Scientology: Why are We Not Scared?
by Have you ever actually looked into these people?
I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this when I first saw it. This, for those of you unaware, is for all intensive purposes, one of the very public faces of a religious organization called ‘Scientology’. Up until I saw this, I was only vaguely aware of the organization. I knew it was relatively new, that it boasted a number of celebrity members, and had something or other to do with aliens. After watching this, my curiosity was piqued. What I learned is, in some ways, rather frightening. It very much calls into question the process our country, and others around the world, use to define a ‘religion’ per se…. but we’ll get to that in a bit… first, a look at what Scientology is.
Please be forewarned… this video contains disturbing images.
My first reaction was, of course, doubt. How could this organization continue unchecked if this were true? So, step by step, I investigated the legitimacy of each individual claim made. Disturbingly, many appear to be based in truth. Operation ‘Snow White’ was fact. The deaths spoken of were fact. Hubbard’s conviction was a fact, although it was left out that it took place overseas, and that he was absentee. But it’s enough to see that there might actually be some legitimacy to the claims. My next step was to find out what exactly this religion consists of.
We’ll start with known fact.
“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”
Science Fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard said this in 1940. In 1955, he did just that. I have read pages upon pages of text originating both within and outside of ‘church’ doctrines, and amazingly, this clip from the television show ‘Boston Legal’ is actually a rather accurate portrayal of the beliefs.
So here we have a ‘religion’, founded by an average pulp science fiction writer, with a storyline that in places defies not only common sense, but science as well. But there are some who would lay the same claims to the story of Christ and the resurrection, so however improbable or offensive to common sense this ’scripture’ may be, that can’t really be used as a strike against it.
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post CommentLee Ness
On October 1, 2009 at 8:07 am
HI I am surprise no else has written an article on this topic.
Excellent write up. Thank you we all need to know more about this group
Lee Ness
http://trifter.com/practical-travel/tips/preventing-jet-lag-from-settling-in-on-your-trip/
Petalm
On October 1, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Terrible write up. Sorry I gave you the page view. Of all the distructive evil and anti-establishment organizations in the world you choose to bash Scientology? Have you looked at all the good they do, at the community service, and the drug rehabilitation and work they do with prisoners? One of the definitions of religion is ” having to do with the soul” and this scientology does, as it tries to teach people to take control of their own lives and fulfil their potential. Pick on some one else, there are plenty of badies out there but Scientology is not one of them. And I’m sure you didn’t fully get the Tom video as in the begining he mentions KSW, do you know what that is?
Lydia
On October 1, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I have to agree with Petalm. It seems that people are more prejudice then we really know. Scientology is a religion, many would argue that is not, yet the same people would argue about religion as whole. I remember reading a book on how people stopped Native American from practicing their spiritual practices. They called them animals and not human, that their religious practices were scary. Sad that the few were able to persuade the masses, today Native American (do to genocide) make up less than 1% of the American population and their practices are pretty much dead.
To me Scientology is a religion and should probably be understood. I am watching their PSA’s on YouTube right now. http://www.youtube.com/ChurchofScientology
T.Rex McGoogle
On October 1, 2009 at 5:54 pm
The article and the letters are very interesting. I’m sort of neutral about Scientology. I don’t know who’s cause they have
hurt. I need to read up on any society damaging aspects of the religion. I don’t think their intent is to do any such thing. I think their message is far better than the murderous marauders
of the militant wings of Islam. And some other so-called religions. I prefer a religion that tries to make better people and not kill those who reject it. I’m just old fashioned I guess. So my image of Scientology is far better than some religions that have wreaked havoc on human populations all around the world. I can find better ways to use my time than to criticize Scientology until I learn some terrible things about it. I think we should take more of our time to criticize the bad ones and leave well enough alone with the more harmless ones.
Grammer = Credibility
On October 1, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I stopped reading this when I got to “all intensive purposes” in the first paragraph.
It’s ‘all intents and purposes’ jack ass.
cybertruth
On October 1, 2009 at 11:53 pm
some people are simply to narrow minded to see the forest for the trees. Writing is about delivering a message, moron. not passing a grammar test.
Aauhein
On October 2, 2009 at 3:43 pm
This is a perfect example of mis-information. For starters what\’s being portrayed in the Boston Legal clip as Scientology is actually Dianetics. Engrams is a Dianetics word. Dianetics is the science of the mind. Dianetics is a result of the scientific research of L. Ron Hubbard. It is also the same scientific research that was so suppressed L. Ron Hubbard was forced to do his research in international waters aboard his own vessel. The truth is, Scientology came about as a catalyst for Dianetics and Dianetics flies in the face of those who truelly wish to control the world. Any fool knows that if you plan on taking on any entrenched system of logic or illogic as the case seems to me, you better pack a lunch. Hence the comment: \”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.\” The IRS is an illegal agency of the government by the way. I bet you didn\’t know that the IRS seized files from the Church of Scientology and those found to be members were harassed by the IRS. It was a bitter fight and the IRS was not without fault.
