Adventure Game Studio

out of interest... any members here?

Or has anybody ever taken one of those "free personality tests"?

Aaah! This is one of the most ridiculous religions ever concieved IMO. It is so absurd that there's just no words for it.

There was a documentary on this (in the UK), by Louie Theroux, wasn't there?(or was that another documentary ;)) They stalked the reporters till he 'exploded' with rage.

EDIT: Ah, the actual reporter was BBC Reporter John Sweeney for Panorama, Louie Theroux made a documentary about the most hated family in America.

I think the people at Bonfrittens encountered some.. I cant remember the story but I have a feeling it didn't end well.

Three words: South Park  10thSeason
Theres an episode about Scientology but maybe its in 9th its cool!

I think it's absolutely ridiculous and a horrible cultish religion, but I'm still interested to know if there are any Scientology AGSers out there and to hear their opinion as I've never really spoken to a Scientologist... I've only heard what the media has to say, etc.

I'd also like to take out of those free personality tests to see what they actually entail, as I have no intention of joining Scientology but... I've gone to catholic/christian/jewish ceremonies before to see what they're like, with no intention of joining...

... Then again, from everything I've heard of scientologists I could walk in there a free person AND COME OUT OF THERE COMPLETELY BRAINWASHED ahrgHARghaRGHARGHaHRghARGHarHG  etc etc...

What? Why would they associate with SP's like us :D?

I gave the free stress test a try, having read up on the cult, saw the South park ep AND the BBC documentary. Harken to events, of which I shall now sing.

First, even before I sat down, they asked me if I was a goth, on the basis I was wearing my customary black shirt, jeans and blazier. So in the first ten seconds, they have proven themselves to be REMARKABLE judges of character.

Next, after mentioning that I took a course in psychology once and my roomate was studying it for their degree, they told me a terrible anecdote about how evil they are, and that they knew a guy who's psychiatrist was responsible for his doctor cutting his legs off. Despite the fact it was clearly done to make me dislike psychology, the story itself was ridiculous. Evidently the psychatrist didn't even ask why his patient didn't like his legs, a point they insisted on repeating about three times. And what kind of Doctor would amputate one's legs based on such an obviously deluded recommendation?  If this was an attempt to discredit their competition, it failed miserably.

Finally, after revealing many frank details about myself (I was a student, I played music, I liked anime and bonsai, I was a fledging Adventure Game Designer), they turned around at the end and said I was trying to cover up my 'true character', and pointed out my demeaner and apparent 'easy going charm and good humour'. Evidently these are all signs of a diseased and crippled existance which must be overcome with expensive counselling.

I smiled, very politly declined the purchase of two copies of Dianetics (one for me and one for my roomate), got up, walked out of the tent, and proceeded to collapse in quite public hoots of hilarity.

Heh, yes, Spleen got captured by Scientologists for a while during Bonfirittens. They had to rescue him. As far as I know, there are no Scientologists among the regular AGS members.

The personality tests are pretty boring, just yes/no questions, and you get a score at the end, like the silly quizzes in teen girl magazines. If you are convinced by the score that you have a problem, then you can go on to have more tests and help, including fun stuff like being read by Hubbard's e-meter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-meter).

The most weird thing they do at the moment is that anti psychology/psychiatry stuff. They have exhibitions about how evil they are... Probably appealing to dissatisfied mental patients looking for alternatives, which has to be their core support base. The main activities are all presented as typical self-help programmes, especially nowadays. Not all that entertaining on the surface. However this is one of my favourite images/captions, from the golden age, when wacky Ron was alive.

Heh, late last year there was a fair, just a regular one, and there was a scientology stall. My friends took the test, and one got told he would be gay later in life, but they can help cure him. I found that amusing, the idea that a simple minute long test could determine he was gay, and then the idea that he had to be cured. Provided entertainment though.

First watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnNSe5XYp6E

Then watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifEACinhrAY

There are thousands of cults/religions(whatever you wanna call it, same thing) and all of them work on the same principle. Scientology, christianity, the ministry of papa smurf are equally ridiculous and potentially dangerous. It's very easy to start your own religion, you just have to find gullible or desperate people. And we all know there's plenty of them.


And I just love how the pastor in the second vid says

QuoteI think any group whose leader says 'I am God and you have to listen to me and follow me, because I am God', that group is very dangerous for our society.

Own goal

Scientology Training:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SotPfdSJ7Qk


This guys got some interesting docs: 
http://www.youtube.com/user/XENUTV

Clearwater Police paid off-duty and brainwashed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW8eTe_Ank8

Scientologist "Bull-baiting"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itujmcsinpw

We lost spleen to these guys at bonfirritens. They were terrifying, and shouted at me.

I think iut's a load of crap, and after seeing the literature that they offer, compared to toher religiouys lit, I rhink i have good reason. The whole religion seems to be based entirely in fiction with made up science and reasoning.

http://xenu.net (http://xenu.net) - the lowdown on what they actually believe in (that humans are recycled shredded souls taken here by spaceship from a genocidal war in space somewhere several millions of years ago, no I'm not kidding)

Spaceboy... you should come to Mittens...

Also, I just recently found the Albany Scientology "church" a few months ago. Waiting for friends outside a Japanese restaurant and there it was, right next door... I know it's just a building but I just wished I could pick it up and crush it in my hands. Maybe if I was a Clear I could have that power!

But I'm more interested in being a Bright!

Are Scientologists really good at science?

Yes, very.

They're not as good as Christian Scientists though!

Quote from: MrColossal on Fri 08/06/2007 15:25:06
Spaceboy... you should come to Mittens...

I'd love to but not this year. Maybe next year, who knows.

You know I'm watching these training videos and I think Id make a damn good Scientologist!

The first ones are basically staring contests!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7xiY54d96M

Actually after Ron died, Scientology began to (and continues to) distance itself from the Xenu belief system.

I found their hijacking of The Holocaust to give credence to their vendetta against the psychiatric industry pretty disturbing.

Their E-meter system is quite funny though.

Quote from: space boy on Fri 08/06/2007 12:17:49
There are thousands of cults/religions(whatever you wanna call it, same thing) and all of them work on the same principle. Scientology, christianity, the ministry of papa smurf are equally ridiculous and potentially dangerous. It's very easy to start your own religion, you just have to find gullible or desperate people. And we all know there's plenty of them.

I don't think you can really put scientology and christianity in the same ballpark. Somehow, I can't see the pope sending out his minions to follow and harass anyone who criticises the church.

QuoteI think any group whose leader says 'I am God and you have to listen to me and follow me, because I am God', that group is very dangerous for our society.

I am God and you have to listen to me and follow me, because I am God.

QuoteI can't see the pope sending out his minions to follow and harass anyone who criticises the church.

In.. This day and age you mean? Because well.. history.

Yeah, you wouldn't have to go back very far until that was exactly the case in the Catholic church (even ignoring little things that happen today, like people protesting blasphemous movies and plays). We'll not even go into modern Islam...

Even so, it's worth noting the huge differences between Scientology and established religion. I think they're more interesting than the similarities, which are the usual basic religion things.

Scientology is amazing to watch because, well, there's not even 2000 years to make the source material look credible. It reminds you how gullible people are. The adoption of pseudoscientific presentation is pretty unique in a religion that size, too, I think... Also the way it's very nearly run like a corporation, employing PR people and buying advertising, and gets away with it, tax free (in many countries). If it wasn't for the "religion" facade, there would certainly be a lot of grounds for prosecution over their many frauds... it's amazing what you can get away with under the religion banner. The price we pay for religious freedom, I suppose.

Quote from: scotch on Fri 08/06/2007 20:51:24
If it wasn't for the "religion" facade, there would certainly be a lot of grounds for prosecution over their many frauds... it's amazing what you can get away with under the religion banner. The price we pay for religious freedom, I suppose.

