So which is more ridiculous?

Tough call. I'm gona go Scientology.

Ever watch the southpark episode on scientology? That about sums it up.

there both pretty whack

the latter

http://images.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/19534.jpg
good chrsitian girl...


http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8715/orly3yn.jpg

Jehovah witness.

Scientology is probably the most vicious & sadistic cult on earth.The mind control & brainwashing techniques inevitably erode rational thought & the ability to think critically about what theyre taught to beleive.

This sth park clip isn't BS or exaggerated.It takes many years of brainwashing & indocrination to accept this baloney as literal fact.But the end result is that they believe exactly what this clip says
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xDPkn9LX0rU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xDPkn9LX0rU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xDPkn9LX0rU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xDPkn9LX0rU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

are you serious that they believe that shit...WTF

Without Christianity, there would be no catholic school girls - Scientology has no answer for that sacred tradition.

damn, Dave - I've got 26 posts - what have you done to my name.
And why do I have to be a tuff noob - I don't even watch tuf.

damn, Dave - I've got 26 posts - what have you done to my name.
And why do I have to be a tuff noob - I don't even watch tuf.

STFU noob!

damn, Dave - I've got 26 posts - what have you done to my name.
And why do I have to be a tuff noob - I don't even watch tuf.

Everyones a tuf newb until they get 50 or 100 posts.

I changed your title. Best thing I could think of on the quick. :sifone:

WELCOME TO THE SHOES!!!

STFU noob!

^^and this guy's a doochebag born again so don't pay any attention to him unless you want to ridicule him.

Samoans because Ray Sefo is one and he was not nice to me.

Scientology is probably the most vicious & sadistic cult on earth.The mind control & brainwashing techniques inevitably erode rational thought & the ability to think critically about what theyre taught to beleive.

This sth park clip isn't BS or exaggerated.It takes many years of brainwashing & indocrination to accept this baloney as literal fact.But the end result is that they believe exactly what this clip says
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xDPkn9LX0rU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xDPkn9LX0rU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>


"Blasphemy" -L. Ron

WAR DIANETICS

^^and this guy's a doochebag born again so don't pay any attention to him unless you want to ridicule him.

+1

christianty is a good religion its just the people who parctice or do take it too seriosu suck.
scientology is no religion its a company ideology.

christianty is a good religion its just the people who parctice or do take it too seriosu suck.
scientology is no religion its a company ideology.

... kind of like Capitalism?

kind of.

that's a trick question; all religions are stupid

that's a trick question; all religions are stupid

+1

Scientology gets bonus wacko points.

Riddle me this though, how did even one person decide that it would be a good idea to follow a new faith made up by a science FICTION writer?!?!

Riddle me this though, how did even one person decide that it would be a good idea to follow a new faith made up by a science FICTION writer?!?!

Uh, Hollywood?

atheists have homosexual tendencies. Down with atheism.

atheists have homosexual tendencies. Down with atheism.

Ted Haggard? Catholic Priests?

Uh, yeah...

How many homosexuals do you know that are christian compared to atheists?

How many homosexuals do you know that are christian compared to atheists?

????

Atheists would have no problem admitting they are homosexual. Christians lie about such things (Ted Haggard, Catholic Priests)... Hence, we will never know.

However it is pretty common accepted knowledge that Christains, due to their sexual suppression and repression- exhibit more "bizarre" or "abnormal" sexual tendencies than their atheist counterparts.

Christians also get divorced at a higher clip than Atheists. Care for me to source this for you? I will.

No insult intended to any diehard christians out there, but here's why I think god isn't real.

Okay, the first thing is god has never shown himself, just a bunch of totally untrustworthy sources saying that he "spoke to them" (I mean Mary, a what...30+ year old virgin?), hell, when I drink a lot of beer I SWEAR the table is rubbing my balls.

Second, who are the three wise men? They were a bunch of rich lunatics (not uncommon in the day - have a geezer at Emperor Commodus...who was in fact real, but incorrectly protrayed in Gladiator) having a midnight walkabout and decided to follow a star...I tried following a star once when I was drunk and low and behold, I was led to a toilet just in the nick of time. Toilet must've been a god send.

Third, some guy who performed magic tricks told EVERYONE he was the son of god, and showed his magical prowess in order to prove it. People back in the day were a stupid bunch (I mean, who the hell worships a bloody golden bull?), if Jesus wanted to he could have if he wanted to claimed he was god himself, or better yet, if he was demented he could have pointed to a flower and said "That is god!" and the stupid people would gather round and praise it. It just happened that he was an impressionable youth who was told by his mum "you are god's son". Hell, I'm sure if David Copperfield went back now, he could get people to believe that a piece of stone was god too.

Thank you for listening.

I've always wanted to go into a scientology building and see what kind of sell they give you. Has anyone ever?

homosuexientology

Scientology by a mile. Christianity has a lot of good in it but people after power just take small things and amplify them for their own good through anger and fear.

+1

Scientology gets bonus wacko points.

