Comments on: Scientology: Cult or Religion? http://www.bloggernews.net/113741 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:48:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: AnonmedicXD http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-256849 AnonmedicXD Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:15:57 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-256849 I don't argue that Scientology is a religon, in fact the fact that they beleive in a soul is proof enough for me, But the Church, who plays the welfare system like a game of chess, make outladish claims against people who speak out against them sometimes driving them to commit suicide, and force abortions, Are the ones we speak out agianst. Also the main differance between catholism, Islam and scientology? When bombers happen in the middle east the muslims here are sorry it happens. When the catholics had there scandels we apologized and tried to make it better. yet the scientologist blink and say "what crimes? we have done no crimes? You are the one who has done crimes!" I don’t argue that Scientology is a religon, in fact the fact that they beleive in a soul is proof enough for me, But the Church, who plays the welfare system like a game of chess, make outladish claims against people who speak out against them sometimes driving them to commit suicide, and force abortions, Are the ones we speak out agianst.
Also the main differance between catholism, Islam and scientology?
When bombers happen in the middle east the muslims here are sorry it happens. When the catholics had there scandels we apologized and tried to make it better. yet the scientologist blink and say “what crimes? we have done no crimes? You are the one who has done crimes!”

]]> By: Jeanne http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-229908 Jeanne Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:33:16 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-229908 Thank you for this article. Scientology is a religion. A study of the basic materials of Scientology makes that perfectly clear. As early as 1951, Hubbard realized and began writing of the fact that what we are dealing with in this subject transcends one lifetime and deals with the the soul, which is immortal. From that point onward it is very clear from Hubbard's writing and recorded lectures that Scientology is a religion. There are several lectures in a series of lectures called "The Phoenix Lectures" in which Hubbard lays out the religious background and nature of Scientology. Anyone wishing to understand the religious nature of Scientology can listen to those lectures at a Scientology church or mission. The web site http://www.bonafidescientology.org also contains papers by prominent religious scholars who are not Scientologists that explain why Scientology is a religion. Thank you for this article. Scientology is a religion. A study of the basic materials of Scientology makes that perfectly clear. As early as 1951, Hubbard realized and began writing of the fact that what we are dealing with in this subject transcends one lifetime and deals with the the soul, which is immortal. From that point onward it is very clear from Hubbard’s writing and recorded lectures that Scientology is a religion. There are several lectures in a series of lectures called “The Phoenix Lectures” in which Hubbard lays out the religious background and nature of Scientology. Anyone wishing to understand the religious nature of Scientology can listen to those lectures at a Scientology church or mission. The web site http://www.bonafidescientology.org also contains papers by prominent religious scholars who are not Scientologists that explain why Scientology is a religion.

]]> By: Elron http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-228798 Elron Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:12:29 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-228798 All the evidence is there that it is a cult, but that's just my opinion based on the documentation on them. The fact that they prevent their members from accepting any methods other than their own AND seek to destroy those who oppose them says a lot. Check out the Nightline interview of the Scientolgy lead David Miscavige http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWUasKX3FZE and judge for yourself if he's a cult leader. Also see "Operation Clambake" at http://www.xenu.net All the evidence is there that it is a cult, but that’s just my opinion based on the documentation on them. The fact that they prevent their members from accepting any methods other than their own AND seek to destroy those who oppose them says a lot. Check out the Nightline interview of the Scientolgy lead David Miscavige http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWUasKX3FZE and judge for yourself if he’s a cult leader.
Also see “Operation Clambake” at http://www.xenu.net

