No disrespect to anyone meant, but what was L. Ron Hubbard smoking when he came up with Scientology?
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From what I've read it sounds like he did it on a bet.  That he could make up a religion and get rich from it.  He succeeded.  He must have been on drugs when he came up with this junk.  Not only that those that follow it like some movie stars *cough*Tom Cruise*cough*  need their heads examined cause something isn't right somewhere to believe we are possessed by aliens and earth was an alien prison planet.  They have wonderful meds now for delusions like that!
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Hi Bethany,\n\nI am glad you are researching into it...I have had a lot of time for my own reasons to look into scientology and have found some rather worrying stuff on the subject.  I urge you to do a lot of research at not only the scientology sites and from his books but also from critical sites and the evidence they present, as well as there opinion.  These critical sites are often run by or added to by ex-members who have spent, often decades in scientology before realising the true nature behind it.  There are many philosophies, activities and help groups you can go to that do not involve money, that do work, and are not highly disputed by individuals, ex-members, scientists, governments & all the families whose loved ones have disconnected from them.\n\nIt is not endorsed by the mainstream scientific community and infact has many ideas and theories which have been flat out rejected.  He also did not do any of the research he claims to have done, or at least all the evidence of it mysteriously vanished.\n\nAre you aware that Hubbard thought that religions are an implant (R6 implant that forms the basis of your reactive mind)\nhttp://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/xenu\n\nYou are right to suspect of the Church of Scientology as a cult and that it exhibits less than desirable actions, such as all these court transcripts, or Operation Snowflake, or the way it hounds its critics...\nhttp://www.clambake.org/archive/CourtFiles/\nhttp://www.clambake.org/archive/judge_quotes.html\nhttp://www.daisy.freeserve.co.uk/bonniewoods.htm\nhttp://www.scientology-lies.com/investigation.html\n\nHere is a paper presented at the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, November, 1991\nhttp://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/kent/isc.html\n\nAlso see this Govt. Report:\nhttp://www.xenu.net/archive/audit/fosthome.html\n\nHere is an info pack on what scientology might not tell you, written mainly by ex-members:\nhttp://www.clambake.org/archive/infopack/\n\nHere is something that explains their practices\nhttp://www.clambake.org/archive/techniques/\n\nYou might also like to read these accounts by ex-members:\nhttp://www.clambake.org/archive/books/apobs/\nhttp://www.clambake.org/archive/books/isd/isd.htm\nhttp://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/xenu/xenu.html\n\nPlease review the following sites as well as any you might have read given to you by the Church of Scientology.\n\nhttp://www.xenu.net\nhttp://www.factnet.org\nhttp://www.truthaboutscientology.com\nhttp://www.scientology-lies.com\nhttp://www.lermanet.com\nhttp://www.xenutv.com\n\nIf you still want to follow Hubbards Teaching pls do so in the FreeZone not the CofS.  It is much cheaper, original tech, and without the cult thing.\n\nhttp://www.fzaoint.net     \nhttp://www.fza.org     \nhttp://www.freezone.org\n\nAnd just to be fair here is the Official site for the Church of Scientology:\nhttp://www.scientology.org\n\nPlease do the reading and make an informed decision, I wish you all the best for the future no matter what decision you make.
