Rolling Stone did a good article on Scientology a few years back, you might want to look it up. It has Carrot Top on the cover I believe
[quote]ill wrote:
I don’t see what makes any other belief system any better or worse for that matter, just because it has existed for a long time doesn’t mean anything. But then again it is necessary for all the irrational people who can’t think for themselves, who make statements that lead you to think that there would be complete anarchy if they didn’t go to Hell as a consequence. But hey bash away.[/quote]
See, the reason I don’t put Scientology on a level with any other major religion is because I can’t think of any other religion that had the wife of the founder of the religion breaking into IRS offices to steal confidential documents in an attempt to re-gain tax exemption status, which is used in extensive public relations campaigns to try and support said religion as a bona fide religion.
I can’t think of too many major religions that are considered hostile cults in European countries. I can’t think of too many major religions that have been convicted in trial by jury of breaking breach of public trust laws (the reason I can’t think of too many is because it’s the only time it’s ever happened) for a conspiracy to infiltrate the government in Canada.
I can’t think of too many major religions that have been categorized as a cult in France’s National Assembly with the recommendation to prohibit all activities related to the church.
I can’t think of too many religions that Belgium refuses as a candidate for the status of organized religion in that country and I can’t think of too many religions that have 15 of the 16 states in Germany conducting regular surveillance upon them because of fears that they are essentially attempting to subvert the German government in Germany.
Then again, maybe my memory is just hazy. I think Muhammad and Jesus at one time hooked up and broke into Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in an attempt to cover up their use of extortion on former members of their religion. Buddha was driving the van. He was late, and Ghandi was running around in the street screaming “Where’s the fucking van!?” It’s all coming back to me, Scientology is definitely on the level with Christianity and Islam now.
A quote from the founder of Scientology. I think it says all you really need to know about it.
“If you want to make a lot of money, start your own religion” - L. Ron Hubbard
[quote]Dweezil wrote:
ill wrote:
I don’t see what makes any other belief system any better or worse for that matter, just because it has existed for a long time doesn’t mean anything. But then again it is necessary for all the irrational people who can’t think for themselves, who make statements that lead you to think that there would be complete anarchy if they didn’t go to Hell as a consequence. But hey bash away.
See, the reason I don’t put Scientology on a level with any other major religion is because I can’t think of any other religion that had the wife of the founder of the religion breaking into IRS offices to steal confidential documents in an attempt to re-gain tax exemption status, which is used in extensive public relations campaigns to try and support said religion as a bona fide religion.
I can’t think of too many major religions that are considered hostile cults in European countries. I can’t think of too many major religions that have been convicted in trial by jury of breaking breach of public trust laws (the reason I can’t think of too many is because it’s the only time it’s ever happened) for a conspiracy to infiltrate the government in Canada.
I can’t think of too many major religions that have been categorized as a cult in France’s National Assembly with the recommendation to prohibit all activities related to the church.
I can’t think of too many religions that Belgium refuses as a candidate for the status of organized religion in that country and I can’t think of too many religions that have 15 of the 16 states in Germany conducting regular surveillance upon them because of fears that they are essentially attempting to subvert the German government in Germany.
Then again, maybe my memory is just hazy. I think Muhammad and Jesus at one time hooked up and broke into Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in an attempt to cover up their use of extortion on former members of their religion. Buddha was driving the van. He was late, and Ghandi was running around in the street screaming “Where’s the fucking van!?” It’s all coming back to me, Scientology is definitely on the level with Christianity and Islam now.[/quote]
I don’t think anyone in Scientology said if you don’t donate a million dollars to my ministry God is going to call me to Heaven.
I don’t want to cast aspersions on any belief system that is working for someone. As has been said… “religion is what keeps the poor happy with their status” to paraphrase Karl Marx.
There have been crimes committed in all major religions, some in the past and some more current. More wars have been fought in the name of religion than anything else. And all religions run on money.