Riddle me this though, how did even one person decide that it would be a good idea to follow a new faith made up by a science FICTION writer?!?!

In scientology Hubbard is promoted as a humanitarian,philosopher,engineer& self made millionaire[b4 scientology that is]he also has many other bogus feathers in his overstuffed cap.

His science fiction,which was in fact his bread & butter b4 going into the cult business is merely played down within scientology as something Hubbard did as a pastime.

This is the thing that amazed me so much when I first looked into scientology.How could a drunk,drug addicted paranoid schitzophrenic con man with no credentials attract millions of loyal adoring followers including Drs, lawyers & the likes who believe his insane theories about space ships & past lives on other planets??

It all seems too impossible to be true.Hubbard is undoubtedly a study in the bizarre. Somehow,without being taught he was adept in mind control techniques that he applied to create an empire of fanatically loyal zealots who were honoured to pay him ridiculous amounts of cash for brainwashing courses that are disguised as self betterment & spiritual freedom.

Fascinating stuff.

The Church of Scientology International has received substantial media coverage primarily because of recent comments made by the world’s most famous Scientologist, Tom Cruise. Current Scientologists represent their organization as a legitimate religion that helps people. Scientologists are told to portray to the organization as a solution to life’s many problems; one that you have to experience to understand. Former Scientologists have a different opinion of the Church of Scientology. One man, Robert Kaufman presented his opinion of Scientology after he traveled to the Saint Hill Org, a Scientology mission in London, to attend Scientology courses. Of his experience there, he said he was in a “state of constant hypnotism,” and after a few courses, he became an insomniac and suffered from acute anxiety attacks. Out of fear the symptoms would worsen, a fear instilled by Scientologists, he continued on with three additional upper level classes until he became suicidal and suffered from multiple personality disorder. After he left the Org and returned to the states, the only thing that kept him from committing suicide was the fact that if he did so it would “invalidate Scientology.” Eventually, he checked himself into a mental institution and left Scientology (Qtd. In Cooper 136). The Church of Scientology International is a dangerous organization that uses unethical tactics to dissuade its critics and to recruit and retain the emotionally vulnerable into a deceitful relationship where they are abused financially, psychologically, and in some cases, as evidence suggests, physically. What Robert Kaufman wrote in the true story above and detailed in How I Joined Scientology and Became Superman is not an isolated case of the abuse Scientologists suffered and continue to suffer through today.

In order to understand the intricacies of Scientology, it is necessary to look at the Church of Scientology’s background. L Ron Hubbard founded Scientology upon the basis of his 1950 publication, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. The Church of Scientology believes that this single work had “solved the riddle of the human mind” (Rhodes 157). The Church of Scientology claims that Scientology’s roots are based on “over 50,000 years of man’s wisdom” in humanities and made possible by “advances in the physical sciences” (Hubbard 1). In 1952, Hubbard founded the Hubbard Association of Scientologists and two years later Hubbard organized the first local Church of Scientology, also called an “Org” in Washington D.C., as a religious, tax exempt entity (Melton 11). Through the 1960’s, 70’s and into the 80’s Scientology boomed. Classes and counseling were given to treat a number pf psychosomatic illnesses, drug addiction, learning disabilities, and many other unwanted fears and compulsions (Corydon 19). The Church of Scientology claims to be comprised of 3,000 churches, missions, related organizations, and groups, and more than 10 million people in 100 countries that speak 30 languages (Rhodes 157, Reitman 3). The Church of Scientology claims that Scientology provides modern answers to the questions asked of religion such as: Who are we? Why are we here? Where are we going? (Hubbard 3). Founder L. Ron Hubbard lived much of his life as the leader of the Church and is viewed as somewhat of a deity. Hubbard was succeeded as leader by David Miscavige, high school dropout and second generation Scientologist, sometime in the early 80s after Hubbard went into seclusion (Behar 52). The fact that many of the above dates and statistics are not universally agreed upon is a testament to the deceptive nature of the Church.

The Church of Scientology uses many morally perverse tactics to recruit new Scientologists and promote church growth. Scientologists commonly misrepresent the truth about their organization and its intentions (Cooper 39). Scientologists advertise as “Illness Researchers,” “Charitable Organizations,” and “Research Organizations.” They prey upon people suffering from diseases and conditions, misrepresenting their organization and hiding their goal of getting them to join Scientology by offering a few free hours of auditing (Cooper 40). Grossly misrepresenting the Church as a research firm and blatantly lying to people who are afflicted by illness is achieved through legal technicalities.

