So....What the hell is scientology?

[Darzen]

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.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

 

[Lizmichi]

It sadly is a religion and a cult at the same time. it's the worship of the alien god Xenu. Its crazy shit really. Not worth your time.

 

[Gigaguy64]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology
This might help.

 

[kintaris]

Wikipedia it.

As to the phrase 'is it an actual Religion or just a cult', I'd argue, what's the difference? Ask any cultist if he considers himself religious, he will say yes.

http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/educational/watch/v155829886QJ8WKAk

This should give you a fair bit of info, plus the infamous scene of the BBC investigator going absolutely mental on camera.

You shouldn't really care about it, though.

 

[ZehGeek]

Meh, it's just one of those "religions" that's there. If they actualy beleive some alien god exists, props to em. As long as there not trying to shove it down my throat by killing people, I'm alright.

 

[Woodsey]

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".

 

[NeedAUserName]

Retarded

See, normally I have a problem with one word posts, but this really sums it up. I mean I know most religions are pretty unbelievable, but Scientology takes the biscuit biscuit tin biscuit factory.

 

[Abengoshis]

It might have started as a joke, but now its a "proper" religion.

 

[CK76]

A bad science fiction book some folks take pretty seriously.

 

[Woodsey]

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 - teh moneyz.

I wouldnt go as far as calling all Relgions cults but Scientology is actually pretty similar except most people find their fictional story rather ridiculous.

I checked on dictionary.com to find any minor details in the definition that would make it seem different, but other than one instance (in which it's described as an unorthodox/extreme religion) they all describe regular religion.

It'd be pretty funny to see someone religious criticise Scientology for it's fiction though.

 

[triggrhappy94]

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

...incedentally, I started a religion based around the teachings of Admiral Acbar to get out of having to do things on Saturdays, and to be able to legally set off fire works inside city limits year-round

 

[Eldarion]

What is the difference between an organised religion with rules as to how you must worship and a cult?

I wouldn't get anywhere near any church that claims they know the "truth" about "god". I personally think that mer humans cannot ever fully understand something as all reaching and all powerful as "god" and any church of humans claiming to offer the one true way into heaven is just as wrong as the next one.

In any case, yes its an actual religion. Wiki it for more info.

 

[Firoth]

I think the reason so many celebrities are in it is because:
1) They're off their rockers.
2) You have to pay your way into the church, and they have the money to do so.
3) It makes them feel like they're in a VIP club, because you have to spend money on it.
Possibly:
4) Having bought their way so far in, they're actually now getting a cut in exchange for celebrity promotion of their belief.

 

[Mikeyfell]

if you go by the definition it means the study of science
but it's a stupid religion, by which I mean a religion

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?

sorry in your post you said something that struck me as odd, there's a difference between a religion and a cult?

 

[sarge1942]

since scientology is not yet technically a religion, they use celebrities in order to spread the word, also because they are out to get cash. from what i've heard, you have to pay to enter the church, many people who live in the church are not allowed to leaveor see anyone outside of the church and they are put to work, to get higher up in the church you have to pay more money, their prophet is a science fiction writer, also try googling their fair game policy, essentially you go against them and you are essentially to be eliminated by whatever means possible.