What is your opinion on Scientology?

Answer 1

Mainly bad I'm afraid, my overall opinion is that the Church of Scientology is a destructive cult...

Yes opinions are just that, but included in this answer is evidence that has come to light from numerous court trials, government investigations and by the efforts of ex-members. Notice how Theta assumes her answer is factual as opposed to anyone else's opinion...(theta can you link to some evidence from independant sources to make your answer 'factual', I can...)

I personally believe the Church of Scientology to be a destructive 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.

“Scientology is a system of beliefs and practices created by American pulp fiction[1][2] and science fiction [3] author L. Ron Hubbard in 1952 as a self-help philosophy.”
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/scientology

See here for a critic’s view:
http://www.clambake.org/roland-intro.html

See here for scientology’s own view:
http://www.scientology.org/en_US/religion/index.html

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.

"Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion" L Ron Hubbard
http://www.skeptictank.org/readdig.htm

Scientology believes it has the only workable technology to help mankind of its problems, using theories and ‘tech’ from Hubbard to do so.

“Scientology indoctrination usually begins with the Communication Course Training Routines or "TRs". These are supposed to enhance the ability to communicate, but have been called by one expert "the most overt form of hypnosis used by any destructive cult".

Read here for the techniques used by scientology: http://www.clambake.org/archive/techniques/

Hubbard has not discovered anything about the true nature of man, nor was he educated or qualified to do so. He was undoubtedly a clever man but also with many psychotic tendencies, that never cleared his own problems let alone anyone else’s. He died on the psychiatric drugs he had campaigned so hard against. He had a reoccurring stomach ulcer, and continued to claim military disability allowance. By personal accounts he had a wild temper, mild OCD, & respiratory problems, despite the fact that his new discoveries were meant to fix all man’s problems including physical ailments. Tom Cruise is quoted as saying it will cure tuberculosis for example.

Scientology originated out of Hubbard’s book Dianetics. Dianetics is a rewrite of Freudian memory regression into a complex and ill-worded theory, along with occult magick from Aleister Crawley with Hubbard’s experience as a sci-fi writer thrown in. Scientology has never submitted it methods to the scientific community, nor is it endorsed by any such body. Hubbard was not a scientist and seemingly knew nothing of the scientific method, nor has any of his ‘extensive research’ ever come to light. What has come to light is the social & mind control techniques that take place in scientology, and how people are duped into following this money & alien orientated cult.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/apobs/
http://www.clambake.org/archive/lrhbare/

This only formal study of dianetics done near the time it appeared showed dianetics did not achieve any of its stated aims or benefits.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/fischer/

Here is an archive of official studies critical of scientology
http://www.clambake.org/archive/audit/

Here are court trials and investigations:
http://www.scientology-lies.com/investigation.html
http://www.clambake.org/archive/CourtFiles/

"[The court record is] replete with evidence [that Scientology] is nothing in reality but a vast enterprise to extract the maximum amount of money from its adepts by pseudo scientific theories... and to exercise a kind of blackmail against persons who do not wish to continue with their sect.... The organization clearly is schizophrenic and paranoid, and this bizarre combination seems to be a reflection of its founder, L.Ron Hubbard." "
Judge Breckenridge, Los Angeles Superior Court

See more on what judges have to say about scientology:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/judge_quotes.html

You cannot progress in scientology without a belief in re-incarnation, and then little alien souls that inhabit your body, so it is not compatible with other people’s faith, it just says it is. OT's are also meant to have a variety of seemingly supernatural abilities.
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/xenu
http://www.clambake.org/archive/ot/

Most people have now heard of Xenu, the Intergalactic Space Lord who trapped alien souls on earth who now inhabit our bodies and cause problems… Well “This is what Scientologists actually believe” and South Park is accurate as these court documents will show:

Here is an extract in his Hubbard's handwriting confirmed by the Church's lawyers in a Court of Law:
http://www.xenu.net/archive/OTIII-scholar/

Here is another court freed document which concerns the whole of OTIII which came up in court during the Fishman Affidavit, you can check out other OT levels here too; see OTVIII for an interesting comment about Jesus.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/fishman/index2.html

Here is a summary from an ex-member:
http://www.xenu.net/archive/OTIII-scholar/atack-ot3-summary.txt

Scientology is a Destructive Cult:

They lie to members to gain and keep them.