The Church of Scientology uses other morally disgusting methods to attract new members. Scientology Ministers are instructed to look through the obituaries and offer their guidance as a means of comfort in a method of recruitment Hubbard called, “Casualty Contact” (Cooper 40). Hubbard said the Scientology Minister, “should represent himself to the person or the person's family as a minister whose compassion was compelled by the newspaper story.” In reality, this is nothing more than a show. In accordance with Hubbard’s teaching, Scientologists look down upon sympathy (Atack 110). Scientologists even have a course that teaches members of the Church what to do and say when they are required to visit hospitals and represent themselves as “volunteer ministers” (Atack 110). After Harriet Baker lost her husband to cancer, she was approached by a Scientology Minister and sold a $1300 auditing package. Before her children were able to get her away from the Church of Scientology, she had mortgaged her house with their assistance, spent tens of thousands of dollars, and had to sell her home (Behar 54). Scientologists also move in after natural disasters strikes or any large-scale tragedies occur, for example the 9/11 World Trade Center attack (Reitman 2). The examples given above of the common practices of recruitment the Church of Scientology uses illustrate the Church’s total disregard for their members’ well being in their quest to grow.
The most common type of recruitment is the practice of Scientology Orgs advertising in newspapers under the category “Church” and the false pretense of being personality consultants, giving personality tests or giving IQ tests. They give a phone number listing a Reverend and a description stating they will help you solve your problem. What the Scientologist is actually instructed to do is not solve the problem. In the words of L Ron Hubbard, “This may be the last problem this person has and it would be a disservice to simply solve it as easily as that. One makes something of the problem, not makes nothing of it,” (Cooper 40). The Church’s true goal in doing this is to get the person in for as much treatment as possible.

The Church of Scientology also attempts to get celebrities into the organization as a means of recruitment, and in addition, to sway public opinion. By lavishing celebrities and moving them up the “bridge to (spiritual) freedom” quickly, scientology is able to drum up publicity in an effort to publicly validate the religion (Glaister 4). Hubbard first told Scientologists to pursue celebrities relentlessly in 1955 (Cooper 86). Scientology’s largest ship, the “Freewinds,” a 440 foot cruise ship, is commonly used to entertain celebrities like Kirstie Alley, Tom Cruise, Jenna Elfman, Isaac Hayes, Juliette Lewis, Kelly Preston and John Travolta. Often these celebrities recruit others by war of friendship and marriage. For example, Katie Holmes is said to be studying Scientology now (Reitman 4,10). By recruiting celebrities, the Church is able to get positive publicity from sources known and trusted by the public.

When the Church of Scientology succeeds in getting a person to visit a local Org., they are treated like customers at a seminar. They are given a salesman-like lecture, presented a short film about Hubbard, and given The American Personality test even if that was not the method by which they were recruited (Cooper 42). A few questions on the quiz include: "Is your voice monotonous, rather than varied in pitch?", "Would you rather give orders than take them?", and "Could you agree to strict discipline?" (Lewis 2). The results of the test are used to convince people they need Scientology. For example, “one boy who took the test claims they told him he had a defective character, was mentally unstable, and would have a mental breakdown unless he joined Scientology.” (Cooper 43). After misinforming the client on the basics of Scientology treatment, a Scientologist abuses the results of their test to sign the client up for further treatment and start their process of becoming a Scientologist.
What the newly recruited Scientology student learns in the short film are some of the principles and beliefs of Scientology, and are described in the following paragraphs. They are necessary to examine as they provide some needed insight.

Dianetics, meaning “through soul”, is the basis of Scientology. It is “a methodology which can help alleviate unwanted sensations and emotions, irrational fears and psychosomatic illnesses.” (Hubbard 62). Dianetics is based on the principle that “the purpose of the mind is to solve problems relating to survival.” The mind records data as three-dimensional mental “pictures” that contain sound, color, smell and other perceptions. A person’s time track, a consecutive record of these mental pictures, is used by the mind to make educated decisions about survival (Hubbard 63).

Scientologists believe that L. Ron Hubbard discovered two distinct parts of the mind: the analytical mind and reactive mind. The analytical mind is, as the name suggests, the part of the mind that observes data and uses it to solve problems but only when one is fully conscious. In moments of intense physical or emotional pain or if a person is less than fully conscious, the analytical mind is suspended and the reactive mind records mental pictures (Atack 85). The reactive mind stores memories as vivid mental image pictures Hubbard calls “engrams.” Engrams do not store memories effectively as they confuse the emotional or physical pain from its actual cause with all the other details during that experience (Hubbard 65).

After “discovering” engrams and how detrimental they can be, Hubbard developed a technique to erase the contents of the reactive mind called auditing (Hubbard 66). The auditing process consists of an “auditor,” who is a minister or minister in training, and asks questions of the person being audited in an effort to discover and resolve engrams. By use of a religious tool developed by Hubbard called an “Electropsychometer” or “E-Meter,” the auditor is able to measure a person’s reaction to certain concepts and decide whether they are troublesome. The E-Meter is said to measure electric resistance when different questions are asked. A movement of the e-meter’s needle reflects the influence of pain (Rhodes 160). Resolving the issues with the engrams involves recalling all of the forgotten details of the incident and understanding the cause of the pain (Rhodes 161). The main goal of every beginning scientologist is to clear his or her entire reactive mind through auditing, and become what Hubbard calls a “clear” (Hubbard 66). All those who have yet to be “cleared” are called “preclears.”