With a Baptist grandmother and a Jewish grandmother I really try to stay neutral and just go with what feels right.
There are major religions that are watched as terrorist organizations now, and there are some that although we don’t consider them major, are the religion of the majority of people in their region. Let’s not forget the Shining Path, scary folk. That’s just one, but a major force in South America.
If you are an adult and able to give consent then do and believe as you wish.
Piety, pettiness and hypocrisy in those religions that are so “holier than thou” is so common. There is no one set of beliefs that is going to be the ONE for every person.
Scientology is a dangerous cult. There have been many 60 Minutes reports on it, and even more independent stories of its horror and dementing propaganda.
I have studied Scientology for college, and my research has concluded it does more harm then good.
For more information,
You do know christianity was first considered a cult, right?
Consenting adults can make their own decisions.
[quote]BluePfaltz wrote:
Scientology is a dangerous cult. There have been many 60 Minutes reports on it, and even more independent stories of its horror and dementing propaganda.
I have studied Scientology for college, and my research has concluded it does more harm then good.
For more information,
[/quote]
[quote]OctoberGirl wrote:
You do know christianity was first considered a cult, right?
[/quote]
Was?
Religion scares me, but I’m all for the freedom to choose as long as it doesn’t negatively effect others.
I guess they can all have their good parts and bad parts, but I’ve personally seen more of the bad.
[quote]pookie wrote:
CLewis wrote:
Does anyone actually know what Scientology is?
A1. L. Ron Hubbard’s excellent retirement plan.
A2. A great place to find suckers with money.
A3. A religion ironically derided by other faiths as being “made up.”
[/quote]
Well said.
[quote]OctoberGirl wrote:
I don’t think anyone in Scientology said if you don’t donate a million dollars to my ministry God is going to call me to Heaven.[/quote]
There are documented cases of the Church of Scientology using various forms of extortion (whether it be threatening to make public knowledge things said in “auditing” sessions, or collecting harshly on a loan they gave out for a childs schooling) on members attempting to leave the church.
The problem with Scientology is that the majority of the practioners of the religion are actually unaware of the root beliefs of the religion. Every other major religion with far reaching historical ties provides you with either a set of texts or a main holy text. Scientologists are not aware of the actual ‘belief system’ behind their religion until they devoted too much time or money to leave.
If you can get back to me with court papers saying Mark, Idris, Sariputtastole and Moses stole documents from the IRS I’ll be sure to back off about this.
There have been attempts at subversion in the past by many religions. The Catholic Church knew of the Holocaust before many others did. Bad things happen, bad things continue to happen. People twist faith for war. However, none of the major religious entities qualify under as many of the headings used to classify cult behavior as Scientology.
And if you are a teenager who is taken off prescription mind alerting medication by an over-zealous parent at the behest of a church that has in its employ no one with any formal teaching of biochemistry or psychiatry? If you’re the child of a parent who is a member of the Church of Scientology and try to leave, but find yourself meeting ‘passive’ resistance in the form of the church leaning heavily on your parents and on you, while willing to disclose any things you’ve said in private command hypnosis sessions conducted by unlicensed professionals?
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Those that wish to know the truth and know God know in their hearts what things are of God. Likewise, they know what things are not of God.
Thank You SIR!
May I have another!
[quote]Dweezil wrote:
There are documented cases of the Church of Scientology using various forms of extortion (whether it be threatening to make public knowledge things said in “auditing” sessions, or collecting harshly on a loan they gave out for a childs schooling) on members attempting to leave the church.[/quote]
You are aware of the PTL scandals aren’t you? Do the names, Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swaggert, Baker, or Falwell mean anything to you?
And if we want to talk major religion freakiness… You do know that Mormons, and I hate bringing them up because it is just too easy, have some issues with the government. You are aware of the manhunt and eventual capture for Jeffries?