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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 (he) 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.... 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.... \nNo 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 the arch-enemy of Christ, referred to as the anti-Christ, will reign and his opinions will have sway ... this anti-Christ represents the forces of Lucifer (literally, the "light-bearer" or "light-bringer"), Lucifer being a mythical representation of the forces of enlightenment.... My mission could be said to fulfill the Biblical promise represented by this brief anti-Christ period. \n-- L. Ron Hubbard, Student Briefing, OT VIII Series I\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\n_ \n\n1. Introduction\nThe controversial Church of Scientology had its beginnings in 1950 with the publication of the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health by L. Ron Hubbard. \n\nAccording to Dianetic theory, the mind is composed of mental image pictures of every event in a person's life. Memories, or pictures, of painful events from the past containing pain or unconsciousness are known in Dianetics as "engrams." By recalling and "erasing" these memories a person can be restored to perfect physical and mental health and analytical functioning. A person whose engrams have all been erased is called a "Clear." \n\nIt is the purpose of Scientology to "clear the planet." In other words, that every person in the world will eventually be cleared of his engrams through Dianetic "processing." \n\nBy 1954, Hubbard had "discovered" that in order to be truly "clear," a person also had to erase all the engrams from his hundreds of past lives. The new science of Scientology was founded and organized as a religion to incorporate this belief. Sooner or later, most people in Scientology will begin to "remember" (imagine) their past lives. \n\nScientologists do believe in reincarnation, which is an occult belief. \n\nAccording to the theology of Scientology, a person is actually an invisible entity, similar to the soul in Christianity. This entity in Scientology is known as the "thetan." \n\nAs the thetan becomes relieved of his engrams, he will regain the many godlike powers that are inherently his -- powers such as telepathy, "exteriorization" (the ability to be separate from his body with full perception), telekinesis (the ability to move objects with thought), etc. The belief in Scientology is that we were once godlike, and that we have deteriorated over time. The promise of Scientology is that through Scientology counseling, called "auditing," the person can regain these godlike abilities. \n\nA thetan who has been restored to a godlike state is known in Scientology as an "operating thetan," or "OT" (pronounced "oh-tee"). People in Scientology spend exorbitant fees, sometimes as much as $1000 per hour, to attain the exalted state of OT. \n\nDeath in Scientology is known as "dropping the body." According to Scientology theory, when a person dies, he (the thetan, or spirit) has been pre-programmed to "return" to an "implant station" out in space. In the implant station, the thetan will have all memories from the most recent lifetime electronically erased, and then the thetan will be sent back to earth to "pick up a new
321243
I dislike this religion because of many  things. The people my dad works with are all scientologists. The church's money collector comes by ever payday to take part of their wages. Once the secretary was completely broke, only had $10 for gas money, and they took that. Why people continue giving all their money to them is unfathomable to me. Besides, the guy who formed the church (L. Ron Hubbard) was a science fiction writer for goodness sakes...As always, to each their own, but I certainly don't understand it.
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Scientology is not a system of "beliefs". It is an applied religious philosophy. And when I say "applied" I mean it is applied to life and living in all it's aspects with the purpose of improving the conditions of life.\nNothing in Scientology is true, unless it is true for you.\nAnd then it is only true according to your own observation and experience.\nSo there is no belief involved.\nI have studied and applied it to my own life and living for the past 35 years or more. It definitely works for me.\nAs to aliens.....??? No idea where this comes from.\nSilent birth is definitely an ideal environment for both mother and baby if you can arrange it. (Tom Cruise has the resources to do this for his partner Katie and soon to be born, new baby)\nThe reason why is fully explained in Chapter 7 " Prenatal Experience and Birth" in the book "Dianetics The Modern Science of Mental "Health" by L.Ron Hubbard\n\nFor a very good basic book on the subject of Scientology which covers\nall of it's basic principles I would recommend:\n"Scientology The Fundementals of Thought" by the same author.
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Hi there,\nLong term Scientologist here (for 35 years plus).\nMy answer:\nIt's a "story". \nYOU don't take every story you hear seriously, especially when the source is from dubious websites and general rumour or media ........\n(I hope.)\nWell , neither do we.\nPeople who create this kind of thing usually have their own private agendas and are trying to ridicule and invalidate or attack their target for some hidden reason that you do not see.\nThis is not a new activity specific to the religion of Scientology.(or even religions actually)\nThe Romans circulated all kinds of rumours about the early Christians,\nto justify throwing them to the lions as a popular public event.\nHitler circulated similar false and alarming rumours about the Jews, not so long ago, (one of which was that they ate babies! ).\nThis allowed 6 million human beings to be murdered without any public protest from the German people.\nAnd so it goes on.
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So some aliens were in this volcano and the volcano exploded.  Now these aliens were really bad but humans were really good.  So when the volcano exploded these alien's badness covered all the good humans.  So the good humans do bad stuff.  Scientology teaches you how to get rid of the badness of these aliens.  It costs about $400,000 to learn how to get rid of these aliens badness from your human goodness.  I guess if you don't have this money then you can't get rid of this badness.\n\nHow about this instead.  We're all bad and we need to be made good in the eyes of God.  God is perfect and we are not.  To be forgiven for our sins against God we need a savior. Out of God's love for us, He sent a savior, his son, Jesus to bridge the gap between our sinfulness and his perfection.  By repenting of our sins and trusting Jesus to save us , we avoid God's justice and receive the perfect love of God.  And God's love is AWESOME!