Scientologists believe that a human being is composed of three entities. The mind, the body, and the spiritual being Hubbard calls a “thetan.” The thetan is an immortal spirit, the essence of being and the creator of life (Hubbard 70). Thetans are said to have created the human body, among other forms, because their own physical form could not function. Over time thetans lost awareness of their true selves, only recognizing the physical form even through every reincarnation. Engrams are attached to the thetan so to be truly clear; one must remove all the engrams from past lifetimes (Rhodes 158). The above summary is merely a fraction of the beliefs Scientologists have. They are the basic beliefs that enable Scientologists to believe some other very strange things detailed later in this essay.
One example of a strange belief held by Scientologists is learned after one becomes “clear.” There is still much to be accomplished in Scientology and more money for Scientology to take from the “clear” by way of becoming an “Operating Thetan.” The operating thetan or OT is one who possesses complete, god-like spiritual ability and awareness (Rhodes 158). A Scientologist at this level, Tom Cruise for example, will believe they are more spiritual and capable than Jesus because of the methods the Church used on their psyche.
When the Church of Scientology succeeds in convincing someone to join the Church, they start auditing. With auditing the dangerous psychological devices practiced by the Church of Scientology begin. The Church publicly compares auditing to the Catholic practice of confession. The preclear is told that the e-meter works somewhat like a lie detector (ironically, that is a lie). He or she is encouraged to be open and honest when answering the question the auditor asks. The preclear doesn’t know that information he gives during auditing is not confidential and will be shared with all of the other people who audit him or her and, if needed, the leaders of the church (Cooper 22). The Church misrepresents the practice of auditing to the general public and to its new members.

The unfamiliar practice of auditing sounds strange and seems relatively harmless but it is harmful in a number of ways. The information given during auditing can be used as a form of blackmail by the church in the future. Paulette Cooper writes, “A fear of blackmail can keep a Scientologist as tied and subservient to Scientology as actual blackmail -- perhaps more so. When someone knows that there is a great deal of personal information that could be revealed and he is led to believe that it might be revealed, even though no overt threat has been made or payment requested, he must simply sit and wait and wonder” (Cooper 70). In one case, Rev. William Fisk, an auditor, was shot and killed by Russell Edward Johnson. It later became known that Fisk, a Scientology Reverend who was auditing Johnson’s wife, boasted of having an affair and complete control over Johnson’s wife. Johnson claimed temporary insanity and was sentenced to 15 years in prison (Cooper 28). Cases of emotional distress, psychological harm, and blackmail show why even the beginning practices of the Church of Scientology can be harmful.

Much more psychologically traumatic than auditing are the first Scientology courses, known as T.R.’s or Training Routines. In the first T.R., a Scientologist stares at another for a period of at least one hour without moving, twitching or blinking. The first T.R. is said to induce hallucinations when done correctly. The second is similar but in it one Scientologist attempts to make the other Scientologist twitch by insulting, humoring, being sexually offensive, or otherwise explicit to the other. The third T.R. involves a Scientologist repeating Alice in Wonderland while his partner acknowledges him or her (Atack 16). By using these three T.R.’s the Church of Scientology is able to fool its members into believing in Scientology.
There are other T.R.’s that are even more traumatic. One such T.R. that is said to have severely psychologically damaging effects is S.C.S. or “Stop, Change, Start.” It is simple in nature. The preclear must move objects around stopping them, changing their direction, and starting them again according to the commands. Many Training Routines involve repetitive commands for long periods of time. Among the symptoms of this devastating exercise akin to mental torture are: having morbid and murderous thoughts, becoming violent, attempting to escape, laughing hysterically, and generally acting insane (Cooper 111). The Australian Report concluded of these T.R.’s that Hubbard renamed hypnotic techniques and used hypnotic phenomena under names he invented. The authors of the report also believed that the preclear was still in a hypnotic state when it was suggested that they had achieved their goals from the session giving them a false sense of satisfaction (Cooper 112). T.R.’s enable the Church to force its members to obey their orders and feel satisfied because they leave the scientologist in a suggestible state. For this reason, as one progresses through their Scientology training they become more hypnotized by the techniques and soon lose control of their free will.

Hubbard formed special groups of Scientologists that were made to give its members something to aspire to be a part of. Scientology members may be asked to join one special group Hubbard established and dubbed the “Sea Org” if they are considered one of Scientology’s most qualified and loyal students. Originally based on a team of ships, the Sea Org was moved primarily to land in Clearwater, Florida after the church purchased several properties through a third party (Melton 19). To qualify for the Sea Org, one would have to sign a contract, pledging their service to the Church of Scientology for a billion years. Conversations about a “Space Org” were often held discussing the eventual saving of other planets after the earth had been “cleared” (Corydon 22). The development of the Sea Org was used by Hubbard to encourage members to be a better Scientologist and to take advantage of his most loyal followers.