That's exactly the problem I have. An organization just needs to call itself a religion and suddenly it gets special treatment. Let's say someone believes little invisible green people are responsible for things falling down and if you give these little people moon shaped cookies they will let go of you and you will be able to fly. You would say this person is an idiot. But if they call that a religion everyone is like "oh, I respect your beliefs and I won't say bad things about it so I don't hurt your feelings. Also would you like to pay no taxes?"

Quote from: space boy on Fri 08/06/2007 21:27:37
That's exactly the problem I have. An organization just needs to call itself a religion and suddenly it gets special treatment. Let's say someone believes little invisible green people are responsible for things falling down and if you give these little people moon shaped cookies they will let go of you and you will be able to fly. You would say this person is an idiot. But if they call that a religion everyone is like "oh, I respect your beliefs and I won't say bad things about it so I don't hurt your feelings. Also would you like to pay no taxes?"

It's not that easy though -- Scientology's application to be recognised as a religion was rejected in the UK (http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Library/registration/pdfs/cosfulldoc.pdf) at least, partly because a religion must be shown to be of benefit to the general public.

But there is certainly something rather odd about the fact that a belief can be either protected or ignored by the law, depending on whether it happens to fall under the banner of religion. You could well argue that either all beliefs should be protected against criticism or none should; but religion has become so deeply entrenched in human culture over the centuries that it's here to stay.

***************19+ warning!*************

If you want weird cult, there is is this tiny little cult (200+) of guys that worship the phallus
you heard me, the dick the shlong the one-eyed monster...the penis. they say while straight guys aren't disallowed, things usually considered homosexual are entailed in the ceremony's. I saw it on an episode of sextv on citytv ( on my tvtv ;D) what I think is rather hypocritical is south park has lampooned every religion in the world, but when they lampooned Scientology's they guy who did "chef" quit, what do you peoples think. I think if you gonna lampoon religion you shouldn't mind if they lampoon yours.

Quote from: Pumaman on Fri 08/06/2007 23:02:34
It's not that easy though -- Scientology's application to be recognised as a religion was rejected in the UK (http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Library/registration/pdfs/cosfulldoc.pdf) at least

It's kinda funny... the first thing I thought when I read this was "thank god". Stupid habits....

Going the other way, when I left Christianity I stopped saying "thank God" but started saying things like "for Christ's sake," "oh my God," and "God damn it!"

Quote from: lo_res_man on Fri 08/06/2007 23:11:32
If you want weird cult, there is is this tiny little cult (200+) of guys that worship the phallus
you heard me, the dick the shlong the one-eyed monster...the penis.

Don't look so shocked. Probably a majority of all the cults in history have worshiped phallus. Symbols, monuments, obelisks, drawings...you'll find phalluses everywhere.

This religion is ridiculous. Sounds like the guy had been drunk while watching many sci-fi movies in one night.

It seems like the time for threads about 'Church Of ____________(insert church type/name)' in ol' AGS land. :)

Quote from: Andail on Fri 08/06/2007 23:54:58
Don't look so shocked. Probably a majority of all the cults in history have worshiped phallus. Symbols, monuments, obelisks, drawings...you'll find phalluses everywhere.

Yes. Like in my pants! Plus I worship every day!

...

Sorry. :-[

If the intention of this thread was to get anyone in the community to come out and speak about their belief I think it has completely failed.  Even though I may disagree with Scientology very strongly I see no attempts by you, Meowster, to keep this thread serious or any intentions on your part except to ridicule anyone who might follow it. If I was a follower of Scientology this thread would be the last place I would try to have an open discussion about it.

Also, South Park might be fun for a laugh, but if you are taking that as your source of information then, well...Good luck to you.

Quote from: space boy on Fri 08/06/2007 21:27:37
That's exactly the problem I have. An organization just needs to call itself a religion and suddenly it gets special treatment.

