OT - Whats your Views on...

[Denism]

Scientology?

Scientology is a cult developed by American science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard began Scientology in 1952 as a self-help philosophy, an outgrowth of his earlier self-help system, Dianetics, and later described it as a new religion. He said that it offered an exact methodology to help humans achieve awareness of their spiritual existence across many lifetimes and, simultaneously, to become more effective in the physical world. The name "Scientology" is also used to refer to the often controversial Church of Scientology, the largest organization promoting the practice of Scientology, which is itself part of a network of affiliated organizations that claim ownership and sole authority to disseminate Dianetics and Scientology.

Hubbard stated that a goal of Scientology is to rehabilitate the thetan (roughly equivalent to the soul) to regain its native state of "total freedom." Church spokespeople and practitioners say that Hubbard's teachings (called "Technology" or "Tech" in Scientology terminology) have saved them from many problems and enabled them to better realize their potential in business and in their personal lives.[1][2] However, former members and outside observers—including journalists, lawmakers, and national governing bodies of several countries—have described the Church as an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses critics and defectors and exploits its members.[3][4] Although Scientologists are usually free to practice their beliefs, the organized church has often encountered opposition due to their strong-arm tactics against critics and members wishing to leave the organization. While a number of governments now view the Church as a religious organization entitled to the protections and tax relief that such status brings, others view it as a pseudoreligion, a cult, or a transnational corporation.

Have we any members here believers in this?
Since this is big in the USA, i was wondering, whats yeir opinion on this??

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

it has to be bad if Tom Cruise is the cults spokesman...

[PatsWickedPissah]

L Ron Hubbard was a science fiction writer. In a bar he made a bet with John Campbell that he could found a religion. He did. Made lots of money. It's a cult, similar to the more recent Religion of Global Warming where no dissent is allowed.

This thread should be moved to the religious discussion forum with all the wackos there.

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

Science FICTION is very fitting...

[DarrylS]

Dunno know all about it, but do not like Tom Cruise as a spokesman, stayed in Times Square last year on a side street, next to us was a bldg. that was owned by them.. thought this must be a rich church, so my view is just that it is a rich hollywood phenom, no relevance to me.

[gomezcat]

I think the South Park episode summed it up really well. What sort of people believe in that crap?

[ironwasp]

Originally Posted by gomezcat

I think the South Park episode summed it up really well. What sort of people believe in that crap?

Hey, I believe in that crap. Oh wait, no I don't, I'm a jedi and I believe in the Force.

[sdaniels7114]

I feel that this religion is a joke that Hubbard fully intended to let everyone in on; but then he died too soon. Now he's in the after world saddened by the burden he's placed on all those people.