Scientology ?

[Figment2]

I know very little about Scientology even though I own a couple of Mr. Hubbard's books (hey, I grew up in the 60's).

They have a tent up in the Federal Plaza here in Chicago. As I was walking to the train last night I noticed two "Volunteer Ministers" off to the side smoking (they had t shirts on that said Volunteer Minister).

Isn't Scientology against drugs (thinking Tom Cruise interviews here) and aren't cigarettes considered a drug by many?
Just wondering...

Cyn

 

[bicker]

Scientology opposes psychiatry. Scientology opposes nicotine no more and no less than Christianity AFAIK.

 

[Geoff_M]

It must have been those alien souls living inside them that made them do it!

 

[bicker]

I'm sure I wouldn't appreciate my religious beliefs being referred to in such a disparaging manner.

 

[WDWguru]

Scientology is not a religion. It's a profit-making cult that recruits celebrities to try and boost their image. I grew up in Clearwater, Florida, home of their world headquarters, where it's pretty obvious exactly what their motives are.

Flame suit on.

 

[alliecats]

I'm sure I wouldn't appreciate my religious beliefs being referred to in such a disparaging manner.

They are not really a religion. In the past, they have been quite open about the fact that they class themselves as a religion in order to gain tax exempt status. And they do believe that humans are inhabited by spirits called "thetans"--spirits of alien creatures who died long ago.

 

[alliecats]

From Time Magazine's cover story:

The Church of Scientology, started by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard to "clear" people of unhappiness, portrays itself as a religion. In reality the church is a hugely profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner. At times during the past decade, prosecutions against Scientology seemed to be curbing its menace. Eleven top Scientologists, including Hubbard's wife, were sent to prison in the early 1980s for infiltrating, burglarizing and wiretapping more than 100 private and government agencies in attempts to block their investigations. In recent years hundreds of longtime Scientology adherents -- many charging that they were mentally of physically abused -- have quit the church and criticized it at their own risk. Some have sued the church and won; others have settled for amounts in excess of $500,000. In various cases judges have labeled the church "schizophrenic and paranoid" and "corrupt, sinister and dangerous."

 

[bicker]

I believe it is up to them to decide whether or not their beliefs are religious in nature. I surely don't want you determining whether my faith is a religion or not, so I think it would only be fair to afford Scientologists the same consideration and respect.

If you have criminal charges to make, this isn't the correct venue.

And they do believe that humans are inhabited by spirits called "thetans"--spirits of alien creatures who died long ago.

Yes, I know. I was referring specifically to the whistling icon -- again, I'd surely rather folks defaulted to respecting rather than disparaging the beliefs of others.

 

[Geoff_M]

I'm sure I wouldn't appreciate my religious beliefs being referred to in such a disparaging manner.

I can take it. Go ahead.

Yes, I know. I was referring specifically to the whistling icon -- again, I'd surely rather folks defaulted to respecting rather than disparaging the beliefs of others.

Until it gives me reasons to do otherwise, I agree.

 

[alliecats]

I believe it is up to them to decide whether or not their beliefs are religious in nature. I surely don't want you determining whether my faith is a religion or not, so I think it would only be fair to afford Scientologists the same consideration and respect.

If you have criminal charges to make, this isn't the correct venue.

Yes, I know. I was referring specifically to the whistling icon -- again, I'd surely rather folks defaulted to respecting rather than disparaging the beliefs of others.

Obviously no one is making "charges" here, merely quoting a source that happened to mention charges in the past, as you know. This is as good a venue as any. Nor was anyone here trying to convince Scientologists they are mistaken, but our opinion of it is just as valid as yours. You can choose to respect it, that is your right. Others feel differently, and their reasons NOT to respect this organization are also just as valid (and perhaps based on research or personal experience)

According to Reader's Digest, May 1980, the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, once said, ""Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion." Again, anyone is free to intepret that how they want.