The Sea Org remains one of the most potentially dangerous factions of the Church of Scientology International. As Sea Org member, Linda Hicks disappeared never to be seen again. Her boyfriend received a letter alleging that she was forced into marriage with another sea org member after they made her sick and hysterical. The church denied access to the ship, told investigators that she had favored another suitor, and she was now on a different boat. The Church told other Scientologists that Linda’s parents wanted her removed from the ship to receive electroshock treatment from a psychiatrist (Cooper 47). Horrifying Sea Org tales of abuse, neglect, and disappearance are numerous yet the Sea Org still exists today.


The seasoned Scientologist will have spent tens of thousands of dollars on Scientology. L. Ron Hubbard set up Scientology to have different levels of membership that Scientologists believed would have greater rewards offered at a greater financial cost (Atack 2). If they are able to sell one person on their entry level courses or auditing the cost will be from $50 to $4000. Scientologists will attempt to charge as much as they believe you will pay (Reitman 14). One former Scientologist said to have spent $250,000 to “clear the bridge” and become an “Operating Thetan” (Reitman 6). Ironically, scientologists believe psychiatry is evil and a psuedo-science that is driven by the pharmacology industry’s desire to make a buck (Glaister 1). The money spent by Scientology and its members is virtually untraceable. As a religious entity they are not required to report their financial statements and do not do so. It is known that L. Ron Hubbard died an extremely wealthy man with over 40 million dollars to his name in 1986 (Glaister 1). This fact suggests that the leaders of the organization are reaping the vast monetary benefits of the members’ financial abuse.

By use of hypnotic treatment, the seasoned Scientologist will believe a number of outrageous things, that which further isolate him from the non-Scientology world. They believe Hubbard is the “Source,” that Hubbard’s books are scripture, and that his words are absolute (Rhodes 157). The Scientologist will believe that saying anything critical about the Source, L. Ron Hubbard is a serious “ethics” offense (Corydon 132). Scientologists believe that they should never discuss Scientology in detail with a critic or an outsider. They are told to ignore the critic’s comments and move the focus of the discussion on the crimes of the critic. Scientologists firmly believe that someone who attacks or criticizes Scientology does so because they are afraid that Scientology will uncover their own crimes. Hubbard wrote in detail about this subject, citing examples of how to uncover their critic’s crimes (Cooper 62). To an outsider a Scientologist is told to tell the person how great Scientology is and that one must experience it his or herself (Atack 30). In fact, Scientologists are not even allowed to talk to each other about what they learn in upper levels of the religion. They are told that it serves no purpose (Martin 5). Not reporting a violation of Hubbard’s rules by anyone, family member, loved one, or friend, for an offense they committed is a serious “ethics” crime (Corydon 108). At this point, the Scientologist has been so psychologically damaged by the Church of Scientology’s morally perverse techniques that they will believe almost anything the Church tells them. What the Church of Scientology has them believe even further isolates them from anyone and everything that could damage Scientology’s reputation publicly.
Punishment for those who disobey rules is often illegal and inhuman. To punish those who committed serious offenses or those who attempted to leave Scientology, offenders are put in RFP or Rehabilitation Project Force. It is Scientology’s concentration camp and is usually located in the lower boiler rooms of an Org. People in RPF were forced to live like animals by instilling a deep-seated fear of further punishment (Corydon 116). The church suggests that the RPF is a place where people kicked out of organizations like the Sea Org can have a second chance (Martin 2). However, this is not true according to the stories of many former Scientologists. Chuck Beatty, a former Scientologist spent 7 years of his life, from 1996-2003 in the RPF. He simply said “It's a prison system," and members ordered to the RFP are watched 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to make sure they don’t escape (Reitman 25). It is in a great contradiction to moral law that this faction of Scientology peacefully coexists with the rest of society.

Attempting to leave the church is an extraordinary feat. If one is able to “blow” or escape from the organization the Church will attempt to bring them back first. If they are unable to do so, the person will be cut off from all members of the church and declared a “Suppressive Person.” Their friends, children, and/or their partner in marriage must not have any contact with them if they wish to remain in the Church. Suppressive Persons or S.P.’s are considered generally evil people. They need not be critics of Scientology or even know about Scientology. For example, Scientologists believe Hitler was an SP (Reitman 17). All critics of Scientology are considered Suppressive, and the Church of Scientology has a very strict policy; if you are critical of the Church of Scientology or its founder, you are insane (Corydon 100). This policy employed by the Church is also morally reprehensible as it forces members to choose between losing their family and keeping their sanity.

It comes as no surprise that critics of scientology are treated as poorly as their own members. Scientologists believe that all enemies of the Church of Scientology are considered “fair game.” According to a letter written by L. Ron Hubbard, enemies of Scientology “may be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist, without discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued, lied to or destroyed” (Corydon 37). Scientology is known to sue or intimidate every critic to keep the topic of scientology out of every newspaper section except “Religion.” Hubbard wrote, “The purpose of the suit is to harass and discourage rather than to win.... The law can be used very easily to harass." (Atack 166). At one point, they had sued every newspaper in Great Britain that mentioned “Scientology” for libel (Cooper 60). One former lawyer for scientology, Joseph Yanny, later said the church "has so subverted justice and the judicial system that it should be barred from seeking equity in any court." (Qtd. In Behar 55). Scientology uses any means necessary to silence its critics despite contradictory beliefs they attempt to portray to the public about free thought and a free sprit.

