Church of Scientology

[Sylpher]

Never claimed to know more about it than you or anyone else here.

And unless you are trying to suggest Meowster was trying to be clever, and I don't think you are, I do not see your point. If they are willing to discuss it or not is not important. You don't ask someone to come out and discuss just so you can ridicule them. Meowster has shown no evidence that she had any intention to do anything but that. Doesn't matter if this thread was about Scientology or any other topic involving belief or opinion. I disagree strongly with pointing people out just to say "YOU BELIEVE THAT? HAHAHA!"

Edit: Perhaps not completely put them on display and ridicule, but if this is an honest attempt, then as I said in my first post, it has failed.

[LimpingFish]

I wasn't surpised to learn that their E-meter is simply a very rudimentary lie-detector, and that taking their "stress" test is a combination of that and simple body language reading.

Since Xenu has, apparently, been discarded, I'm curious to know what religious aspects are contained in their faith. Just what is it they believe in?

And their distancing from Ron's "Fair Game" reasoning (Basically, anybody who speaks out against Scientology is the "enemy", and therefore open to retaliatory action) seems half-hearted, and purely for the benefit of public relations.

Sylpher: I partly agree with you. Partly, in that ridiculing a single person over their belief system serves no other purpose than to humiliate and/or offend the target. But Religion, as a concept, is open to any form of discussion, deflamatory or otherwise.

[Sylpher]

I absolutely agree. And if this thread started with that intention I would not be here. However, it did not.

[Kweepa]

Oh and yeah, before starting his church, L. Ron Hubbard was a third-rank science fiction writer. His work consists of ten (?) thick books called Battlefield Earth, which never sold particularly well. A hollywood-based scientologist made a movie about it which got abysmal ratings.

I wouldn't call L. Ron Hubbard third rank. Battlefield Earth (a single volume that was made into the film) and Mission Earth (the 10 volume work) are very entertaining books.  I agree the movie wasn't particularly good.

[LimpingFish]

I absolutely agree. And if this thread started with that intention I would not be here. However, it did not.

Maybe so, as the chances of any passing Scientologists choosing to answer Meowster's question were slim.

I would dearly like to talk to a Scientologist, beyond the recruiting blurb, simply because so much mystery surrounds their faith. But when they act so insular and secretive, and their attitude towards "outsiders" is so aggressive, the chances of that happening are, again, slim.

So, looking at this thread from that point of view, then yes; Meowster should have known that a balanced conversation, if that was her intention, was not attainable.

I agree the movie wasn't particularly good.

But did you feel a strange urge to visit a Scientology recruitment centre after watching it?

Or an urge to punch John Travolta in his face?

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Personally, I just wanted to leave the room!  Battlefield Earth was terrible.  The problem with Scientology is that anyone with logical reasoning centers in the brain can see it ballooned as a money-making racket conjured up by an author whose initial point was most likely to prove the gullibility of the masses.  They look at Hubbard as some sort of savior but the guy most likely wrote Dianetics and laid the foundation for Scientology simply to prove stupid people would flock to it.  Success!

[Jesus Juice]

Interesting thread. As a Scientologist I think I'll just keep my mouth shut on this one   :

[DeviantGent]

But did you feel a strange urge to visit a Scientology recruitment centre after watching it?

Or an urge to punch John Travolta in his face?

Those are natural. Run with them!