[quote]
The problem with Scientology is that the majority of the practioners of the religion are actually unaware of the root beliefs of the religion. Every other major religion with far reaching historical ties provides you with either a set of texts or a main holy text. Scientologists are not aware of the actual ‘belief system’ behind their religion until they devoted too much time or money to leave.[/quote]
I don’t think you are qualified to quantify what the “majority” of those involved in the actual religion know or don’t know.
There are hidden texts, expurgated texts and banned texts in Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. Many of those groups deny some of the more sacred texts to only those of their chosen inner workings. This is public knowledge. The Dead Sea Scrolls are still not made public and there was a council that came together that chose what books to put in the Bible.
Religion is fallible, every religion.
[quote]
If you can get back to me with court papers saying Mark, Idris, Sariputtastole and Moses stole documents from the IRS I’ll be sure to back off about this.
There have been attempts at subversion in the past by many religions. The Catholic Church knew of the Holocaust before many others did. Bad things happen, bad things continue to happen. People twist faith for war. However, none of the major religious entities qualify under as many of the headings used to classify cult behavior as Scientology.[/quote]
You don’t really think there have been no church scandals involving money do you? I don’t think even you believe that.
If you want to talk cover up let’s talk about the sexual abuse scandals over the past decade. Talk about a cover up.
Sounds like Mormonism to me… or being baptized as an infant without giving consent. Shall we talk about a bris?
I don’t want to read into your post anything you aren’t saying so I should ask, are you saying that Scientology should be abolished? That you would deny those who are happy with thier choices their freedom of religion?
I just want to understand. Maybe you aren’t advocating that and you are just stating your dislike. And… why do you care what someone else chooses for their system of faith?
[quote]MrCritical wrote:
It was started by a science fiction writer. Any questions?[/quote]
You left out the part about sitting around in boxer shorts and cowboy boots and writing his stories on toilet paper.
[quote]GhostNtheSystem wrote:
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Those that wish to know the truth and know God know in their hearts what things are of God. Likewise, they know what things are not of God.[/quote]
“The gentleman in his attitude toward all under heaven, neither favors nor disfavors anyone. He keeps close to whoever is righteous.”
“Do not treat others as you would not wish to be treated”
Confucius, 2000 years before Christ.
[quote]OctoberGirl wrote:
GhostNtheSystem wrote:
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Those that wish to know the truth and know God know in their hearts what things are of God. Likewise, they know what things are not of God.
“The gentleman in his attitude toward all under heaven, neither favors nor disfavors anyone. He keeps close to whoever is righteous.”
“Do not treat others as you would not wish to be treated”
Confucius, 2000 years before Christ.
[/quote]
Yes! God’s Spirit has always been from the beginning of time and many people before the days of Christ felt His presence. King David was certainly one! It does not suprise me at all that the Spirit of God touched upon Confucius.
“Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
~written by the prophet Isaiah many centuries before Christ
[quote]GhostNtheSystem wrote:
OctoberGirl wrote:
GhostNtheSystem wrote:
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Those that wish to know the truth and know God know in their hearts what things are of God. Likewise, they know what things are not of God.
“The gentleman in his attitude toward all under heaven, neither favors nor disfavors anyone. He keeps close to whoever is righteous.”
“Do not treat others as you would not wish to be treated”
Confucius, 2000 years before Christ.
Yes! God’s Spirit has always been from the beginning of time and many people before the days of Christ felt His presence. King David was certainly one! It does not suprise me at all that the Spirit of God touched upon Confucius.
“Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
~written by the prophet Isaiah many centuries before Christ[/quote]
oh you did good with that twist.
I respectfully disagree with you but I admire your discussion tactics.
[quote]MrCritical wrote:
It was started by a science fiction writer. Any questions?[/quote]
A very bad science fiction writer at that. I guess that’s why he needed the money.
[quote]simon-hecubus wrote:
You left out the part about sitting around in boxer shorts and cowboy boots and writing his stories on toilet paper.[/quote]
That’s when ol’ Ron realized he needed money and fast.