Many examples of the Church’s abuse have been covered in the press. When Church documents were legally (due to the fact that they were part of an affidavit in a court case) posted to the Internet by Arnaldo P. Lerma, written by Hubbard inside them was “Unauthorized readers can die of pneumonia.” Despite many thousands of people reading the document, no one became ill (Allen 1). Soon after, Lerma was confronted by two large persons representing the Church of Scientology at his home. They tried to pressure him into signing a three-page document titled “Declaration of Arnaldo Pagliarini Lerma,” which confessed Lerma’s drug abuse and low morals. Later that day he received a fax stating “CEASE AND DESIST YOUR ACTIVITY AGAINST THE CHURCH AND WE WILL TAKE NO FURTHER ACTION.” He was soon sued for libel and his computers were confiscated (Leiby 1). Soon after, the Church of Scientology made plans to stop SP internet users from bad mouthing the religion by delegating 40-50 Scientologists to find anti-Scientology web pages and news groups, threaten suit on those responsible for their creation and have them investigated for hate crimes by local law enforcement (Garcia 1). Paulette Cooper, the author of The Scandal of Scientology was harassed for many years by the Church of Scientology members because of the book she wrote. She was almost convicted of a felony for calling a threatening to bomb a Scientology Org because Scientologists had framed her (Corydon 7). The Church’s strong-arm legal tactics have been used for decades and need to be stopped.

Hundreds of stories which detail the poor physical and psychological treatment the Church of Scientology International puts its members through have been told. According to a sworn affidavit, one former Scientologist member was quickly promoted to the Sea Org after signing the billion-year contract and giving her remaining savings to the Church of Scientology (Corydon 124). She was raped twice, after being told that she must birth a baby with a Sea Org leader because of her spiritual nature. After she did not become pregnant she was reprimanded and forced to run 3 hours a day while receiving little food to live on (Corydon 127). Despite being raped twice and punished for disobeying “command” to become pregnant, it wasn’t until she was sent to the depths of the Cedar’s RFP and came face to face with the mob of emaciated Scientologists that worked and lived amidst screams for mercy in concentration camp-like conditions that she decided she should leave Scientology (Corydon 129). With every member who leaves the organization and is willing to tell their story comes another tale of morally reprehensible actions made by the Church’s leaders. Yet, the Church of Scientology International continues to use the morally atrocious recruitment tactics from which it grew, receive publicity and validation from celebrities like Tom Cruise, and wrongfully escape infamy.

PM me for citations if needed. I could care less if some student uses this as their own paper.

I obviously feel scientology is one of the worst cults perhaps only behind Alcoholics Anonymous.

I wouldn't condone calling Scientology a religion. There are several proposed methods for differentiating between cults and religions. So don't give me that all religions are cults crap.

The comparison between Christianity and Scientology is fucken ridiculous in the first place. Just a gimmick. Not to mention that if it wasn't for Christanity you'd probably be wearing a towel on your head right now talkin pakie.

Hubbard professes to be the "anti-christ" in the final secret upper level[OT8]of the scientology doctrine.

Excerpt from OT8 briefing document:

No doubt you are familiar with the Revelations section of the Bible where various events are predicted. Also mentioned is a brief period of time in which an archenemy of Christ, referred to as the Antichrist, will reign and his opinions will have sway. All this makes for very fantastic, entertaining reading but there is truth in it. This Antichrist represents the forces of Lucifer (literally, the "light bearer" or "light bring"), Lucifer being a mythical representation of the forces of enlightenment, the Galactic Confederacy. My mission could be said to fulfill the Biblical promise represented by this brief Antichrist period. During this period there is a fleeting opportunity for the whole scenario to be effectively derailed, which would make it impossible for the mass Markabian landing (Second Coming) to take place. The Second Coming is designed, among other things, to trigger a rapid series of destructive events.

With the exception of the original Buddhism, virtually all religions of any consequence on this planet, monotheistic and pantheistic alike, have been instruments to speed the progress of this "evolution of consciousness" and bring about the eventual enslavement of mankind. As you know, Siddhartha Gautama never claimed to be anything more than a man. Having caught on to this operation, he postulated his own return as Meteyya, part of which prophecy will have been fulfilled upon the passing of L. Ron Hubbard.

For those of you whose Christian toes I may have stepped on, let me take the opportunity to disabuse you of some lovely myths. For instance, the historic Jesus was not nearly the sainted figure has been made out to be. In addition to being a lover of young boys and men, he was given to uncontrollable bursts of temper and hatred that belied the general message of love, understanding and other typical Marcab PR. You have only to look at the history his teachings inspired to see where it all inevitably leads. It is historic fact and yet man still clings to the ideal, so deep and insidious is the biologic implanting.

