So....What the hell is scientology?

[Mikeyfell]

A bad science fiction book some folks take pretty seriously.

you mean the Bible?
oh, you mean that thing by L.Ron Hubbard

but you can see where I got confused right?

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Dianetics [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianetics] under a different name.

Basically a self-help book turned into a crackpot cult.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

Aren't all religions cults?

And yes, it's a religion. It's really not that much more crazy in my mind to that of most other religions, except they're more open (read: shoddy at hiding) their true intentions - it's for "teh moneyz".

I'd say that all cults are religions, rather.

I think everyone else has already given enough information to help.

 

[subject_87]

I predict this will devolve into a flaming thread in record time...

 

[Vrach]

A bad science fiction book some folks take pretty seriously.

And the Bible is the proof people prefer fantasy to science fiction xD

 

[Paksenarrion]

Quick! Let's choose two games (one fantasy, one science fiction) and make religions out of them! Then adherents battle it out in future threads!

I vote Zelda: Ocarina of Time for fantasy, and Mass Effect for science fiction.

EDIT: Bioshock is fine, too.

 

[CK76]

A bad science fiction book some folks take pretty seriously.

you mean the Bible?
oh, you mean that thing by L.Ron Hubbard

but you can see where I got confused right?

"Of course you know Scientology is a made up religion."
"As opposed to what?"

-Jimmy Carr

 

[Mikeyfell]

A bad science fiction book some folks take pretty seriously.

you mean the Bible?
oh, you mean that thing by L.Ron Hubbard

but you can see where I got confused right?

"Of course you know Scientology is a made up religion."
"As opposed to what?"

-Jimmy Carr

"I used to think I had an imaginary friend who went everywhere with me,
and could grant me wishes and stuff."
"Then I got older, and stopped going to church."

-Jimmy Carr

 

[Mikeyfell]

Quick! Let's choose two games (one fantasy, one science fiction) and make religions out of them! Then adherents battle it out in future threads!

I vote Zelda: Ocarina of Time for fantasy, and Mass Effect for science fiction.

EDIT: Bioshock is fine, too.

I would so totally be a member of Garrus-ism

and I think Mario-ism would be better, you could end every sermon with "The princess is in another castle"

 

[Mikeyfell]

I predict this will devolve into a flaming thread in record time...

you were about 24 comments to late to post that nugget of wisdom

 

[Paksenarrion]

Quick! Let's choose two games (one fantasy, one science fiction) and make religions out of them! Then adherents battle it out in future threads!

I vote Zelda: Ocarina of Time for fantasy, and Mass Effect for science fiction.

EDIT: Bioshock is fine, too.

I would so totally be a member of Garrus-ism

and I think Mario-ism would be better, you could end every sermon with "The princess is in another castle"

Luigi-ists would like to have a word with you... XD

 

[Gralian]

Aren't all religions cults?

Aren't all religions about believing in an authority figure deity that hasn't actually been seen by man and putting faith into a book or scripture written long ago during a (scientifically) ignorant time?

Really, i don't know why people go $CIENTOLOGY IS A STUPID EVIL CULT, THEY BELIEVE IN NONSENSE!!11 then start saying how much more sense Christianity or Islam (or any other major religion) makes when it's just as foundless as Scientology on a scientific level.

I dont get how anyone could believe it. Its like believing in a religion based on Star Wars...

I believe "Jedi" is officially a recognised religion. In the UK it is, anyway. Don't know about the USA.

People should be free to believe what they want without coming under the scrutiny of atheists or fellow theists alike. I think all religion is daft but i don't think Christians and the like should flame Scientologists simply for their beliefs, it's hypocritical.

 

[Mikeyfell]

Quick! Let's choose two games (one fantasy, one science fiction) and make religions out of them! Then adherents battle it out in future threads!

I vote Zelda: Ocarina of Time for fantasy, and Mass Effect for science fiction.

EDIT: Bioshock is fine, too.

I would so totally be a member of Garrus-ism

and I think Mario-ism would be better, you could end every sermon with "The princess is in another castle"

Luigi-ists would like to have a word with you... XD

Sorry us devout Garrus-ists don't recognize platforming as a valid basis for a religion, LOL

this thread got really good, we should start a religion based on it

 

[Grey_Area]

Quick! Let's choose two games (one fantasy, one science fiction) and make religions out of them! Then adherents battle it out in future threads!

I vote Zelda: Ocarina of Time for fantasy, and Mass Effect for science fiction.

EDIT: Bioshock is fine, too.

I would so totally be a member of Garrus-ism

and I think Mario-ism would be better, you could end every sermon with "The princess is in another castle"

Luigi-ists would like to have a word with you... XD

I'd be more inclined to follow the Word of Garrett: "All that glitters is gold. Or jewels. Or at least valuable ornaments. And what glitters that is yours is mine. Go bug the Hammerites or something."

Of course, the Church of City Guard Benny has more drinking involved.

 

[Naheal]

Is scientology an actual Religion or is it just a cult? Why are there so many Celebrities involved in Scientology? i'd rather not google it because i have horrible luck on google so i thought i'd ask you guys and girls in the escapist forums,What the hell is scientology and why should anyone care about it?

Edit:i actually think of a religion that actually helps you better yourself somewhat. Most religions have a sort of"code of Conduct" that,if you follow it,will make you a better person in the end. By what i've heard/read so far Scientology just wants your money and there's nothing good you can take from it.Also Scientolog is probably the only religion that has an Author to the book they follow.
Even though most real religions make little to no sense most cults make even less sense.

cult   
?noun
1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology . a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
7. the members of such a religion or sect.
8. any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.
?adjective
9. of or pertaining to a cult.
10. of, for, or attracting a small group of devotees: a cult movie.

Organized religion in any form is little more than a cult. It doesn't stop being a cult because it's more widespread.

 

[Yureina]

I was walking around in Washington DC about a year and a half ago, and I happened to come across a Church of Scientology.

I kept walking.

 

[JoshTheater]

Scinetology being a cult has NOTHING to do with what they believe in. All people have the right to believe whatever they want, no matter how silly or crazy.

No, what makes Scientology a dangerous cult is the fact that it is responsible for human trafficking (aka forced labor) in the US, coerced abortions, harrassing/threatening/physically assaulting their critics, the deaths of several of their members due to neglect or murder, and much more. They function more as a business than a church and their most dedicated members (not public members) live in compounds in which they are almost prisoners, forced to completely cut contact with any disapproving family members and often threatened if they attempt to leave.

I have friends in real life who have had to literally escape from this church. If you have to escape from a church, it is a cult.

 

[jpoon]

Basically it seems to be a cult of somewhat radical individuals, or at least the ones who "protect" the cults structure are. They are all fucking mental, and I wouldn't relate to a single one of them I would imagine...