The Church of Scientology - Page 2

[stafl]

There was a really good three-hour long Biography Extra about Scientology on A&E a while back. I thought it was well-balanced and showed both sides of the story. Funny, it hasn't been aired again since... :

[misfit]

I'm a little confused as to the purpose of this thread.

Is this a discussion about what the spiritual beliefs of Scientologists are?

Or is this a discussion about whether or not you approve of their religion, think it is a religion, or agree with them?

[Midnight Mom]

Originally Posted by misfit

I'm a little confused as to the purpose of this thread.

Is this a discussion about what the spiritual beliefs of Scientologists are?

Or is this a discussion about whether or not you approve of their religion, think it is a religion, or agree with them?

All of the above, IMO. The original post just asked for "any thoughts" about scientology.

I think some people's thoughts are about their beliefs and some people's thoughts are about the whole cult/religion thing.

Just my .02 cents.

[misfit]

I see -- thanks for clarifying that point. I shouldn't have joined this discussion then, actually, since I don't take part in that kind of conversation about any religion. One person's weird idea is another person's deep-seated spiritual conviction, YKWIM?

Playdoh, I do have more info on the topic and you're welcome to PM me if you like. But I can't join the debate.

[PurpleBasil]

Okay, thanks misfit.

I was asking for any and all, fwiw. I didn't know hardly anything about Scientology when I first posted this OP. I heard that it requires birthing in silence (and Kelly Preston allegedly did just that) and no psych drugs.

Thank you all for the great links and info. Helped me make a more informed opinion on this religion.

[milk4two]

** I heard that it requires birthing in silence **

Whatever for?

[lifeissweet]

People like to take Scientology with a grain of salt, because if they took it seriously, as it should be, they couldn't handle it. I accidentally crossed a Scientologist once. I didn't even know he was one, along with his family and all of his business associates, until after I made an innocent mistake. I was placed on L. Ron Hubbard's list of enemies and made "Fair Game" which is their policy that any Scientologist is above the law and may do anything including physical harm to an "enemy wog" they see fit as repayment. Non Scientologists are called "wogs" -- akin to the "N" word in white racist parlance. Scientologist children are routinely abused, forced to hit themsleves over and over again at the site of any event or physical pain to make them desensitize to it. In the Sea Organization they are malnourished and neglected for weeks by their parents who have to work 100 hours per week and are forbidden to see their own children.

If you want to know the truth about Scientology, read www.xenu.net. That IS the truth - with many people who have escaped Scientology after decades of brainwashing - to tell the tale.

It is evil. They almost ruined my life.

[PurpleBasil]

Originally Posted by milk4two

** I heard that it requires birthing in silence **

Whatever for?

From what I heard, it's traumatic for the baby to have sounds.

Thank you, lifeissweet. Very meaningful post you wrote. I'm glad you posted here.

[applejuice]

Originally Posted by 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.

I heard a news report once, immediately before their break-up, that Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman quietly announced their intention to break all ties with the Church of Scientology. I have not heard that story since.

You can add to that list Lisa Marie Presley, and Giovanni Ribisi, and Karen Black.

When I was in my last year in college, out of curiosity, I wandered into a Scientology center In Burbank on the Golden Mall. It was next door to the Health Food Store I frequented. I took their personality test and I was given the results. I was told by this "auditor" that I was near death and that I needed Scientology to live, i.e., using their "tone scale".

This made me laugh.

I have nothing against the basic beliefs of Scientology, but this is a hard sell, and a nasty, rude way to recruit vulnerable people. I have since read Dianetics, and it is a good book; I appreciate the fact that they teach self-reliance and healthy eating habits. The concepts are logical but the proselyzing technique leaves much to be desired.

I received letters and phone calls for years at my parents' home after that, even though I graduated from college and got married a few months after this little encounter. That was thirty years ago. I am not dead yet.

I have had many friends who are Scientologists and I simply make it very CLEAR (this is a big buzz word in Scientology) to them that I am not interested in joining their church.

I use the same attitiude with LDS and JW's.