]]> By: Nonya http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-227154 Nonya Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:17:59 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-227154 Hi Terryeo!!! Thanks for recognizing that our protests were peaceful, and please be assured that we do not encourage illegal acts of any kind. I think deep down, all we really want is for the Church of Scientology to be thoroughly investigated to the satisfaction of the many people who are concerned about them. We want to know if they are really as harmless as they claim to be. We want to know if they truly do deserve the tax breaks that not even Catholics or Jewish get. That shouldn't hurt anybody. An organization with nothing to hide would more than welcome the chance to be investigated to clear up the "misunderstandings" we may have about them. Then everybody can coexist happily assured that there isn't something sinister amongst us. Another protest is in the works for March 15th. I hope you don't mind the masks, they had the function of protecting our anonymity (for reasons I'm sure you've already heard plenty about already) and the theme just provided a much needed sense of levity to such a heavy situation. Hi Terryeo!!! Thanks for recognizing that our protests were peaceful, and please be assured that we do not encourage illegal acts of any kind. I think deep down, all we really want is for the Church of Scientology to be thoroughly investigated to the satisfaction of the many people who are concerned about them. We want to know if they are really as harmless as they claim to be. We want to know if they truly do deserve the tax breaks that not even Catholics or Jewish get.
That shouldn’t hurt anybody. An organization with nothing to hide would more than welcome the chance to be investigated to clear up the “misunderstandings” we may have about them. Then everybody can coexist happily assured that there isn’t something sinister amongst us.
Another protest is in the works for March 15th. I hope you don’t mind the masks, they had the function of protecting our anonymity (for reasons I’m sure you’ve already heard plenty about already) and the theme just provided a much needed sense of levity to such a heavy situation.

]]> By: Terryeo http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-227018 Terryeo Wed, 13 Feb 2008 01:50:58 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-227018 To have an opinion is a good thing. To hold an opinion so dear that all other opinions must be destroyed, insane. Anonymous ran its peaceful protests well, but other members of anonymous are attempting destruction and have committed illegal acts. To have an opinion is a good thing. To hold an opinion so dear that all other opinions must be destroyed, insane. Anonymous ran its peaceful protests well, but other members of anonymous are attempting destruction and have committed illegal acts.

]]> By: mart http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-226935 mart Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:29:24 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-226935 Critical discussion of religious beliefs understandably makes many people uncomfortable. After all, those of us who live in a liberal democracy take religious freedom for granted, and often assume that a person's religious beliefs are his own business and no one else's. Religious plurality fosters a healthy open-mindedness toward beliefs of other kinds. The purpose of a true open mind, however, is to close it around truth. True open-mindedness does not involve only a willingness to listen to different opinions and tolerate them: it also involves a responsibility to evaluate them, accepting the good and rejecting the bad. Uncritically accepting any viewpoint is not the sign of disciplined thought but intellectual laziness, not an open mind but an intellectual breezeway. I am an advocate of freedom of conscience where religous belief is concerned. There are many Scientologists who believe the Church has helped them become happier, better, and more fulfilled people. But mere belief in something does not make it so. Millions have claimed to have been helped by astrology, crystal healing, Transcendental Meditation and apparitions of the Virgin Mary. It is not enough to accept a belief; the merit of a belief needs to be examined as well. Critical discussion of religious beliefs understandably makes many people uncomfortable. After all, those of us who live in a liberal democracy take religious freedom for granted, and often assume that a person’s religious beliefs are his own business and no one else’s. Religious plurality fosters a healthy open-mindedness toward beliefs of other kinds.

The purpose of a true open mind, however, is to close it around truth. True open-mindedness does not involve only a willingness to listen to different opinions and tolerate them: it also involves a responsibility to evaluate them, accepting the good and rejecting the bad. Uncritically accepting any viewpoint is not the sign of disciplined thought but intellectual laziness, not an open mind but an intellectual breezeway.

