm11.php
Well, if people find the progress to be meaningful, then it shouldn't matter if it costs money. Requiring money (10%) has long been a religious principle in judeo-christian theology, so that means this religion is not unorthodox, and therefore doesn't qualify as a cult really. I don't want to become a member or anything, but it's adherents don't have to do give anything if they don't want to, so it's hardly exploitation.Bertster7 wrote:
Cult - nounIRONCHEF wrote:
Define "CULT" in real words. Then explain if scientology falls under those definitions. Take note, it does not.
If it IS a cult, is that bad? Is there not good and bad cults? What makes it good or bad, your opinion? My opinion?
1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
7. the members of such a religion or sect.
8. any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.
It is bad. It exploits its members and requires you to pay to progress within the organisation, which they claim will make you more happy. Exploiting peoples beliefs for profit is evil and they should all be beaten to death with their E-Meters.
Look, I want Katie Holmes back in the normal fold too, but this religion is hardly a threat to anyone. It's them jesus camp bastards that are a danger to this country and the world. I'd gladly take scientology leaders over extremist christians.
L Ron Hubbard was pretty cool though, have you ever read Battlefield Earth? It was a pretty good book.
It was a pretty shitty movie.Paco_the_Insane wrote:
L Ron Hubbard was pretty cool though, have you ever read Battlefield Earth? It was a pretty good book.
Its a scam, a con, L ron hubbard said it himself, he just made it to make money, everyone in it is either brainwashed or there to make money.
Well it cannot be a religion because they do not belive in any sort of supreme being. Xeni does not count because his is closer to a Sith Lord than a Deity, he is Scientology's equivelent to Emperor Palpetine.
They entice people in with free 'personality and stress tests', after which they tell you that you are unhappy and need to become a scientologist to be happy. I and several of my friends have taken these tests and all of us were told pretty much the same thing, apart from one guy I know who was told he was evil (he's gay and they don't like that). I found the whole process quite amusing, I was keen to get a stress test after seeing the Southpark episode on Scientology.IRONCHEF wrote:
Well, if people find the progress to be meaningful, then it shouldn't matter if it costs money. Requiring money (10%) has long been a religious principle in judeo-christian theology, so that means this religion is not unorthodox, and therefore doesn't qualify as a cult really. I don't want to become a member or anything, but it's adherents don't have to do give anything if they don't want to, so it's hardly exploitation.
Look, I want Katie Holmes back in the normal fold too, but this religion is hardly a threat to anyone. It's them jesus camp bastards that are a danger to this country and the world. I'd gladly take scientology leaders over extremist christians.
Preying on the sort of individuals who would be convinced by this sort of bullshit, for profit, is simply evil.
They are an evil brainwashing psuedo-religion and it should be banned.
I agree 'Jesus camp bastards' and other religious extremists (such as islamic fanatics) are very dangerous too, but they are well established religions. We have a chance to stop this exploitative cult right now.
enemy cult spotted
It's hard to call it a "cult", and at the same time, it's damned hard NOT to, because I have to agree with the majority of the posters, scientology sux.
It preys on the weak and the lost. It "steals" from its members (apparently) for no higher purpose, and once you no longer have any more money to give, you're summarily set aside, and your "personal happiness" is no longer important to them.
Having spoken to former members who are now fortunately out of the system, I can only say that they have all regretted their "stay", some have felt psychologically abused, and most have felt monetarily robbed. At least one feel that actual brainwashing had taken place, as she could not recognize herself when she looked back at the things she had done in the "cult".
Is this "religion" then threaening democracy ? I doubt it. Is it immoral or unethical in its nature ? I believe so. The two are neither exclusive nor interconnected. I may be wrong, in my conception, but as of yet, very few countries have "banned" scientology. And I can understand why. I see very little real difference between a clever TV evangelist and a scientology group. They're BOTH extorting money from their followers in the best way they see fit. However, I believe that scientology HAS stepped over the line when they refuse you "access to happiness" if you dont pay them.
It preys on the weak and the lost. It "steals" from its members (apparently) for no higher purpose, and once you no longer have any more money to give, you're summarily set aside, and your "personal happiness" is no longer important to them.
Having spoken to former members who are now fortunately out of the system, I can only say that they have all regretted their "stay", some have felt psychologically abused, and most have felt monetarily robbed. At least one feel that actual brainwashing had taken place, as she could not recognize herself when she looked back at the things she had done in the "cult".
Is this "religion" then threaening democracy ? I doubt it. Is it immoral or unethical in its nature ? I believe so. The two are neither exclusive nor interconnected. I may be wrong, in my conception, but as of yet, very few countries have "banned" scientology. And I can understand why. I see very little real difference between a clever TV evangelist and a scientology group. They're BOTH extorting money from their followers in the best way they see fit. However, I believe that scientology HAS stepped over the line when they refuse you "access to happiness" if you dont pay them.
Dianetics, yo buttcheeks is warm
Okay well I apologise for not saying why it is a threat to democracy. Now in scientology hubbard said that you have to identify critics and hunt them down rentlessly until they stop criticizing you. Many of Scientology's critics report that on numerous occasions they were picketed, blackmailed, slandered and sometimes even reported being attacked physically (ussaully by getting rocks thrown into thier windows). If an organization that goes to such lenghts to end being criticized is certainly a threat to freedom of speech and thus a threat to democracy. Scientology is fortunately banned in Germany, Russia, Belgium and I think France for these (and other reasons). However because of these bannings Scientology has sued the governments of these countries, always losing because in the end they are defined as a cult and that prevents them from being allowed to stay. Thank you.
Hail Xenu!!! But only so he won't come get me in his intergalactic space vessel that looks like an old passenger plane, freeze me, and throw me into a volcano. Other than that, Hubbard is a little boy touching genius!!!
all world religions start off as cults. but scientology is awful and anybody who believes in it needs to hold their breath indefinately
It's a cult. It hurts its members, and occasionally, non-members.