Scientology?

I don't get it. They believe in some weird god called "Xenu". The shit don't make no sense whatsoever. Two good stars worship the idea of Scientology, when everybody knows it's only a scam to make you hand over your money. I hope it doesn't become too big in the future, say a hundred years. Because eventually, it may be the biggest threat or scam in history.

It's already too big.

People need to believe in something.

It's that simple.

Other :: cults :: are far worse.

Posted by UncleIroh
With that said, I am no scientologist. I have read about Scientology and what it's about, however.

Basically the premise is that we are immortal spiritual beings that have forgotten our true nature (true), and Scientology is a method of spiritual rehabilitation (something people need).

While the premise is actually a lot more logical than any other religions you have been socially conditioned to accept and not view as "weird", I still don't need an organized religion who manipulates spiritual truths for power and control to tell me I am an immortal spiritual being.

That's what the whole argument is about really. It's that I feel they manipulate spiritual truths for power and money. I feel the whole thing is nothing more than a idea that ripping people off from their money. If I say threat, I mean eventually they can start forcing people to join or die. I feel every religion has been guilty of this. But in modern times on level far greater than what goes in the Middle East, just a bit terrifying.

Posted by UncleIroh

Posted by seraph
It's what L. Ron Hubbard saw when he was high during a boat trip.

When he finally sobered up he hit upon the business angle of it.

If you want "spiritual rehabilitation", choose one of the Eastern traditions, like Buddhism or Vedanta. Cheaper, too.

+1
Eastern traditions are great. The Dao literally described modern physics thousands of years before we had any idea about concepts regarding modern physics.

click to expand

I actually like Buddhist ideas and traditions. They're favorable with me. I tend meditate ever now and then to clear my mind of bad thoughts and reawaken with better outlook on life. I listen to alpha and gamma waves while a meditate since they put the mind to a state of relaxation. But I still don't like Scientology.

Posted by UncleIroh
Yes, the topic is about Scientology and the fact that you're focusing on Scientology shows that you have bought into propaganda labeling it "a dangerous cult" rather than thinking for yourself and realizing the lack of differences between Scientology and other religions that are foundational belief systems for the majority of people. The real problem is not Scientology and by buying into what has been sensationalized you remain oblivious to the real problem.

The truth is always seems to be ironic.

Yes, I understand that. But I don't follow the propaganda said by the media about it. It's my own thought and opinion and how I truly feel about scientology. It in no way is even about science. It's more like science fiction. Just the idea on what it's built upon sounds fishy to me. I'm a Transhumanist, and I feel their name itself has nothing to do with science or relating to the advancement of it. I just feel like it's the front for something. Call it paranoia or intolerance or whatever you want. Things just seem off about them and their purpose feels null for something bigger.

Posted by UncleIroh
Yes, the topic is about Scientology and the fact that you're focusing on Scientology shows that you have bought into propaganda labeling it "a dangerous cult" rather than thinking for yourself and realizing the lack of differences between Scientology and other religions that are foundational belief systems for the majority of people. The real problem is not Scientology and by buying into what has been sensationalized you remain oblivious to the real problem.

The truth is always seems to be ironic.

Could you do me a favor and stop assuming you know what people are thinking without them ACTUALLY saying it?

Thanks.

Posted by UncleIroh

While the premise is actually a lot more logical than any other religions you have been socially conditioned to accept.I still don't need an organized religion who manipulates spiritual truths for power and control to tell me I am an immortal spiritual being.

You said you think it's true that we're immortal beings even though you have no proof or evidence of that. How can you stand so firm in your beliefs that you are immortal when all of the people ever claiming they were never came back? Reincarnation, for example is just a theory. No proof.

You say scientology is more logical than other religions. How so? Scientologists have no more proof that what they believe to be true is "proven fact" than all other religions. If it's illogical for any other religion to expect followers even though their own claims have never been proven, then how is it suddenly logical to believe in scientology & also practice it?

