So....What the hell is scientology?

[Carlston]

All religions just want money, how you think they fund the churches?

Logic says if the invisible man in the sky is all knowing, seeing and everywhere. You can pray at your bed side... if a religion heard that they'd freak knowing there was that many people NOT paying for their church and their mansion, and their two dozen cars...

I know, there are so many rich priests out there.

The catholic church makes a lot of money. They just don't let their priests see any. To be fair, a lot of it goes to various charities. Spreading good will and hope and all that. So at least you can respect them.

Scientology on the other hand, they just want your money.

That right there is the point that should be remembered.

I know, the person you quoted is off base. But the church does rake in the cash. However, like I said it goes to a lot of good causes. That and the fact that they gather money legitimately, by passing around the donation plate. Scientology requires payment to advance. Its crazy.

Reason I no longer am Roman Catholic is when my local church started calling me, telling me how much I made last year and how much I should donate to them or charity work I am "required" to do in good standing.

Bad enough I was in the military at the time...but that behavior is unacceptable.

 

[Eldarion]

All religions just want money, how you think they fund the churches?

Logic says if the invisible man in the sky is all knowing, seeing and everywhere. You can pray at your bed side... if a religion heard that they'd freak knowing there was that many people NOT paying for their church and their mansion, and their two dozen cars...

I know, there are so many rich priests out there.

The catholic church makes a lot of money. They just don't let their priests see any. To be fair, a lot of it goes to various charities. Spreading good will and hope and all that. So at least you can respect them.

Scientology on the other hand, they just want your money.

That right there is the point that should be remembered.

I know, the person you quoted is off base. But the church does rake in the cash. However, like I said it goes to a lot of good causes. That and the fact that they gather money legitimately, by passing around the donation plate. Scientology requires payment to advance. Its crazy.

Reason I no longer am Roman Catholic is when my local church started calling me, telling me how much I made last year and how much I should donate to them or charity work I am "required" to do in good standing.

Bad enough I was in the military at the time...but that behavior is unacceptable.

Wow man, that sounds bad. We went to methodist church back before my mother decided to stop trying with me, they never bothered us at all.

 

[VivaciousDeimos]

Its a money making scheme and method of tax fraud created by a bad American writer.

Also the Bible isan't fantasy its allegory. Only idiot Americans actually believe eveything in the bible is real rather than tales and fables in order to explain the basic concepts behind gods commandements for hummanity (guys be nice to one another and don't forget old dad), as well as try and explain the universe in a way a primitive soceity could understand. Even in the 6th century they weren't taking genesis seriously. c.f. St Augustine. Remember the bible is a historical record with a hell of alot of censorship and whats in it comes down more to the political demands of the time it was codified.

There are a lot of Americans who understand what I bolded. And a lot of people who claim that usually only do so to justify ignorance or bigotry. And it's basically what I was going to point out. A lot of religious people understand that the stories presented are just that, stories, and though I don't consider myself a Christian anymore, the times that I would go to church that's what a lot of the lessons were. Read a section of the bible, and then the priest talks about what you can learn from it, and how to apply it to modern day life. And that's just fine. Scientology, from what I understand, everyone pretty much takes the source material at face value, rather than taking some sort message or lesson from the text.

And as been pointed out before, though the Church may take in a lot of money (and I don't really count the evangelical types--I put them in the same category as tv psychics who do cold reads on people) they give a lot of it back. I don't think I've ever seen a Scientology Soup Kitchen, though.

Honestly sometimes the sheer amount of religious bigotry around here both amazes and saddens me.

 

[GrimTuesday]

One of my friends made this video for our Gov. class.

 

[miscelaneous]

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.

Are you talking about the unification church serious?

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

"You're not a religion, you're a pyramid scheme!" Cookie for reference, but I'm sure many know this one.

Anyway, it's a weird religion similar what the Catholic Church was before the Reformation - they outright require you pay them (called condelences) for you to advance in the religion.

It's beliefs is beyond me, since I've heard mixed reports on it.