[quote]OctoberGirl wrote:
You are aware of the PTL scandals aren’t you? Do the names, Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swaggert, Baker, or Falwell mean anything to you?
And if we want to talk major religion freakiness… You do know that Mormons, and I hate bringing them up because it is just too easy, have some issues with the government. You are aware of the manhunt and eventual capture for Jeffries?[/quote]
We could play the scandal game. Christianity has been around for a lot longer, but Scientology has done well. In response to PTL, I give you: Jeremy Perkins. Your turn.
Comparing the FLDS, which probably comprises less than 5% of all Moroms, with the LDS is reaching. I’ve read Under the Banner of Heaven, I understand the situation. The Church of Scientology is Scientology. FLDS is something people in the hierarchy of the LDS wish would go away, for obvious public relations reasons.
I don’t understand what a qualification would be for something like this. Internal documents that have been stolen or leaked from CoS imply that the tier system within the church is extensive, and many people will never reach the tier where they will hear a whiff of the original beliefs professed by the founder of the religion.
The vast majority. Not the majority. Not 51% of Scientologists. The OT system has been overhauled, and OT III is only “The Wall of Fire” for people who are satisfactorily brainwashed, and a fair amount of people who reach OT III now will never talk about Incident 2 (when Xenu traveled to Teegeeack [Earth] 76 million years ago to put H-Bombs in volcanoes).
Yes, there are holes. In Scientology, the core belief is the hole. It is not shared. Any attempt to share it has been met with immense legal pressure by the CoS hierarchy.
Do I think the Pope ever broke into IRS offices to steal documents so the Catholic Church would receive tax exempt status and use it in public relations campaigns to show that the United States accepts them as a ‘real religion’? No, I don’t.
It wasn’t a cover up. They were arrested, and sentenced to time in federal prison. I don’t even know where the talk of cover up came from. I have little to no respect for the Catholic Church after the way they handled the abuse scandal.
A fair amount of Catholics I don’t aren’t exactly keen on the Vatican. Enough countries have brought charges against Scientology for trying to infiltrate their government, and I’m sorry, but subversion is worse. There has been plenty of speculation over the years that more recently to re-receive tax exemption status they hired private investigators to blackmail the head of the IRS.
There’s circling the wagons, and then there is sneaking the invisible alien wagons into a trash truck to enter garage of the FBI and slip Scientology nerds into the elevators to install keyloggers on the computers of all the employees.
Brit milah, much fun. I attend them for the delicious treats and blood curdling screams. It’s completely barbaric, and the medical benefits out-weigh the barbarity. I don’t see why anything else needs to be said on the topic.
I didn’t realize that LDS Mormons refused to take psychotic children to doctors, forcibly removed them from any prescription medications they were on and had them further brainwashed by command hypnotists with little to no experience in the field of psychology.
I think that the Church of Scientology should be removed of their tax exempt status, because they are clearly a for-profit venture (collection plates, donations, I’m aware of the argument that other religions are. other religions do not require large sums of money to be given up-front for each ‘level’ of knowledge of the ‘religion’ to be granted to the practitioner), and I think that they should be publicly scolded.
Should it be abolished? No, but there should be support groups with protection from the church that are able to help remove minors from the church if there is an attempt by the minor to leave the auspice of the church. The support groups should provide the same service as family sanctuaries or domestic violence shelters, with legal assistance, crisis intervention, basic housing, counseling for children and adults and deprogramming for the more advanced cases.
People are free to believe what they will. The Church of Scientology is a malevolent organization, but I believe in freedom of religion, even for the FLDS. When someone starts to rape their child and force them into marriage in the FLDS, the government and non-profit groups should step in to stop it, much like the government and non-profit groups should step in to stop the CoS from forcibly stopping members from leaving the church and from infiltrating the government using various methods of subversion.