Actually, yes. Scientology is considered a "religion" only in the USA. In most other countries it is called a "sect", which means it emphatically does not get legal benefits and/or tax cuts. In some countries such as Germany, said sect is forbidden by government.

Does anyone know the Dutch Satan Church? No, not Satanism, although they're sometimes confused for one another. It's basically a practical joke gone way too far... in the seventies, there was this man who owned a nightclub, and at some point he realized that religions had tax benefits. At that point he declared his nightclub a religion, with some added poohah, and this being the seventies, got away with it.

Quote from: Steel Drummer on Sat 09/06/2007 00:01:25
This religion is ridiculous. Sounds like the guy had been drunk while watching many sci-fi movies in one night.

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.

What you may fail to grasp, Sylpher, is that Scientologists themselves seem to be adverse to openly discussing their "faith" with anyone who isn't likely to agree with them.

That's the reason so many people have problems with it/them. They simply close ranks and accuse you of being "out to get them". Try it sometime. Walk into one of those Scientology centres and say "Y'know, I'm interested in Scientology, but I've heard that it's a cult."

If you find yourself stalked by black SUV's with tinted windscreens, don't say you weren't warned.

Quote from: Sylpher
If the intention of this thread was to get anyone in the community to come out and speak about their belief I think it has completely failed.  Even though I may disagree with Scientology very strongly I see no attempts by you, Meowster, to keep this thread serious or any intentions on your part except to ridicule anyone who might follow it. If I was a follower of Scientology this thread would be the last place I would try to have an open discussion about it.

Scientology just isn't credible enough to hold itself up as a religion. Satanism is, and so Satanism's thread had/has a far more serious discussion. 

Quote from: Radiant
Does anyone know the Dutch Satan Church? No, not Satanism, although they're sometimes confused for one another. It's basically a practical joke gone way too far... in the seventies, there was this man who owned a nightclub, and at some point he realized that religions had tax benefits. At that point he declared his nightclub a religion, with some added poohah, and this being the seventies, got away with it.

Never heard of it, but that sounds pretty funny. :D

I'm not failing to grasp anything. I have a fairly good understanding of Scientology and my own opinions about it, but if you are going to try to defend that this thread was really intending to get someone to openly discuss it then I would love to hear how. If you want to make a thread of satire then go for it, but don't pretend like you have any sort of noble intentions.

That's the point. There is no way to openly discuss it. It's not open. You don't get told anything until you sign up!

You find me one Scientologist, just one current Scientologist, who will discuss their faith beyond "It changed my life! Tom Cruise is our Jesus!" and I'll happily join in.

There is nothing to understand about Scientology, except what they deem fit for you to know. To question their faith, you must first become part of it.

You know no more than any of us; Dianetics, Xenu, etc. There is nothing more to know outside Scientology.

Scientology is basically a hybrid between a self-help philosophy and an exclusive club.

Self-help techniques with spiritual guidance and methods and expensive classes and books pop up on a regular basis, especially in the USA. It seems a brand new revolutionizing set of self-help ideas are being marketed every tenth year or so in the states. It sells like butter. People always talk about those ideas as if they've seen the light. Typically, they claim to:

* Open your senses, and make you more intuitive/spiritually balanced/sensitive/etc
* Optimize your capacities. These techniques can make you use all of your brain! Did you know that you only use 10% of your brain? Well, it's not true but it sounds good.
* It will make you more successful in business, and improve your chances to get rich. This is very important. If people aren't promised riches, all the spiritual harmony in the world won't sell any books.

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.

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.

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

Quote from: Radiant on Sat 09/06/2007 00:42:16
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.

Quote from: Sylpher on Sat 09/06/2007 01:20:54
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.

Quote from: SteveMcCrea on Sat 09/06/2007 01:31:17
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?

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!

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

Quote from: LimpingFish on Sat 09/06/2007 01:36:08

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!  ;D