It is a good joke that the Galactic Confederacy is associated with the Serpent in the Garden, the Beast and other emissaries of the "Prince of Darkness". Yet in certain passages and esoteric interpretations of the Bible (much of which has been taken out and effectively suppressed for centuries) as well as the Kabbalah, the truth reveals itself quite nicely for the clever and the ungullible.

So it really is a race against time and one that we happen to be losing at the moment, as the Implant drama inexorably plays itself out in spite of the breakneck pace I've managed to keep up these last thirty-five years.

I had an inkling, but only that, of the insidiousness of this material as far back as 1945. Later, in characteristic over optimism, I thought that R6 would be the end of it. But that was followed by NOTs and the Purification Rundown and still the string continued to unwind with the ball at the end of it just out of sight. It makes one wonder about such things as fate and destiny, such was the resolve with which I managed to cling to that string, not often knowing how close I was to falling into the abyss myself. But destiny is merely the rationalization of feeble minds. Things don't just happen, they are caused. And causative beings can undo the plans of madmen and would-be enslavers, no matter how long those plans may have been in the making.

I will soon leave this world only to return and complete my mission with another identity. Although I long to stretch my arms back in repose on some distant star in some distant galaxy, it appears that, that is one dream that will have to wait. But my return depends on people like you doing these materials thoroughly and completely so that there will be a genetically uncontaminated body for me to pick up and resume where I left off. A body free of religious mania, right/wrong dichotomy and synthetic karma. The job ahead is far too tough to even contemplate doing with your standard -- courtesy of certain other-dimensional players and their Marcab pieces, many of whom are right here in the general populace -- genetically altered body.

Without the biogeneric meddling of those who stand outside time (who cannot yet directly influence our world and must work through others) the dwindling spiral is not nearly as automatic and self- perpetuating as it appears. There are regions even in isolated parts of the Milky Way where poets are free to poet and magicians can paint reality with their magic wands and exteriorize without body kickback. But these areas unfortunately are fewer and fewer. I will return not as a religious leader but a political one. That happens to be the requisite beingness for the task at hand. I will not be known to most of you, my activities misunderstood by many, yet along with your constant effort in the theta band I will effectively postpone and then halt a series of events designed to make happy slaves of us all.

So there you have it .... The secret that I have kept close to my chest all these years. Now you too are part of this secret and I no longer have to shoulder the burden alone or live with the possibility of body death before all the data could be released. And with this briefing I entrust to each of you the responsibility for this material until such time as I am able to return. For we have no help from any other quarter in this matter. The handful of secret societies throughout history that have caught on to this game have long since fallen by the wayside or been taken over and become instruments of the very menace they were set up to combat.

The rundown is long and can be arduous, but it must be done thoroughly if there is to be any effect not only on the body of the pre-OT but the body of his or her progeny as well. There is some danger, but with OT VII thoroughly complete it is not nearly so great as the danger witnessed by assorted unfortunates who happened to stumble into this area in their sleep or in moments of reverie or snatch, experiencing an hitherto mysterious phenomenon known as "spontaneous combustion".

CAUTION: DO NOT BE PTS[potential trouble source] WHILE TRAVERSING THIS THIRD AND FINAL WALL OF FIRE But the area is well charted, the rundown many years in secret development, and by the time you read this undoubtedly completed on myself. The wins waiting you are like none that you have ever experienced, not just for you, but for your children, your children's children and the whole of mankind, if we succeed. And we will. If we had time we would pity the many poor souls, from 1950 to PT, who chose such an exactly inopportune moment to drop off the road to truth and disconnect from reality, the full burst and glory of OT practically within their grasp. But we haven't the time to "wax philosophic" or ponder might-have-beens. The rundown follows. Again I say, do it thoroughly add completely, for it is your ticket to the stars. And beyond!

L. RON HUBBARD, FOUNDER

scientology

scientology

christianity has nothing on scientology.

Not many cults survive their founders death but scientology was meticulously structured by Hubbard over 35 yrs to survive his passing.
Not many cult leaders care what happens after they die,but Hubbard possesed a degree of meglomania/insanity that surpassed other gurus prompting him to leave the tools that would keep his cult alive without his charismatic presence.
His flawed teachings were validated & reinforced daily by the hords of agreeing & adoring followers & sycophants he surrounded himself with.
Over time Hubbard, actually became a victim of his own insanity & came to believe his crazed doctrines .He believed that he would return in a future life & resume his position as the head of scientology.
But Hubbard,despite the adoration & power he recieved also had to contend with his own demons.Manipulated adoration can never be truly satisfying and this thought must've only served to compound in further agitation and paranoia.
Hubbard is truly a study in the bizarre,an enigmatic chain smoking bundle of contradictions who came to be a God who was worshipped by Drs, lawyers and the likes worldwide.
It doesnt seem possible but he made it happen.

both are based on fiction and inspire rediculous behavior

both are based on fiction and inspire rediculous behavior

both r based on fiction and yet can inspire fanatical & unwavering devotion,particularly scientology...
Religion=coercive manipulation.