I am an advocate of freedom of conscience where religous belief is concerned. There are many Scientologists who believe the Church has helped them become happier, better, and more fulfilled people. But mere belief in something does not make it so. Millions have claimed to have been helped by astrology, crystal healing, Transcendental Meditation and apparitions of the Virgin Mary. It is not enough to accept a belief; the merit of a belief needs to be examined as well.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-226924 Anonymous Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:23:29 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-226924 The tax-exemption status is not the only quarrel we have against the church of scientology. The mistreatement of its followers ( www.whyaretheydead.com ), specifically Lisa McPherson as February Tenth would've been her 49th birthday. The way they intimidate, sue, defame, harass anyone who opposes their practices (Mark Bunker from www.xenutv.com , John Sweeney of the BBC who was at the time making a documentary about Scientology in Clearwater, Fl http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18661785/ , TIMES Magazine concerning their article in 1991 where they correctly denounced the church's Cult-like behavior, only having their suit dismissed in 1999, EIGHT years later http://www.apologeticsindex.org/dismissed.html ); it's also the reason we wear masks, fearing retribution. HWe are protesting their hoaxing of hundreds of thousands of dollars from its members, which are drawn in thinking that Scientology is a "life improvement center" ( http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v184/179/52/1075377883/n1075377883_30022310_1555.jpg this is a picture of the Halifax church; they even have a red-and-blue "Open" neon light, like many small businesses do), all while gathering information about the people they're testing in order to blackmail them later if necessary. They continuously deny their true beliefs (Xenu, thetans, etc) when confronted because this would be bad PR and would likely draw less members to it. It is also true that we are denouncing their suppression of free-speech, but not only the Tom Cruise videos; members are forced to cut links with friends and family if they do not convert, they are only allowed to see these people for a few days per year and must file a report to get permission, and they are absolutely not allowed to speak of what is happening in the church, the way they and others are mistreated, or the church's operatives. Google is your friend. There are testimonies from ex-scientologists, who escaped very dangerously. Knowledge is free. Do not underestimate the power of the masses. The tax-exemption status is not the only quarrel we have against the church of scientology. The mistreatement of its followers ( http://www.whyaretheydead.com ), specifically Lisa McPherson as February Tenth would’ve been her 49th birthday. The way they intimidate, sue, defame, harass anyone who opposes their practices (Mark Bunker from http://www.xenutv.com , John Sweeney of the BBC who was at the time making a documentary about Scientology in Clearwater, Fl http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18661785/ , TIMES Magazine concerning their article in 1991 where they correctly denounced the church’s Cult-like behavior, only having their suit dismissed in 1999, EIGHT years later http://www.apologeticsindex.org/dismissed.html ); it’s also the reason we wear masks, fearing retribution. HWe are protesting their hoaxing of hundreds of thousands of dollars from its members, which are drawn in thinking that Scientology is a “life improvement center” ( http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v184/179/52/1075377883/n1075377883_30022310_1555.jpg this is a picture of the Halifax church; they even have a red-and-blue “Open” neon light, like many small businesses do), all while gathering information about the people they’re testing in order to blackmail them later if necessary.
They continuously deny their true beliefs (Xenu, thetans, etc) when confronted because this would be bad PR and would likely draw less members to it. It is also true that we are denouncing their suppression of free-speech, but not only the Tom Cruise videos; members are forced to cut links with friends and family if they do not convert, they are only allowed to see these people for a few days per year and must file a report to get permission, and they are absolutely not allowed to speak of what is happening in the church, the way they and others are mistreated, or the church’s operatives.

Google is your friend. There are testimonies from ex-scientologists, who escaped very dangerously. Knowledge is free. Do not underestimate the power of the masses.

]]> By: samwise http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-226804 samwise Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:50:40 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/113741#comment-226804 Scientology is a cult. how many religions force members to pay for "auditing" classes to advance to the next level of consciousness and disconnect from their families if they disagree with their involvement with Scientology? Google "Fair Game" "Operation Snow White" and visit xenu.net to make an informed decision for yourself. Scientology is a cult. how many religions force members to pay for “auditing” classes to advance to the next level of consciousness and disconnect from their families if they disagree with their involvement with Scientology?

Google “Fair Game” “Operation Snow White” and visit xenu.net to make an informed decision for yourself.

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