Scientology Convicted of Fraud

[Caliostro]

I sometimes wonder who the trolls of the religious community are. Then I remember there are anti-theists to keep the delicate balance in tact.

Really though, I'm not religious anymore, but I'm wondering. What do you think it is that makes other religious people hate the church of Scientology. I've got two big reasons and I want to compare notes.

First because it's not THEIR religion, and second because it's more blatant about it. It also helps that it doesn't have some sort of secular or millennial history of rooting and brainwashing under it's belt to help it's cause...

It's like you have all these parasites growing in the same plot of land that's already too small for them... Then a new one comes along.

You're a very ignorant person, aren't you? =]
That's not something to be proud of. That makes you a bigoted ass.
Oh, the irony!

So your entire argument to me being "ignorant" and "bigoted" is "you just are!" ?

Good god, your logic has me pinned! I feel ashamed that I ever crossed wits with such a clever and eloquent being! I'll go talk to invisible beings/voices in my head now as a form of penance.

 

[bkdlsf89990]

You're a very ignorant person, aren't you? =]
That's not something to be proud of. That makes you a bigoted ass.
Oh, the irony!

So your entire argument to me being "ignorant" and "bigoted" is "you just are!" ?

Good god, your logic has me pinned! I feel ashamed that I ever crossed wits with such a clever and eloquent being! I'll go talk to invisible beings/voices in my head now as a form of penance.

Certainly not! I would never even bother attempting to reason with you or hold any kind of intelligent discussion because I'm at least smart enough to know that that'd be just a waste of my time.

Your comments here confirm this.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

My respect for France has just went up.

 

[FinalGamer]

Ahhh I wonder what happened to this cult. So good to see they're still having trouble trying to hoard money in tax loopholes in some countries.

I've had my share of encounters with them, in Edinburgh three times. How about my time in June's Operation Sea Arrrrgh?

 

[garfoldsomeoneelse]

Way to go, France, I was afraid you'd back down on that one.

 

[Caliostro]

Certainly not! I would never even bother attempting to reason with you or hold any kind of intelligent discussion because I'm at least smart enough to know that that'd be just a waste of my time.

Your comments here confirm this.

So... You spend time replying to me to justify not spending time replying to me with a logical argument?

Riiiiiiiight... [http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8928/1221836843728.jpg]

 

[Numb1lp]

Yeah, us crazy Americans think this BS is a religion.

 

[bkdlsf89990]

Certainly not! I would never even bother attempting to reason with you or hold any kind of intelligent discussion because I'm at least smart enough to know that that'd be just a waste of my time.

Your comments here confirm this.

So... You spend time replying to me to justify not spending time replying to me with a logical argument?

Riiiiiiiight... [http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8928/1221836843728.jpg]

No. I replied to you because I was bored.

The difference being I just put almost no effort into my post. =]

 

[jboking]

I sometimes wonder who the trolls of the religious community are. Then I remember there are anti-theists to keep the delicate balance in tact.

Really though, I'm not religious anymore, but I'm wondering. What do you think it is that makes other religious people hate the church of Scientology. I've got two big reasons and I want to compare notes.

First because it's not THEIR religion, and second because it's more blatant about it. It also helps that it doesn't have some sort of secular or millennial history of rooting and brainwashing under it's belt to help it's cause...

It's like you have all these parasites growing in the same plot of land that's already too small for them... Then a new one comes along.

Hum, I have two options that I find more plausible for those who are religious but do listen to reason(yes, oddly there are some of those people out there).

1 - When they kill/torture people, they do it one at a time. By doing it one at a time the perceived impact is greater. So, even though Christianity lead to the death of countless thousands of people the CoS killing just one individual has more of an impact. The CoS ends up giving a name to each of its victims, making them more human than the "countless thousands" Christianity has killed.

2 - Money. Quite simply, money makes a huge impact on anyone. Your typical church 'asks' for donations and will teach you everything they can about the religion with what that particular church has at it's disposal. The CoS demands a monetary trade-off for knowledge of the religion. No one likes it when someone charges for something you can get free elsewhere.

While your answers are good too, they seem far more rooted in the idea that all religious people are ignorant zealots. I have learned through practice that is not true, so I guess I'll just stick to what I have here.

