Anybody else completely dumbfounded by the spread of Scientology?
923962
I think that it is no surprise that it is so popular.  rumour has it, Hubbard and Heinlein had a bet going to see if hubbard could come up with a new religion.  by the way, hubbard wrote over 300 books, only a few of which were science fiction.  most of his work was adventure novels, and westerns.  he had a great grasp on what the masses "wanted".\n\nthe thing about scientology is that it is based around individualism, and the cult of self.  if you look at mass media feeding our individualistic inclinations, it is almost as if we are being prepped for receptivity towards a message which says "you are the ultimate"  all you need is a system to make yourself better.   I don't think that all of the trappings of scientology are really dogmatic in the sense of religious faith, but rather they are a response to the religious tenet of self-as-ultimate.  I really think scientology is pretty cookoo, but at the very least you have to give them credit for admitting to the fact that it is an invented religion, and not claiming to have recieved it from on high like many religions.  \n\nthe development of all religions (in my opinion) comes out of a communities very real expression of their beliefs around the ultimate.  Paul Tillich would say that the aim of religion is the "ultimate concern" and that we ALL have an ultimate concern...  the problem comes when we elevate a finite thing into the realm of the ultimate...  it seems pretty silly to me to elevate finite human beings into the ultimate...  I would rather have WRONG beliefs (that I felt were right, or adequate) about something I thought of as infinite, than try to make something so obviously finite into the infiinite.\n\nhope this helps....\n\njmk
497209
Thankfully there are more choices than just the two.  I am Wiccan, i don't believe in the Bible as the Holy word of God, but I do believe that there are good messages in the Bible and that Jesus was a good person.  I don't know that much about Scientology, but I hate Tom Cruise.
1026971
This isn't the first "End of Times" panic!  The ignorant masses are swept into a fervour by their spiritual leaders.  I believe this is a corrosive factor in humanity.  Whether it is religious rapture or Y2K, far too many people are just plain gullible.   What I see isn't really the end of times but a renewal of the dark ages.  Those in the dark remain in the dark and teach their kids there is no light.  The emergence of highly respected American Evangelist Zealots is very very disturbing and is leading to a new flat earth that the universe revolves around.
69110
I never thought I'd be one of "those people" who believed in who believed in some far-out "conspiracy theory."  Yet, here I am ... on the other side.  And now it is so frustrating.  No "mainstream" media or establishment will touch or entertain the thought that it wasn't terrorists who orchestrated the destruction on 9/11.  And as I now write and can imagine others who read this and "dis" this idea as one of those idotic conspiracy theories, I can only think, "been there, done that."  Yeh, I've "dissed" all those people as loonies.  So, for right now it seems quite lonely because it's hard to hang one's hat on anything tangible ... there's no place to go with these new thoughts in my head.\nOkay, I'm a democrat, but people, this goes beyond politics.  This is about being mislead by some organization within our own borders!  Sure, like everyone else, on 9/11 it was obvious that it was us Americans against some foreign enemy.  We were all united.  Why can't everyone be convinced that our real enemy is not across the sea, but operates within our own country, and for some reason created 9/11 in order to obtain their greedy and misguided objectives?
132936
Religions already been exposed. It's just that some brainwashed cretins are not smart enough to see it for what is is.
1134264
Yeah, kinda silly isn't it? You can tell this religion was founded by a very evil man, can't you? \n\nI'm with you all the way...
975445
Yes, I don't know if they even come up to the level of cult. It looks as though "Rev. Moon" just uses his followers as sale people to advance his personal wealth...   Jim
1032786
Nooo he's a scientologist ...wait a minute  maybe he is...him and tom crusie ..hehehhee
352509
Yes I am, and I don't appreciate the dirty tricks squads from their people. All the scandals in the name of Capitalistic Religion. Our forefathers knew best about separation of church and State, and it would keep America from falling into a Fascist Dictatorship, lead by a false Religion. Capitalism is not a Religion of the Lord, it's just the opposite of. It's says you can't follow two masters and be tuned into the Lord.
285477
I think mormons limit their lives so much so to the point it becomes boring and I wouldnt justify Kabllah by even calling it a religion. Its just a celebrity fad. And scientology seems absurd in the fact that they refuse to take medicine. God invented it so I don't understand why they wont just break down and take it.
503910
cause its absolutly rediculous. Like who really believes that a group of isrealites sailed to america and started a great civilization before the birth of christ? the mormans do and that is why theyre relgion is bunk (oh and also jesus coming back during the wild west is outrageous).
400068
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.
1101870
Yea dude, that was really a load of BS, I can't believe how these peeps are brainwashing some of us.
220994
It's a money making scheme that is based on the works of science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard's.  It is a complete and total BS and can be downright dangerous at times!
200073
I believe it, but I do not know the truth. I think it's ironic that after years of ridiculing all other religions nothing is said until Scientology gets ranked.
822435
It's a made up religion by a sci-fi producer or writer.. L. Ron. Hubbard. Completely made up and many people in Hollywood are followers. It's ridiculous and shouldn't be observed as a religion. I wasn't raised with any religion but I do believe they should have had a Catholic ceremony since that is from both their upbringings.
7365
Scientologists are either the believers, or those old hands who realize it's a scam and they are in it to fleece the newcomers. The believers are not insane in the sense that they are "crazy", "psychotic" or whatever. They are desperate for answers to questions that have begged for answers for millenia. Most of these questions boil down to, "Why does life hurt sometimes?" or "Why am I here?". They see a few nuggets of common sense in Scientology, and being desperate for answers, they get conned into accepting the whole load of faulty thinking that comprised L. Ron's philosophy on life. Then they get conned into the space-aliens-as-gods thing or whatever weird nonsense Scientology says to its members. So, yes- I think lots of them are kinda brainwashed, and for the vast majority of Scientologists it's not insanity that gets them to embrace the e-meter.