 

[Ldude893]

Scientology is a cult founded by Science Fiction author L. Ron Hubbard that attempts to disguise itself as a religion. Their belief is that all human misery, including mental illnesses and post-traumatic stress disorder among other things, is caused by alien spirits inhabiting individuals called "thetans", and people can only remove these "thetans" by following Scientology and buying their overpriced "technology" and "products".
The "Church" of Scientology has been accused of consistently abusing its own members and anyone who dares to oppose them. Former victims include Lisa McPherson; a member of Scientology who died of a medical emergency caused the negligence of Scientology doctors, and Paulette Cooper, an author who wrote against Scientology and was targeted by the cult with accusations that she sent bomb threats to the "Church". Members who even think about leaving the cult are forcibly kept through physical force and threats, and in many cases they're imprisoned against their will in Scientology's own prison program called "Rehabilitation Project Force [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehabilitation_Project_Force]". People who openly criticizes Scientology are perceived as enemies of Scientology and are considered Fair Game [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Game_(Scientology)], and under the code of Scientology the cult is free to torment and abuse them whenever and however they want.
The cult recruits celebrities like Tom Cruise and John Travolta because they have bigger influences on others. The cult is a self running machine that acts like a virus and runs purely on manpower and money, recruiting in an endless cycle.

Fortunately, there are people out there who are brave enough to stand up against Scientology, but Scientology is getting much more dangerous and their activities can no longer be simply ignored.

 

[Kermi]

There is no fundamental difference between a religion and a cult - people just use the word cult to deride methods of faith they do not ascribe to.

Scientology is the belief that the souls of evil aliens (called thetans) were trapped inside a volcano on earth when their spaceship (which looks exactly like a passenger airliner) crashed millions of years ago. When people are born, they are born with these tainted thetans inside them.
To improve this alien soul inside you, you must undertake scientology improvement course (which mostly consists of giving money to the church) in order to become "clear". The more "clear" you are, the higher your level. To date, I believe Tom Cruise is the only person who has reached the same level of thetan clarity as the faith's founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

I would also like to point out that L. Ron Hubbard was a science fiction writer - a failing one - until he founded the faith of Scientology and turned his novels into religious scriptures, required reading for all members of the church.
It is also a matter of public record that Hubbard once made a bet with a friend regarding who could found the most successful phony religion.

 

[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

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

The "What the hell is scientoloASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL. THIS THREAD IS NOW ABOUT GAMES AS RELIGIONS" religion?

 

[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

The "What the hell is scientoloASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL. THIS THREAD IS NOW ABOUT GAMES AS RELIGIONS" religion?

just as valid as any other religion
and an excellent way to dodge taxes

 

[the Dept of Science]

Also Scientolog is probably the only religion that has an Author to the book they follow.

Just a quick POI, sikhism follows the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev.
Buddhism follows the teachings of Buddha.
Taoists follow the teachings of Laozi.

On the other hand, none of them were published science fiction authors (and from what I've heard, an attrociously bad one)

 

[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

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

The "What the hell is scientoloASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL. THIS THREAD IS NOW ABOUT GAMES AS RELIGIONS" religion?

just as valid as any other religion
and an excellent way to dodge taxes

I believe a trip to Politics and Religion is in order. What kind of controversial issues should be discussed?
Mario-ists vs Luigi-ists? (Sunni v Shia)
Garrus as just Garrus, the C-Sec Turian, as opposed to Garrus as ArchAngel? (Jesus as just another prophet v Jesus as Son of God)

..etc?

 

[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

The "What the hell is scientoloASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL. THIS THREAD IS NOW ABOUT GAMES AS RELIGIONS" religion?

just as valid as any other religion
and an excellent way to dodge taxes

I believe a trip to Politics and Religion is in order. What kind of controversial issues should be discussed?
Mario-ists vs Luigi-ists? (Sunni v Shia)
Garrus as just Garrus, the C-Sec Turian, as opposed to Garrus as ArchAngel? (Jesus as just another prophet v Jesus as Son of God)

..etc?

ahh, the real touchy issues
like how do you know the princess was even making cake when she got kidnapped by Bowser

was Garrus really Joker's favorite or was he being sarcastic

 

[Paksenarrion]

Spoiler: snip

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

The "What the hell is scientoloASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL. THIS THREAD IS NOW ABOUT GAMES AS RELIGIONS" religion?

just as valid as any other religion
and an excellent way to dodge taxes

I believe a trip to Politics and Religion is in order. What kind of controversial issues should be discussed?
Mario-ists vs Luigi-ists? (Sunni v Shia)
Garrus as just Garrus, the C-Sec Turian, as opposed to Garrus as ArchAngel? (Jesus as just another prophet v Jesus as Son of God)

..etc?

ahh, the real touchy issues
like how do you know the princess was even making cake when she got kidnapped by Bowser

was Garrus really Joker's favorite or was he being sarcastic

Wow. Those are touchy issues! We could even compare Princess Peach with Zelda, and how the latter seems to encourage crossdressing! Or Joker's real name!