They report for example that there are 8 million adherents worldwide; there are in fact only about 100,000.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/COS_members.html

They say it has been thoroughly researched using the scientific method when it hasn’t. Where are the peer reviewed scientific papers? Where is the extensive research that Hubbard carried out?

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

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

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

Here are some tragic stories within Scientology:
http://www.whyaretheydead.net

Here is a website with many video's of scientologists behaviour, interviews and media coverage:
http://www.xenutv.com

Seen as that was all quite heavy and maybe a little 'overbearing' to quote another user, here is some light humour to do with the subject, including the south park episode.

South Park:
http://www.xenutv.com/cruise/sp-closet.htm
http://www.chefgate.info/

Other:
http://www.zipperfish.com/free/yaafm11.php
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/lampoon/lamp1.htm
http://home.snafu.de/tilman/cos_fun/

Tom Cruise:
http://www.scientomogy.info/
http://www.tomcruiseisnuts.com/
http://65.58.242.81/scientomogy.com.php

Answer 2

My opinion is that it is an excellent and truly workable,
applicable religious philosophy that gets results if you want to improve yourself and the conditions of your life , and become more aware and have more understanding.

But that it only my opinion.

Opinions may or may not be based on any actual facts.

Why are you interested in anyone's "opinion" about this
subject ?

This is not a way to find out about ANYTHING or ANYONE.
This forum is about knowledge, not opinions.
(Suppose to be..... huh! )
But this may not be your purpose. ( Finding out something)
It could just be only my "opinion" about the purpose of your question.

ANYWAY......
Just in case, here is a pretty good factual description of what you now have various opinions about.

Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. This is different from a religious practice. All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosphy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on anyones faiths of beliefs particularly in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the indivdual, which is why you can be a practicing Jew,for example and still use and apply the priniciples of Scientology in your life. It does not conflict. If anything it will enhance your understanding of your chosen religious practice.
You can have no specific religious beliefs and still benefit from using it.
And it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.
It is a non denominational religion . The dictionary definition that applies:
Religion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognises the existence of superhuman power or powers.

The most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.
The whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. And thereby his native abilities .
When you do this the sphere and zone of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.

How this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit. The basic religious philosophy and knowledge of Scientology is very old, going back 10,000 years at least to the Veda or Vedic Hymns from the East. The developement of the technology is new.
He completed his research before his death in 1986 and left all of his results and copyrights
to the Church of Scientology along with most of his considerable estate., when he died.

He published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"
There are currently over 8 million Scientologists in more that 150 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 55 years old.
The true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:
1. A philosopher developes a philosophy about life and death.
2. People find it interesting.
3. People find it works.
4. People pass it along to others.
5. It grows.

Oh well , I get a few points for trying at least.

Answer 3

I watched an old lady die, what would normally be a very painful death, with no pain medication, and no indications from her that she was in pain. About two months of her laying there, with huge tumors growing all over her body. She opened her eyes occasionally and seemed to acknowledge we had entered the room, but never said anything. I don't know, but was told they don't believe in taking medications, and they said she wasn't given any. She seemed to mostly sleep, and just slipped off one day!

Scientology was credited as her religion. If she truly wasn't given medications, I would credit the abilities of human mind.

In short ~ Scientology, like ALL religions, have both constructive and destructive elements of teachings and beliefs.

Answer 4

False Religion

Answer 5

A religion invented by a science fiction author. Probably for fun. I imagine he really got a kick out of how people took it in.

Xan Shui,
Philosophic Philanthropist, Honest Man

Answer 6

cult
if a family member has recently jopined scientology get them out get them out now
brain washers

Answer 7

It's a cult. It was invented by a science fiction writer who had more than one run-in with the law.

Answer 8

Well I am anti-religion but at least they try to better themselves intellectually and there's never anything wrong with that.

Answer 9

It may be the most stupid religion I have ever heard of

Answer 10

Its alot like mormonism and free masonry.

Answer 11

It is a cult. There is no basis in fact to their claims.