I have an immense dislike (as exhibited in other threads) for anything I perceive to be, even on a small scale, a form of brainwashing. I have little to no problems with the core beliefs of most religions, and I have little to no problems with the core beliefs of Scientology.
I have problems with the core beliefs of Scientology being hidden from Scientologists until they give enough money to the church, and I have a problem with Scientology using passive aggressive tactics as a form of forcible recruitment when they make initial contact with a ‘prospect.’
I have a problem with the CoS trying to forcibly silence people who speak out against them through posing as journalists and law enforcement officers to get information out of the relatives and friends of people who speak out against them which can be used for blackmail purposes, and I have a problem with the CoS forming splinter groups (religious freedom watch, anyone?) to paint anyone who speaks out against them as either psychotic, a child rapist or a satanist.
So, those are my problems, what are yours? We’ll have a little auditing session right now.
Do you think we are going point counter-point here?
Unlike you I don’t have an axe to grind for or against anyone’s belief system.
If Scientology is what gives some people comfort, direction, or a social meeting place, more power to them.
There was a cover up with the pedophile scandal. The priest was transferred to Mexico and then the church relayed his confession to the police, that’s just one.
It is just too easy to bash any of the churches or spiritual beliefs of another and too easy to call it brainwashing.
I try to question things but not to find faults with a system of belief, but what do I agree with, what rings true, what can I use to develop my own spirituality.
As for denial of medical treatment there are churches that reject anything but the most basic of medical attention. This has been upheld in the courts. It isn’t that unusual.
I am on the fence about kids and drugs. I luckily don’t have a child so I don’t have to make that decision.
Back to the money issue, in regards to the pedophile priests, are you aware of how much money the church has at its disposal set aside just to pay off the suits? Horrifying when you think of how many people they aren’t helping with that money. And then they ask for tithes and donations. Why so the Pope can have more designer clothes, remember the new red shoes? Or bigger rings on his fingers?
Alwyn Cosgrove in his article had a phrase from Bruce Lee that fits here,
“Absorb what is useful; reject what is useless.” It really is that easy but it takes the effort on an individual’s part to put the time and consideration into what can be a major part of your life.
Scientology is a choice, people have thier rights. There are a lot more organizations I have issue with then a voluntary spiritual system that I don’t have to buy into if I don’t want to.
[quote]Dweezil wrote:
OctoberGirl wrote:
You are aware of the PTL scandals aren’t you? Do the names, Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swaggert, Baker, or Falwell mean anything to you?
And if we want to talk major religion freakiness… You do know that Mormons, and I hate bringing them up because it is just too easy, have some issues with the government. You are aware of the manhunt and eventual capture for Jeffries?
We could play the scandal game. Christianity has been around for a lot longer, but Scientology has done well. In response to PTL, I give you: Jeremy Perkins. Your turn.
Comparing the FLDS, which probably comprises less than 5% of all Moroms, with the LDS is reaching. I’ve read Under the Banner of Heaven, I understand the situation. The Church of Scientology is Scientology. FLDS is something people in the hierarchy of the LDS wish would go away, for obvious public relations reasons.
I don’t think you are qualified to quantify what the “majority” of those involved in the actual religion know or don’t know.
I don’t understand what a qualification would be for something like this. Internal documents that have been stolen or leaked from CoS imply that the tier system within the church is extensive, and many people will never reach the tier where they will hear a whiff of the original beliefs professed by the founder of the religion.
The vast majority. Not the majority. Not 51% of Scientologists. The OT system has been overhauled, and OT III is only “The Wall of Fire” for people who are satisfactorily brainwashed, and a fair amount of people who reach OT III now will never talk about Incident 2 (when Xenu traveled to Teegeeack [Earth] 76 million years ago to put H-Bombs in volcanoes).
There are hidden texts, expurgated texts and banned texts in Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. Many of those groups deny some of the more sacred texts to only those of their chosen inner workings. This is public knowledge. The Dead Sea Scrolls are still not made public and there was a council that came together that chose what books to put in the Bible.