 

[Gavmando]

Basically, Scientology is Buddhism for money.

You can get the same,(and better,)teaching from Buddhism and it wont cost you anything.
Another point to note is that in Buddhism and Hinduism before it, (we're talking 2500+ years,) there is a big thing about past lives. Yet neither of these concepts talk about an alien galactic war.
So you have to ask yourself, how could 2500 years of intense study be wrong compared to an idea that's only been around 50 years or so? An idea that was created by someone who makes up fantasy ideas for a living.

There are a few good things in Scientology. (Hence why I compare it to Buddhism.) But the bad and crazy far outweigh the good.
In my opinion, dont bother with it. It's cheaper to become a Buddhist. Plus, Buddhism has been around for longer and is far better researched.

 

[Mikeyfell]

Spoiler: snip

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

The "What the hell is scientoloASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL. THIS THREAD IS NOW ABOUT GAMES AS RELIGIONS" religion?

just as valid as any other religion
and an excellent way to dodge taxes

I believe a trip to Politics and Religion is in order. What kind of controversial issues should be discussed?
Mario-ists vs Luigi-ists? (Sunni v Shia)
Garrus as just Garrus, the C-Sec Turian, as opposed to Garrus as ArchAngel? (Jesus as just another prophet v Jesus as Son of God)

..etc?

ahh, the real touchy issues
like how do you know the princess was even making cake when she got kidnapped by Bowser

was Garrus really Joker's favorite or was he being sarcastic

Wow. Those are touchy issues! We could even compare Princess Peach with Zelda, and how the latter seems to encourage crossdressing! Or Joker's real name!

I wonder which one will get more followers?

 

[Paksenarrion]

Spoiler: snip

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

The "What the hell is scientoloASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL. THIS THREAD IS NOW ABOUT GAMES AS RELIGIONS" religion?

just as valid as any other religion
and an excellent way to dodge taxes

I believe a trip to Politics and Religion is in order. What kind of controversial issues should be discussed?
Mario-ists vs Luigi-ists? (Sunni v Shia)
Garrus as just Garrus, the C-Sec Turian, as opposed to Garrus as ArchAngel? (Jesus as just another prophet v Jesus as Son of God)

..etc?

ahh, the real touchy issues
like how do you know the princess was even making cake when she got kidnapped by Bowser

was Garrus really Joker's favorite or was he being sarcastic

Wow. Those are touchy issues! We could even compare Princess Peach with Zelda, and how the latter seems to encourage crossdressing! Or Joker's real name!

I wonder which one will get more followers?

I couldn't say, but my guess is, Princess Peach will be popular with the conservatives, and Princess Zelda, with the liberals.

 

[crudus]

Is scientology an actual Religion or is it just a cult?

Heres a handy list of 4 things you should look for when you ask "Is it a religion". <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89mile_Durkheim>Emile Durkheim coined these and they are as good as any.

1. The religion must explain the supernatural, the unknowable, or the incomprehensible
2. Divinity, or all spiritual beings such as the souls of the dead, genies, and deities; spiritual beings must be superior to men.
3. Dogma that must be followed
4. A church (Church in this case being applied only to a group of people whose common beliefs refer to a sphere of specialized things)

Why are there so many Celebrities involved in Scientology?

Their role in it is being played up by Scientology to get attention would be my guess. How many more celebs do you think are Hindu, Muslim, or Christian that we never hear about?

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?

ehhhh, too bad I am just going to link you to ,a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology>their wiki article.

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.

Scientology has those...sort of. The problem is they are open to interpretation and could easily lead to harm instead.

Also Scientolog is probably the only religion that has an Author to the book they follow.

Then where did all those other books come from?!

Even though most real religions make little to no sense most cults make even less sense.

Scientology is about as consistent with itself as any other religion I can find.

 

[Fiend Dragon]

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 probably worship the Enkindlers. Too bad we haven't seen much of Turian faith. Although that may be because they don't have any native religions. In the meantime I'll stick with my current casual mistrust and skepticism of current organized religions.

WAIT

SNIP because i quoted above

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"

Garrusism or preferably a slightly more tongue friendly name IS WHERE ITS AT.

'An lo, the lord did say, "Canst though delay for a moment? I am presently involved in a matter of mechanical adjustments."

Amen.