You're a very ignorant person, aren't you? =]
That's not something to be proud of. That makes you a bigoted ass.
Oh, the irony!

So your entire argument to me being "ignorant" and "bigoted" is "you just are!" ?

Good god, your logic has me pinned! I feel ashamed that I ever crossed wits with such a clever and eloquent being! I'll go talk to invisible beings/voices in my head now as a form of penance.

Well, you definitely aren't an ignorant bigot...though you are approaching the "Ass" territory.

 

[Caliostro]

No. I replied to you because I was bored.

The difference being I just put almost no effort into my post. =]

I'm sure. [http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/7/73/Trollface.png]

 

[bkdlsf89990]

No. I replied to you because I was bored.

The difference being I just put almost no effort into my post. =]

I'm sure. [http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/7/73/Trollface.png]

This exemplifies why I know trying to have any kind of intelligent discussion with you would be a waste of my time. =]

 

[Caliostro]

Let me start by saying that for a good half of my life I was religious. So, the fact that I despise religions is based on factual evidence I've collected through the years and not "just because".

That said:

Hum, I have two options that I find more plausible for those who are religious but do listen to reason(yes, oddly there are some of those people out there).

1 - When they kill/torture people, they do it one at a time. By doing it one at a time the perceived impact is greater. So, even though Christianity lead to the death of countless thousands of people the CoS killing just one individual has more of an impact. The CoS ends up giving a name to each of its victims, making them more human than the "countless thousands" Christianity has killed.

Yeah, the depersonalization of masses is a factor. As is the fact Scientology is more active in that area nowadays (or more overt at least).

2 - Money. Quite simply, money makes a huge impact on anyone. Your typical church 'asks' for donations and will teach you everything they can about the religion with what that particular church has at it's disposal. The CoS demands a monetary trade-off for knowledge of the religion. No one likes it when someone charges for something you can get free elsewhere.

Back to the overt/covert thing. Most other churches nowadays don't say "you HAVE to give us money!". They go down the "You totally don't have to... Like, you don't HAVE to do any of the things we tell you to at all! ... Off course you'll go to hell and burn for eternity, but it's your call, you know!". Sadly the average person seems far to stupid to see through it, so it works... To my mind it's the equivalent of a "polite" gun-point rape. "Now, I'm going to fuck you. You don't HAVE to let me... But I'll shoot you if you don't... But like, it's your call. Totally!".

While your answers are good too, they seem far more rooted in the idea that all religious people are ignorant zealots.

Nono, not ignorant zealots. Just ignorant. And/or Hypocrites. Some are zealots, but that comes with any "fanbase" of any kind really.

And I too have learnt from experience and study that that IS in fact true.

Well, you definitely aren't an ignorant bigot...though you are approaching the "Ass" territory.

That I am. I am direct and I don't mince words, which will often lead me to be perceived as an ass. C'est la vie, n'est pas?

 

[bkdlsf89990]

Back to the overt/covert thing. Most other churches nowadays don't say "you HAVE to give us money!". They go down the "You totally don't have to... Like, you don't HAVE to do any of the things we tell you to at all! ... Off course you'll go to hell and burn for eternity, but it's your call, you know!". Sadly the average person seems far to stupid to see through it, so it works... To my mind it's the equivalent of a "polite" gun-point rape. "Now, I'm going to fuck you. You don't HAVE to let me... But I'll shoot you if you don't... But like, it's your call. Totally!".

I was not aware that Christianity teaches that you go to hell if you don't give them money.

That I am. I am direct and I don't mince words, which will often lead me to be perceived as an ass. C'est la vie, n'est pas?

"Direct and forceful" and "ass" are not mutually exclusive, you know. =]

"Direct" is stating boldly what you believe.

"Ass" is posting 4-chan links from Encyclopedia Dramatica and withering, condescending sarcasm.

Although I'm sure you certainly feel superior and special with the notion that the majority of people are "stupid", "ignorant" and "zealots".

 

[Pifflestick]

The French have really out-done themselves here. Good show!

 

[bushwhacker2k]

I've never understood religion in general, even less so Scientology...

 

[GreyWolf257]

Finally. Why is this JUST NOW happening?