The Church of Scientology

[PurpleBasil]

It is a religion, btw, so I'm placing this post in Religious Studies.

I find most of the tenets of Scientology harmless but then, I recall a woman dying at the LA Center in their detox program and I wasn't so sure it was harmless.

Kelly Preston also went through the detox program and re-experienced her past drug abuse and all medications she'd consumed and I thought that was an interesting thing.

I'm a huge Beck fan so since he thinks Scientology is worthwhile in the midst of all his cynacism, I'm intrigued.

Any thoughts?

[lab]

I was astounded to realize that Scientologists believe in aliens!

Not that there is anything wrong with that I just never realized what the religion was about.

Anyway, they basically believe in striving to be pure enough for the original earthlings (aliens - now gone) to enter their bodies. The whole level thing is about being worthy of having these spirits inhabit you.

I read an interesting web page about it - that's where I got my info - I'll search around and see if I can find it.......

[tricia80]

I would be interested in that link... even though im pagan i do like to look at other religions and learn... ive always found religions fascinating...

[lab]

ok I'm posting some links

I'll try to post all sides so if feel like I'm being biased, just hold on and keep reading:

http://www.xenu.net/roland-intro.html

www.whatisscientology.org/

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Secrets/

http://www.religioustolerance.org/scientol.htm

www.scientology.org/

http://www.fzaoint.net/

http://www.holysmoke.org

FYI - I could not find the site I referenced (it has been years). The sites in this post have not been viewed by me! I want to make clear that I do NOT endorse them.

Basically, all I've done is make things easier on those who want to check out scientology!

[pugmadmama]

Here is a link that explains the Scientologist belief in Aliens and what effect they believe that is having on us now.

I am wary of how expensive it is to move to up the levels in Scientology. Apparently, it can cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands dollars to get to the highest levels. I am also wary of how Scientology seems to spend a lot of money trying to shut down it's critics

You can read more about Scientology
here at their offical website. Or here, and here for a different pov on Scientology.

[SaveTheWild]

There was a front page article in Time magazine a number o f years ago that stated that Scientology is a scam, and a cult out to get money from the trusting folks who join (L. Ron hubbard is quoted as calling new recruits "raw meat"). I will see if I can find it and post a link. (its often hard to find links for scientology info, because the Church of Secintology is infamous for its aggressive legal actions against anyone who posts information about them on the web...)

edited to add: here it is: http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Fishman/time-behar.html

The article characterizes the "church" as "a ruthless global scam" and states that "The Church of Scientology, started by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard to 'clear' people of unhappiness, portrays itself as a religion. In reality the church is a hugely profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner."
Of couse its possible that "Time" got it all wrong and that it is totally innocent and benevolent...but I have my doubts.

Also, there are also numerous court opinions where judges state on the record, or include in their written opinions, that L. Ron Hubbard was a pathological liar and that most of the positive information about him was outright falsehoods spread by himself.

[Midnight Mom]

My uncle got involved in scientology when he was about 18 yerars old. He tried to cut off all ties with the family, but my grandma sent her three older boys down to Houston to go get him and bring him home. And they did just that. I don't know how they found him, but they basically kidnapped him (took him against his will) and brought him home. The family was then able to bring him back to his senses.

To me that is very scary!

IMO, you shouldn't have to pay or cut off ties with your family to follow a so-called "spiritual" path.

[eilonwy]

I'm not sure if this is true or not, but this is what I heard: L. Ron Hubbard and Robert A. Heinlein, two science fiction writiers, made a bet with each other to see who could start a religion first. Hubbard wrote "Dianetics" and Heinlein wrote "Stranger in a Strange Land". Hubbard won the bet, but personally I think Stranger is a much better book. :LOL

[SaveTheWild]

eilonwy --

Yeah, and I have also read numerous statements attributed to him where he stated that the fastest way to get rich is to start a religion. Apparently when he died he was worth $640 million.

From the Boston Herald: http://www.rickross.com/reference/sc...y/Scien32.html

[misfit]

The actual beliefs of Scientology are listed here:

http://www.scientology.org/en_US/rel...ism/pg008.html

ETA:
Regarding pugmadmama's money question:
http://www.scientology.org/en_US/rel...ism/pg028.html

[pugmadmama]

Originally Posted by misfit

The actual beliefs of Scientology are listed here:

http://www.scientology.org/en_US/rel...ism/pg008.html

ETA:
Regarding pugmadmama's money question:
http://www.scientology.org/en_US/rel...ism/pg028.html

I don't think you can rely on the Scientologist website for truly comprehensive answers.

For example, if I wanted to learn about Catholism, I wouldn't only read the Vaticans official website. I think former members and investigative reports have as much (more?) to teach us as offical websites do.

[PikkuMyy]

The best way to learn about Scientology is to watch some of the video footage that aired after that woman's death with interviews with the SCientology PR people. SCARY STUFF!!!

BTW - in becoming "pure", you must recall everything you've ever done wrong (which gets taped) and make up stuff if you haven't been that bad. Then when you don't want to give them money or want to leave, they have things to blackmail you with!

My ex did a lot of research into it - it's really horrible.

[lilmiss'mama]

I found some info on scientology by accident recently. I was looking on line for outdoor schools for kids who have drug/discipline problems. There was one in Reserve New Mexico that got shut down. It was run by scientologists and there are two other schools with the same name run in California. There were reports of sexual abuse and the way some people were talking made scientology seem like a scary cult. I'll try and find the links for the articles.

[lilmiss'mama]

http://members.chello.nl/mgormez/chi...dmolester.html
http://www.xenutv.com/interviews/astra-5.htm
http://www.skeptictank.org/gen3/gen01983.htm
This is what I was referring to.

[bunnybartlett]

I havent read all the links....

so I don't know if it tells in those...but aren't there a lot of big name stars who belong to the church of sci??? or am I thinking of something else....

Linda

[Midnight Mom]

Yes, many big name stars are scientologists.
John Travolta
Kelly Preston - his wife
Tom Cruise
Kirstie Alley
...and I know there are more I can't think of.

[stafl]

I don't think they are a scary cult - I think they are the ultimate MLM scheme! Selling happiness, of all things! And, then they get the added bonus of being non-profit and tax free... :

[Midnight Mom]

I tend to think they are a bit more than a multi-level marketing scheme. (I think that's what MLM stands for??) I mean you can quite/leave marykay, or tupperware or pampered chef whenever you want. Those are just businesses. This organization tries to intrude and take over so much if not your entire life. Cut off ties with family, etc. That totally says cult to me.

[lilmiss'mama]

Did anyone read the links I posted? Just wondering what others thought of them and if they were credible.

[Clarity]

I was very angry when Scientology took over the Cult Awareness Network, silencing a group critical of many cult-like religious movements, including Scientology. You don't have to scratch hard to find ex-members or journalists who have been visited by extremely agressive Scientology lawyers. *Not* an ethical organization from what I've read. I'm generally a live and let live kind of person when it comes to religion, but how they treat outsiders and former believers is how I form a more negative opinion of even "mainstream" religions.