Watchman
On October 4, 2009 at 12:05 am
I see that the Scientologists have gone mostly unchallenged in this thread, that’s pretty rare. I guess this article must have slipped under the radar.
To start out I’d like to refute the lies that were told by Aauhein. Dianetics is not a science, Dianetics is a bunch of outdated “new age” ideas, that were either dreamed up or plagiarized by L Ron Hubbard. L.R.H. was not a doctor or a scientist he was in fact a charlatan that lied about all of his credentials. In fact Hubbard had zero credentials, and all of he’s “teachings” are bogus.
Hubbard tells the reader that Dianetics “…contains a therapeutic technique with which can be treated all inorganic mental ills and all organic psycho-somatic ills, with assurance of complete cure….” However, in a disclaimer on the frontispiece of the book, we are told that “Scientology and its sub-study, Dianetics, as practiced by the Church…does not wish to accept individuals who desire treatment of physical illness or insanity but refers these to qualified specialists of other organizations who deal in these matters.” The disclaimer seems clearly to have been a protective mechanism against lawsuits for practicing medicine without a license; the author repeatedly insists that dianetics can cure just about anything that ails you. That is why Hubbard/Scientology has never produced any scientific data to back up any claims.
Scientology is a unscrupulous cult that bilks their member. They threatens, slanders, harasses, and litigates their critics, and ex members with the intent to utterly destroy them. Scientology has a laundry list six decades long starting from it’s inception. Scientology is a very bad and dangerous cult, their list of crimes, and victims are too long to list here, but it is documented very well on the Internet.
Dianetics/Scientology was a scam from the get-go, the only thing they care about is making money. Scientology’s “charitably” fronts are nothing more than recruitment schemes to bring in “fresh meat”, Hubbard’s own words. Scientology has made their own enemies, and they deserves every bit of harsh criticism that they receive.
Stay as far away from Scientology as you can these people will hurt you bad!
Hartley Patterson
On October 5, 2009 at 9:55 am
Good article, thanks!
The Cult of Scientology is not so scary as it was, but only because a few good people stood up to it. Now it is in decline, with no more than 50,000 scientologists in the USA (halved in eight years). Senior staff are leaving in a steady stream and speaking out against its violent and paranoid leader David Miscavige. A major trial has just ended in France, another is due soon in Belgium.
Yes we should take note of Scientology, if only as an example of how easy it is for a small but determined group of fanatics to infiltrate and undermine. Evil doesn’t always have horns and carry a pitchfork.
Carrie a.k.a. Aauhein
On October 9, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Errr ah, what I said Watchman was Dianetics is a science and as per ‘Websters’ definition,it is. If L. Ron Hubbard was a certifiable scientist I do not posses that knowledge. Was he a scientific thinker, maybe or he very well could have been a charlatan as you assert. Seperating the science from man it’s easy to see that the fact is this stuff is very powerful and should not be left in the hands of those incompetent to deliver it with effective results. Also, it should never be revealed to malicious persons as the results WILL be almost certainly deadly. I can not discount the obvious truthness of the content through my own observations and experiments tho. The trails that Hartley refers to are over Scientologys’ religious status,not whether they are an EVIL bunch. France and Belgium prefer their own old fashion variety of religion. I first claimed to be a Scientologist when I realized that a medical decision could be made for me on the basis of my religion. I don’t personally worship as such,I just find it to be true for me and the one I identify most with. FYI,I’m not affraid of any man,woman,beast or scientologist. I place my freedom of speech over all other liberties. Been around Scientology since 1990,money spent on hubbard tech stuff….$0. There is such a thing as a fair exchange that is widely excepted in the circle. Acquiring services should never be to your detriment,that’s unexceptable. Word of advice;get help if you need it,take what you need from it and if it aint helping you it’s hurting you. Mnofdictomy>Sorry to tromp all over your comment section,I was mearly rebuttleing his refute. This little write up is hardly enough(flimsy),but that’s usually how it goes when your an outsider looking in. I admire that you don’t shy away from controversial subjects and I will keep on reading.-your friend
dawngordon
On October 17, 2009 at 8:59 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DFWih4Y7Ag&feature=related
dawngordon
On October 17, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I laughed and cried same time due to nerves when i saw that long time ago
dawngordon
On October 17, 2009 at 9:01 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfWGwXcUoao&feature=related
Compton
On March 25, 2010 at 4:05 pm
This is a good illustration of the amazing power of cults. Its interesting to see how people ignore potentially dangerous organizations, often until after its too late. I just finished reading a book, called When Mermaids Sing by Mark Zvonkovic. It was a real eye opener to me about how cults operate, as well as what goes on behind the scenes.