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He's simply fulfilling a Scientology prophecy that L. Ron Hubbard wrote decades ago. Verse 12 of Regurgitations:\n\nAnd then there shall come a Wayfarer who shall cruise upon floors in white tube socks (while -- ahem -- not quite walking upon water). At Mount Oprah, he will bounce in ecstasy upon couches. In silence, the Chosen One will come.
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"Dianetics" by L. Ron Hubbard
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Scientology is most certainly practiced by millions of everyday people.It was started by L ron Hubbard and has chapters all over.It is also most certainly a cult,although members will argue that point.Scientologists do not believe in conventional medicine.Not even asprin.What if you are a diabetic,and need insulin?A friend of mine(ex friend)has become a minister in the church of scientology,here in Boston.She devotes most of her time and money to it.
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The word Scientology literally means "the study of truth." It comes from the Latin word "scio" meaning "knowing in the fullest sense of the word" and the Greek word "logos" meaning "study of." \n\nScientology is the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life. The Scientology religion comprises a body of knowledge extending from certain fundamental truths. Prime among these: \n\nMan is an immortal, spiritual being. His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime. His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized — and those capabilities can be realized. He is able to not only solve his own problems, accomplish his goals and gain lasting happiness, but also achieve new, higher states of awareness and ability. \n\nIn Scientology no one is asked to accept anything as belief or on faith. That which is true for you is what you have observed to be true. An individual discovers for himself that Scientology works by personally applying its principles and observing or experiencing results. \n\nThrough Scientology, people all over the world are achieving the long-sought goal of true spiritual release and freedom. \n\nThis aka, "cult" was created by —L. Ron Hubbard \nThe Creation of Human Ability \n\nHe is the one the authored the book, Dianetics?\n\nLets go to scripture and see what the Word of god speaks of these false teachings.\n\n2 Peter 2:01,2............:1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. \n\n1st John 4:01...........1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. \n\nMore or less sister we both know that this is a flase teaching and the spirit has warned us..\nSo God bless and Amen...
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Is Scientology posing a real threat to Christian America or summink?  This is the third or fourth paranoid question about that organisation in a week!\n\nIf they're crackpots let them carry on cracking pots. \n\nYou can ask a similar question about Christian (blind) faith.  How on earth does a Jewish guy being murdered by the Romans on a cross save humanity either then or now - especially as Hebrew scripture forbids (1) human sacrifice and (2) the deification of a human sacrifice?\n\nSome Christians find the real answer to that question and carry on believing in their faith. This is because faith is often the replacement or removal of rational reasoning, facts, evidence, and logic.\n\nWhy is Scientology being held up to higher standards than other blind faiths?
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Gawd, why dont people listen???? He's not. I saw the interview where he made that statement. He was being sarcastic because of his scientology beliefs. After he said it, he stated he was joking.
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This is what Scientologists ACTUALLY believe:\n\nXenu was an alien ruler of the "Galactic Confederacy" who, 75 million years ago, brought billions of people to Earth in spacecrafts resembling Douglas DC-8 airliners, stacked them around volcanoes and blew them up with hydrogen bombs. Their souls then clustered together and stuck to the bodies of the living. The alien souls continue to do this today, causing a variety of physical ill-effects in modern-day humans. L. Ron Hubbard (a science-fiction writer and the creator of Scientology) called these clustered spirits "Body Thetans," and the advanced levels in Scientology place considerable emphasis on isolating them and neutralizing their ill effects.\n\nTo rid ourselves of "Body Thetans" and also “engrams” (past negative experiences stored in our unconscious mind) so that we can become “clear”, we have to go through "auditing" with a member of the “church” who uses an "e-meter" to measure our “reactive mind”...... and we have to pay lots and lots and lots of money for “auditing” (purchased in 12.5-hour blocks, costing anywhere from $750 for introductory sessions to between $8,000 and $9,000 for advanced sessions) and to take courses on Scientology to advance to higher “levels” in the “church”.  The “church” has also taken a very hostile stance towards psychiatry and psychiatric drugs irrespective of the fact that some people require medication to remain adequately functional in everyday life.  They deny the reality of chemical imbalance and profound mental disturbance and accordingly do NOTHING to effectively stabilize the dangerously unstable. The “church” has been known to withhold prescription pharmaceuticals from member (with deadly results).\n\nScientology is undeniably a cult. Every cult can be defined as a group having all of the following five characteristics:\n\n(1) It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members [convincing potential members that they are unhappy and Scientology is the only means of helping themselves]. (2) It forms an elitist totalitarian society. [they label everyone who disagrees or questions as a “Suppressive Person” and requires members to “disconnect” from them] (3) Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma. [Yes, that would be Hubbard] (4) It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds & recruit people. (5) Its wealth does not benefit its members or society. [self evident proof for 4 & 5 as it does milk members for virtually everything they have and it’s wealth doesn’t find it’s way back to it’s members or society at all]\n\nCults are extremely harmful. To remain within the strict mental and social confines of a cult for even a short time can have the following disastrous effects:\n\nLoss of choice and free will. Diminished intellectual ability, vocabulary and sense of humor. Reduced use of irony, abstractions and metaphors. Reduced capacity to form flexible and intimate relationships. Poor judgment. Physical deterioration. Malnutrition. Hallucinations, panic, dissociation, guilt, identity diffusion and paranoia. Neurotic, psychotic or suicidal tendencies.
