Church of Scientology

[Meowster]

out of interest... any members here?

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

[vict0r]

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

[Jon]

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.

[Mr Jake]

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

[ALPHATT]

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

[Meowster]

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...

[ildu]

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

[DeviantGent]

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.

[scotch]

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.

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.

[[Cameron]]

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.

[space boy]

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

I 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

[evenwolf]

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

[Sam.]

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.

[Radiant]

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)

[MrColossal]

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!

[Harvester]

Are Scientologists really good at science?

[vict0r]

Yes, very.

[MrColossal]

They're not as good as Christian Scientists though!

[space boy]

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

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

[evenwolf]

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