Yes, there are holes. In Scientology, the core belief is the hole. It is not shared. Any attempt to share it has been met with immense legal pressure by the CoS hierarchy.
You don’t really think there have been no church scandals involving money do you? I don’t think even you believe that.
Do I think the Pope ever broke into IRS offices to steal documents so the Catholic Church would receive tax exempt status and use it in public relations campaigns to show that the United States accepts them as a ‘real religion’? No, I don’t.
If you want to talk cover up let’s talk about the sexual abuse scandals over the past decade. Talk about a cover up.
It wasn’t a cover up. They were arrested, and sentenced to time in federal prison. I don’t even know where the talk of cover up came from. I have little to no respect for the Catholic Church after the way they handled the abuse scandal.
A fair amount of Catholics I don’t aren’t exactly keen on the Vatican. Enough countries have brought charges against Scientology for trying to infiltrate their government, and I’m sorry, but subversion is worse. There has been plenty of speculation over the years that more recently to re-receive tax exemption status they hired private investigators to blackmail the head of the IRS.
There’s circling the wagons, and then there is sneaking the invisible alien wagons into a trash truck to enter garage of the FBI and slip Scientology nerds into the elevators to install keyloggers on the computers of all the employees.
Sounds like Mormonism to me… or being baptized as an infant without giving consent. Shall we talk about a bris?
Brit milah, much fun. I attend them for the delicious treats and blood curdling screams. It’s completely barbaric, and the medical benefits out-weigh the barbarity. I don’t see why anything else needs to be said on the topic.
I didn’t realize that LDS Mormons refused to take psychotic children to doctors, forcibly removed them from any prescription medications they were on and had them further brainwashed by command hypnotists with little to no experience in the field of psychology.
I don’t want to read into your post anything you aren’t saying so I should ask, are you saying that Scientology should be abolished? That you would deny those who are happy with thier choices their freedom of religion?
I think that the Church of Scientology should be removed of their tax exempt status, because they are clearly a for-profit venture (collection plates, donations, I’m aware of the argument that other religions are. other religions do not require large sums of money to be given up-front for each ‘level’ of knowledge of the ‘religion’ to be granted to the practitioner), and I think that they should be publicly scolded.
Should it be abolished? No, but there should be support groups with protection from the church that are able to help remove minors from the church if there is an attempt by the minor to leave the auspice of the church. The support groups should provide the same service as family sanctuaries or domestic violence shelters, with legal assistance, crisis intervention, basic housing, counseling for children and adults and deprogramming for the more advanced cases.
People are free to believe what they will. The Church of Scientology is a malevolent organization, but I believe in freedom of religion, even for the FLDS. When someone starts to rape their child and force them into marriage in the FLDS, the government and non-profit groups should step in to stop it, much like the government and non-profit groups should step in to stop the CoS from forcibly stopping members from leaving the church and from infiltrating the government using various methods of subversion.
And… why do you care what someone else chooses for their system of faith?
I have an immense dislike (as exhibited in other threads) for anything I perceive to be, even on a small scale, a form of brainwashing. I have little to no problems with the core beliefs of most religions, and I have little to no problems with the core beliefs of Scientology.
I have problems with the core beliefs of Scientology being hidden from Scientologists until they give enough money to the church, and I have a problem with Scientology using passive aggressive tactics as a form of forcible recruitment when they make initial contact with a ‘prospect.’
I have a problem with the CoS trying to forcibly silence people who speak out against them through posing as journalists and law enforcement officers to get information out of the relatives and friends of people who speak out against them which can be used for blackmail purposes, and I have a problem with the CoS forming splinter groups (religious freedom watch, anyone?) to paint anyone who speaks out against them as either psychotic, a child rapist or a satanist.
So, those are my problems, what are yours? We’ll have a little auditing session right now.[/quote]