Scientology is it evil? It's a religion...?

Question

His son, L. Ron Hubbard, Jr. claimed in 1983 "99% of what my father ever wrote or said about himself is totally untrue."

L. Ron, Jr. said "according to him and my mother" he was the result of a failed abortion and recalls at six years old seeing his father performing an abortion on his mother with a coat hanger. In the same interview, he said "Scientology is a power-and-money-and-intelligence-gathering game" and described his father as "only interested in money, sex, booze, and drugs".

http://www.answers.com/L.%20Ron%20Hubbard

Answer 1

I wouldn't call it evil because it works for some people. It shows them a way to live a better life. Allow people to believe and live as they choose just as you would like to be treated with that same respect.Spread love and light up the world.
Love & Light
Sharon
One Planet = One People

Answer 2

Harlan Ellison a number of years ago, shared an anecdote regarding a wager that Isaac Asimov and L. Ron Hubbard had:

Hubbard said to Asimov, in one of their many conversations, that "religions" are created -- they are the resultant manifestations of many human's need for transcendence. Asimov, who was a devout Atheist challenged Hubbard to prove his theory and create a religion...a religion that has never occurred before in human history. Hubbard subsequently did and the new religion became known as Scientology. (Based upon Hubbard's personal experiences and philosophy).

Although Hubbard never admitted that what he created was a "true" religion (Scientology has no deity), he felt it sufficiently close to win the wager with Asimov. Asimov, after seeing this new "religion" grow so quickly in such a phenomenally short amount of time, agreed. Asimov allegedly commented the only thing missing was the deity; however, dogma, as it was presented in this new church, was sufficient and agreed that indeed it passes as a religion.

Scientology, a man-made device to promote spiritual transcendence, is alive and thriving in a world filled with people who are attempting to bring reason out of chaos. If nothing else, it provides the means for one to accept and control his or her personal reality. The methods of achieving this "reality" are questionable, true, but one cannot deny that Scientology has provided the answers to the questions many have asked that could not -- or have not -- been answered through other means.

Being a Buddhist, it appears to me to be quite pragmatic. As with Buddhism, Scientology challenges the individual to question all things it teaches before embracing its philosophy, and to recognize and understand the "now" moment for what it is or represents, and move to change the "now" if it is not acceptable.

Answer 3

Scientology is as much a religion as EST was in the 70's in that it attracts many troubled people and convinces them that by recruiting others to the organization that they will be enlightened. It is an emotional and mental health pyramid scheme. Tom Cruise seems to be trying to reach the top of the pyramid with wax wings and we all know what happened to Icarus.

Answer 4

I dont think that he is the best example. It may not be scientology that is crazy...it may have just been HIM. I'm not a scientologist, never thought about it, dont think I will pursue it...they are a little off in their way of thinking. But they dont think they are. lol I guess they are what they are. Until you research it for yourself you will never find an unbiased answer from other people. I think that a lot of people are just spreading rummors that they hear or making opinions based on the "crazies". Lets face it...Christians can be crazy, catholics can be crazy, muslims can be crazy, toaists can be crazy, mormans can be crazy...I mean, pick ur poison.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, it proves the P.T. Barnum adage. You can find people who will believe anything, for their own purposes, having nothing to do with truth. The placebo effect is alive and well in scientology.

They did win a reprieve in the IRS effort to end their religious exemption status, however.

Answer 6

Hmmm where do I begin...

You are definitely on the right track with that website. The neutral viewpoint from wikipedia contained within details his life sufficiently.

Or you can read a whole book on it here:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/bfm/bfmconte.htm

It's own leader lied about his own life? What else did he lie about?

I personally believe the CofScientology is a Cult that is damaging to people, mentally, possibly physically and drains a persons money, time and effort from them for it's own purpose of making more money.

Amongst many things they have been prosecuted by courts, and investigated by governments.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/audit/

Do your own research.

The main critical site of Scientology
http://www.xenu.net

Or thier own website
http://www.scientology.org

Well as I have just been called a Nazi who hates religious freedom by this scientologist you can take this response as you will: --> Join Foxtel's quest to have me banned here:
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkWmkiFpUGSB4AtKfghLutwgBgx.?qid=20060625061002AAKDm4y
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Al6vXIkbu4790qj7E8flh4sgBgx.?qid=20060625063012AATeRkr

You can comment on this in my open question.
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApKPPQCCNDpt5aZhXgKmijAgBgx.?qid=20060625141629AApOshT

Answer 7

You should definiely view the movie "what the bleep do we know?" It is the study of quantam mechanics and how it can be put into play to change your surrounding world.

Answer 8

Yes its evil and its a reglion TOM Cruise spends all his momey to promote,

Answer 9

yep
name a religion that isnt out to get my money

Answer 10

No it's a pyramid scheme.