1 of the main reasons atheists consider themselves the most "logical" is b/c they refuse to believe in something that can't be proven or verified. How you can say that scientology is more "logical" when they're just another religion with enormous claims that haven't been/can't be proven?

If it doesn't make sense for her to be against scientology b/c she has no real basis for discrediting them, the same would be true for those who support it, given the fact that they don't have any real basis for believing in it either.

If anything, scientology is just like every other religion. It's got a few celebrities rallying for it. It tells its believers what to believe in and how not to live their life. It involves & swears divine rewards. It offers consequence, judgment, or excommunication to those who don't believe in it. It affects people so much so that they change (or at least attempt to) their entire life style , way of thinking & perception of the world/others. It swears it has credibility in regards to their beliefs even though none of it can be/has been proven. It swears that you must be ignorant only b/c you haven't done your research, although some of the people who HAVE done their research STILL believe it's a bunch of crap.

So how did you come to the conclusion that scientology deserves its own pedestal separate from other religion?

Someone disagreeing with something or not thinking it's credible does NOT mean they didn't do their homework. It does not mean they didn't do their research. It does not mean that you're any more educated than they are. It does not mean "ignorance."

Keep in mind, we're discussing a religion, who like most others, are swearing credibility in something that can't be proven. You're not "ignorant" bc you don't believe in something you can't see. "Lack of faith" maybe is a better description, but not ignorant.

That's a cop out response to someone who disagrees with you. Plenty of people HAVE done their research & still may come to a completely different conclusion than you. And that applies to any possible topic to be discussed.

Not everybody has been victim to brainwashing nor sucked into some "social norm." To make that automatic assumption all b/c someone disagrees with you is pathetic & extremely close-minded

As a Christian, I even know that. I am aware that while many educated scholars analyzed all available data & believe it's credible, there are just as many educated scholars who too analyzed all available data & don't think it's credible at all. That's fair. It won't change what I personally believe, but anytime there's a strong belief in something that can't be scientifically proven, it's fair to understand that some will believe it, while some won't. Just is what it is.

Having faith in something doesn't mean you have to lose your open-mindedness, just like having faith in something doesn't justify being closed-minded

I saw a commercial for Scientology on cable a few weeks ago. That felt kinda weird.

Do you think scientologist will come on this site to discredit all who speak against them?
They're kinda known for that.

Scientology, Scientology, Scientology.

Posted by size zero superhero

Moreover, it's peculiar how people like Jerry Seinfeld & Lisa Marie Presley only have negative things to say about their experience in the church after becoming ex-Scilons & departing from the cult on horrible terms.

I don't believe in Scientology.

HOWEVER, let's be fair. Plenty of people have both left AND stayed in a religion that they had nothing but bad things to say about.

Scientology isn't the only religion people have spoken out against. The only reason it seems alarming when scientologists do it is b/c famed celebrities are saying bad things, thus consuming the media with their criticisms. I barely see any famous politicians or celebrities publicly bashing Buddhism or Christianity, for example.

Now muslims, that's a different story. lol

Posted by krysrenee7
Reincarnation, for example is just a theory. No proof.

Proof when it comes to something like religion is subjective. When someone truly believes in a concept it does hold power over them, and because the realms of spirituality are all based on the cornerstone of faith, religious power and truth transcends the understanding of those who are not affected by its power. Where one person sees a sign from their deity in an event, another may not notice anything at all or easily dismiss evidence if only because they don't agree that is evidence.

A scientist proves a theory by conducting experiments that verify what they already thought, their evidence based on what they have already given power. A religious person proves their spirituality by conducting experiments (prayer, exorcisms, what have you) to verify what they have already given power. Maybe it's a different ballgame but the rules are generally the same.

I like to consider myself a reasonably logical person. I believe in science. But I also believe in reincarnation. Can I empirically prove why I believe in the concept for someone who does not? Not at all. But that doesn't lessen my own personal belief or my status as a reasonable person.