Who Here Thinks Scientology is A Stupid Excuse For A Religion?

Question

I STILL can't believe the U.S. actually made this an official religion!

(No preaching please)

Let me remind all of you that there is a CELEBRITY center of Scientology in Hollywood. Makes sense, since they are the only ones who can afford to pay thousands (or millions) for E-Meter tests.

In Scientology doctrine, Xenu (also Xemu) is an alien ruler of the "Galactic Confederacy" who, 75 million years ago, brought billions of people to Earth in DC-8-like spacecraft, stacked them around volcanoes and blew them up with hydrogen bombs. Their souls then clustered together and stuck to the bodies of the living, and continue to wreak chaos and havoc today.

Actually, if you want to preach, go ahead.

Answer 1

Scientology is a funny religion...its founder even thinks so. This is what L. Ron hubbard said about starting his religion...

"MAKE MONEY. MAKE MORE MONEY. MAKE OTHER PEOPLE PRODUCE SO AS TO MAKE MORE MONEY."

- L. Ron Hubbard, Hubbard Communications Office Policy Letter, 9 March 1972, MS OEC 384

"I’m drinking lots of rum and popping pinks and greys."

- L. Ron Hubbard in a 1967 letter to his wife, written during the period when he was creating Scientology’s secret "upper levels."

"THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN CONTROL PEOPLE IS TO LIE TO THEM. You can write that down in your book in great big letters. The only way you can control anybody is to lie to them."

- L. Ron Hubbard, "Off the Time Track," lecture of June 1952, excerpted in JOURNAL OF SCIENTOLOGY issue 18-G, reprinted in TECHNICAL VOLUMES OF DIANETICS & SCIENTOLOGY, vol. 1, p. 418

"I’d like to start a religion. That’s where the money is."

- L. Ron Hubbard to Lloyd Eshbach, in 1949

And last thing he says that makes the fact the US has turned scientology into a religion is...

"Scientology...is not a religion."

- L. Ron Hubbard, CREATION OF HUMAN ABILITY, 1954, p. 251

Funny Stuff huh?

Answer 2

Scientology is considered a religion in some countries, a profitable organisation in others, and in some it is considered a cult whose practises have been banned. For example, the US gives Scientology tax exempt status, whereas Germany and Belgium have called it a “totalitarian cult” and a “commercial enterprise”. France in 1995 classified it as a dangerous cult. The UK refused charitable status in 1999. Russia has a pending court trial over their refusal to register scientology as a religion.

I personally believe scientology to be a dangerous cult that lies to and tricks adherents into believing they are improving themselves and the world around them, while they are for the most part doing the exact opposite. It is made up of good people with good intentions that have been unfortunately deceived just because they do want to help others and themselves live better lives. It appeals to a person’s good intentions, and therein lies the trap.

It seems to have been set up to make money, and indeed they have been very successful at it – although the money is all at the top and not with the actual people delivering the services.

The church often claims it is unjustly persecuted, and to show such files normally countless of libels every year and other such court cases to silence criticism; no other religion hounds and harasses its critics. I believe that scientology is different from other religions, the main one being that potential members are lied to when they start. See below, under ‘Why it is often described as a cult’ for all the reasons.

Why are they often described as a cult?

They lie to members to gain and keep them.
Try to find the story of Xenu at the scientology site for example.

They say it has been thoroughly researched using the scientific method when it hasn’t.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/techniques/
http://www.clambake.org/archive/lrhbare/

They hound and harass critics:
http://www.suppressiveperson.org/

They use mind control techniques: http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/documents/scientology/pignotti

They limit outside information via censoring, condemning it the work of criminals, via disconnection with family.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/events/censorship/
http://www.xenu.net/archive/infopack/15.htm

More on similar stuff here:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/co_pls.html


For some in-depth research I recommend reading some books written by ex-members.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books

"Scientology is both immoral and socially obnoxious...It is corrupt sinister and dangerous. It is corrupt because it is based on lies and deceit and has its real objective money and power for Mr. Hubbard... It is sinister because it indulges in infamous practices both to its adherents who do not toe the line unquestionably and to those who criticize it or oppose it. It is dangerous because it is out to capture people and to indoctrinate and brainwash them so they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living, and relationships with others."
Justice Latey, ruling in the High Court of London:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/judge_quotes.html

Here you can see scientologists in action:
http://www.xenutv.com

Answer 3

Just cause Tom Cruise is a stupid excuse for an actor doesn't mean Scientology is a stupid excuse for a religion

Answer 4

Every idea is a stupid excuse for a religion. What makes any of the other religions any different? Just because they have been around for a long time and are established?

Answer 5

nicely i don't understand an outstanding deal approximately this faith, yet i'm going to tell you-Tom Cruise does no longer something to help it out. My unfavourable opinion of Scientology comes from his naive, strongly opinionated thoughts on psychiatric drugs, among different issues.

Answer 6

The lobbying from the Scientologists and the general intimidation they exert has resulted in its religious status.

I have a hard time taking any religion seriously founded by a man who wrote terrible science fiction books.

Answer 7

I think it's kinda dumb, but I don't know much about it. At the same time one of the benefits of living in America is Freedom of Religion, therefore they have the right to practice what ever they want no matter what anyone else thinks about it.

Answer 8

Agreed. I hate to insult other cultures and religions, but the evidence adds up against Mr. Hubard. Come on, he started with a scam book, and when it sold well he expanded it into a cult...

Answer 9

scientology is a stupid excuse for a CULT, let alone a religion. its just that the founder of scientology wanted to feel special, so he made himself god and found himself a lot of good lawyers to sue the government for church status.

Answer 10

All religions are stupid excuses for people who can't accept mortality

Scientology isn't any crazier than the rest of them