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I get pretty cheesed off myself reading all the baloney that gets spewed forth on this forum about Scientology.\nJust between us two I'm also a bit weary answering the same questions about it.\nI must have answered over 100 or more in the last few weeks, trying to put some factual information out, between all the utter nonesense.\nSeems like some folks just use this forum as a garbage dump, instead of sharing any actual, factual knowledge the might have about a subject.\nHaving said all that (and sorry for dumping on you , please don't take it personally)\nScientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. This is different from a religious practice. All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosphy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on anyones faiths of beliefs particularly in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the indivdual, which is why you can be a practicing Jew for example and still use and apply the priniciples of Scientology in your life. It does not conflict. If anything it will enhance your understanding of your chosen religious practice.\nAnd it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.\n\nThe most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.\nThe whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. And thereby his native abilities .\nWhen you do this the spere and zone of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.\n\nHow this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit.\n\nHe published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"\nThis is a MUCH easier read than Dianetics, (only about 100 pages instead of over 500) Dianetics does not explain Scientology since it preceded it and was first published in 1950.\n\nNow I know there have been some complaints that I keep telling people to read this book. I understand that some people just don't read books, or find reading difficult, but honestly the explanation and introduction to the subject is fully contained in this book. And you can apply it's principles right away, for yourself.\nThat way you can actually experience what it is for yourself. Then maybe you can help me to answer these questions !@!!*!!\nBecause then you will KNOW.
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Scientology is a system of beliefs and practices created by American author [1][2] L. Ron Hubbard in 1952 as a self-help philosophy. By 1960 Hubbard had redefined it as a "religion by its basic tenets".[3] The Church of Scientology, by far the largest organization promoting the belief system of Scientology, is sometimes referred to simply as "Scientology".\n\nThe Church of Scientology presents itself as a religious non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of the human spirit and providing counseling and rehabilitation programs. Church spokespeople claim that Hubbard's teachings (called "technology" or "tech" in Scientology terminology) have saved them from addictions, arthritis, depression, learning disabilities, mental illness, cancer, homosexuality[4][5] and other perceived problems.\n\nThe controversial organization has attracted much criticism and distrust throughout the world because of its closed nature and strong-arm tactics in handling critics.[6] Lawmakers, including national governing bodies of several countries, have characterized the Church as an unscrupulous commercial organization, citing harassment of critics and exploitation of its members.[7] Scientology's principles have been characterized as pseudoscientific by scientists, medical doctors and psychotherapeutic practitioners. Although some religious scholars have deemed Scientology a religion [8] it has frequently been perceived as a cult and a pseudoreligion. [9][10]\n\nThere are approximately 55,000 Scientology adherents in the United States according to a survey published by the U.S. Census bureau.[11] The worldwide number of adherents is disputed. The Church of Scientology claims between 8 to 10 million followers. Adherents.com suggests there may be 500,000 adherents worldwide [12] while other groups say the number is likely to be less than 100,000 in total.[
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L. Ron Hubbard started it as a money making device exploiting the ignorance of the people. Now it has grown into a cult with  criminal implications warranting prosecution against those who are associated with it.  If you are trying to collect a data base, you are misusing the Yahoo Answers for an illegal purpose. Of course, the organization is not yet banned by the US Government.