What kind of ridiculous behaviour does Christianity inspire?

What kind of ridiculous behaviour does Christianity inspire?

Havent u watched televangelism??



Jim Jones doco.How did evangalist Jim Jones convince 900 people to kill themselves in the largest mass suicide in modern history?

1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls_xzgGYLuQ&mode=related&search=


2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIRAIrlkW1k&mode=related&search=

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf8VQ4DCt5E&mode=related&search=

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ1pz6oJ2d0&mode=related&search=

5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7_oCzauR9E&mode=related&search=

6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku6LGYIP21s&mode=related&search=

7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz85GqBn46I&mode=related&search=

8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM1IMMG7Wmc&mode=related&search

both r based on fiction and yet can inspire fanatical & unwavering devotion,particularly scientology...
Religion=coercive manipulation.

I completely agree.........

I generally flip channels whenever those guys come on tv.

scientology is more stupid at least the bible can be used as an astrological reference guide

scientology is more stupid at least the bible can be used as an astrological reference guide

Also christianity has an official book(bible), available freely, whose pages can be conveniently used to roll joints.

Also christianity has an official book(bible), available freely, whose pages can be conveniently used to roll joints.

haha yes I have done that before

I think Christianity COULD be misunderstood coz the most visible christians misunderstand the religion and are not good role models.

I think Christianity COULD be misunderstood coz the most visible christians misunderstand the religion and are not good role models.

+1000000000000000000000000000

????

Atheists would have no problem admitting they are homosexual.

I believe this to be incorrect. Most people don't give a damn about religion when they are afraid to admit they are gay (unless they are somehow tightly connected to the church, which is not true as most are crappy chirstians). I would think that they would care about the opinion of other people more. And atheists are not immune to that.

Justice Anderson, Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia-


"Scientology is evil; its techniques are evil; its practice is a serious threat to the community, medically, morally, and socially; and its adherents are sadly deluded and often mentally ill... (Scientology is) the world's largest organization of unqualified persons engaged in the practice of dangerous techniques which masquerade as mental therapy"

Am I a crappy Christian? I have not been to church for 6 years atleast. Now that I think of it I have not been to church one time since becoming Christian, I have never seen it as something that's necessary.

It's not necessary to go to church to be a good christian but the majority of the people are just crappy ones and usually the good ones are to be found at church regularly.

Usually.

I want a word from someone who has read about christianity and also read the books by paulo coelho.

What are your comments on work of this guy?

I've never read a book from him. And I'm brazilian.Just doesn't attract me.

I've never read a book from him. And I'm brazilian.Just doesn't attract me.
I'm reading Pilgrimage these days whenever I get time.

Any reason why?

Justice Anderson, Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia-


"Scientology is evil; its techniques are evil; its practice is a serious threat to the community, medically, morally, and socially; and its adherents are sadly deluded and often mentally ill... (Scientology is) the world's largest organization of unqualified persons engaged in the practice of dangerous techniques which masquerade as mental therapy"

And despite this they still get tax exemptions on religious grounds in Australia.

Yea I know its wrong.
Looking at the overinflated prices scientology charges for it courses & services along with aggressive advertising & recruitment techniques that r used indicates a money making operation moreso than a religion

... along with aggressive advertising & recruitment techniques that r used indicates a money making operation moreso than a religion

Actually, after you put it like that, I reverse my position. Scientology is exactly like the religions you see on Sunday morning TV. If those religions are tax exempt, then it's only fair that Scientology is as well. :wacko:

mormonism?

Actually, after you put it like that, I reverse my position. Scientology is exactly like the religions you see on Sunday morning TV. If those religions are tax exempt, then it's only fair that Scientology is as well. :wacko:

Neither deserve tax exempt status.I cant claim tax exempt status for using my car for work without documented proof yet these religious folk can claim tax exempt status for paying for & delivering something that doesn’t even have ANY proven validity outside of the believers testimony that is borne from coercion.
Benny Hinn received a $250,000.00 'tithe' from Evander Holyfied for ‘healing’ him of a heart condition that was later proven to never exist.Sheeesh!

Its a touchy subject that hides behind the ammendmant and the right of freedom to believe what one wants.While this inaliable human right seems reasonable within itself it also opens the gates for manipulation from those who seek to exploit this sacred right for money and power.

^^^^^ i'm forever in awe of your vast wisdom.



i follow jimmy around like a puppy don't i :pooh_lol:

^^^^^ i'm forever in awe of your vast wisdom.



i follow jimmy around like a puppy don't i :pooh_lol:

If a druggie construction worker can pick holes in religion anyone can...



*You know ur giving me a big head dont you wimmer?

^^^^ don't sell yourself short bro.

i'm just laughing at myself because i never even look in these forums until i see that you've posted. :lol:

lets hit the asylum and be goofs hey?

:yes:

scientology