scientology

[thierry ennui]

there seems to be some pressure building against the so called 'church of scientology'. as far as i can tell, it seems to be some sort of ideological pyramid scheme. the church's own literature states that it has some presence here in the uk. certain groups are organising protests against it in the near future.

do forum members think that there is more than the usual cause for concern here? is scientology more sinister than the usual woo that we come across every day? are there any scientologists on here who have anything to say about what's been happening with anonymous etc?

[Mulder]

Any scientologists on here ... well, if there are they're keeping pretty quiet! :smiley:

[Fiona]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qLZJBdvqAv8

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pPol_m8wm8Y

Not sure how much credence to give these but they make me a bit uneasy, especially the second one

[ZERO]

do forum members think that there is more than the usual cause for concern here? is scientology more sinister than the usual woo that we come across every day?
They have the potential to cost a person a lot more money than average woo.

[Cuddles]

is scientology more sinister than the usual woo that we come across every day?

Yes. Scientology is more than just a typical cult. They actively intimidate and threaten anyone who questions them, and are even worse to people who actually try to leave. The main problem is that not only are they pretty much a stereotypical cult, they have the money to do what most cults can only dream of. They're essentially a cult, pyramid scheme and the big business of conspiracy theorists' nightmares all rolled into one.

[filippo lippi]

Aren't Scientologists discouraged from using the internet? The Jref forum has attracted a semi-official Co$ spokesman (see post by FredCarr), but he is always loathe to actually discuss what the Co$ teaches and that you should "buy the books" if you want to know all about it.

[Cuddles]

Aren't Scientologists discouraged from using the internet? The Jref forum has attracted a semi-official Co$ spokesman (see post by FredCarr), but he is always loathe to actually discuss what the Co$ teaches and that you should "buy the books" if you want to know all about it.

That's really one of the big weaknesses of Scientology - it's so obviously a steaming pile of horsecrap. The only way they get away with anything is that they are extremely thorough about making sure no-one can find out what they actually claim without giving them a lot of money first. Even a lot of people involved with Scientology don't actually know about a lot of the aliens, volcanoes and various other crap that it's based on, and they're very aggressive with legal action, and various rather less than legal action, whenever someone makes any of their "secret" material public.

There's a lot of information about Scientology here (http://www.xenu.net/).

[Cuddles]

Heh. For possibly the best descriptions of Scientology ever:
http://www.b3ta.com/challenge/scientology/popular/

Almost certainly not suitable for work. Or for children. Or adults. Or the sane.

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

Heh. For possibly the best descriptions of Scientology ever:
http://www.b3ta.com/challenge/scientology/popular/

Almost certainly not suitable for work. Or for children. Or adults. Or the sane.

The Cruise/Travolta hybrid is just scary.

[mahakala]

If you read dianetics you will probably want to read it twice because you will think you must have missed something the first time. You didn't. There is nothing there.

The process of scientology, in my opinion, is a well organized and very effective way to induce lower and lower levels of intelligence.

It is evil.

[filippo lippi]

The M-dog sceptical about some woo? Say it ain't so.

[filippo lippi]

What the interweb needs in Spike Milligan's "Jehovah's Burglars" sketch*, that sums up th Co$ quite nicely.










*From memory

Spike:(dressed in hooped shirt, carrying a bag marked swag, knocks on a rich door)
Householder: Yes?
S: I'm a Jehovah's burglar and I'm being persecuted for my beliefs
H: And what are they?
S: I believe you have a lot of silver in your house and I'm going to put it in my sack

[augur]

They're essentially a cult, pyramid scheme and the big business of conspiracy theorists' nightmares all rolled into one.

Yep, very strange lot! Check out this creepy Tom Cruise vid:

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=5787224472387568941&q=scientology&total=8902&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=6

[DrS]

It was post 5 in THIS (http://www.skeptics.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1985&highlight=cruise+mad)thread. :smiley:

[SimonC]

Has anyone else been reading about the recent 'Anonymous' protests against scientology?

Google/youtube 'anonymous vs scientology' or 'project chanology'. I'm not quite sure what to make of it all, but it's certainly intriguing. ???

[augur]

It was post 5 in THIS (http://www.skeptics.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1985&highlight=cruise+mad)thread. :smiley:

Woops! Sorry, newbie error, please forgive meh :wnw:

[DrS]

Wasn't a criticism! Just thought you might be interested to see the thread. :smiley:

[augur]

The infallibility of L Ron Hubbard ... Lord Xenu ... heh, these guys would be funnier if they hadn't demonstrated themselves to be so dangerous!