What do people really think about Scientology? Has anyone here actually visited a Scientology Church?

Question

I only hear about Scientology from the glossy mags.... think Tom Cruise.
Has anyone got any personal experience? And did they rate it?

Answer 1

I rate it very bad, and very destructive.

These people have far more experience than I though, look at their stories. These are ex-members who have spoken out against this cult at their own risk. I suggest Foxtail reads this too so he can see what is to come, although I truly hope he never has to go through what some of these people did.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/personal_story/tory/ OTVII
http://www.clambake.org/archive/personal_story/kathryn.html
http://www.clambake.org/archive/personal_story/cheryl_s/
http://www.lermanet.com/tomgorman/jeffreyquiros.htm
http://www.ecentral.com/members/skeller/
http://www.lermanet.com/michaelpattinson/index.htm An OTVIII, who found scientology not so accepting of him being gay.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/isd/isd.htm
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/xenu/xenu.html
Audio Files http://www.lermanet.com/audio/index.htm
Videos http://www.xenutv.com/interviews/index.html

Here is a message board of personal experiences.
http://ocmb.xenu.net/ocmb/index.php?f=3

Scientology is a destructive cult, it isn't just ex-members and family of them that think so, read what these judges thought as well.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/judge_quotes.html

This is a good book on the rise & workings of scientology:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/apobs/

This is the true story of L Ron Hubbard:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/bfm/bfmconte.htm

British Govt. investigation:
http://www.xenu.net/archive/audit/fosthome.html

Social Control
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/xenu/scs.html

I could post all day about this (just look at my last answer on this, http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjwjlSb8cxUSCBbHBi.lXsUgBgx.?qid=20060901074138AAvEg4b ), so i'll stop but to leave you with the main critical links. These are not glossy mags, and are filled with real evidence of this destructive cult.

http://www.clambake.org
http://www.lermanet.com
http://www.whyaretheydead.net
http://www.xenutv.com
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Secrets/

Here's a good account of scientology I just read...

"What is Scientology?
-- Quick answers by Dave Touretzky: --

1. Self-help courses. Begins with a free personality test that ALWAYS shows you have serious mental problems.
2. Dianetics: a kind of quack psychotherapy in which you revisit all the bad stuff that ever happened to you, from conception onward.
3. Scientology: you discover that you are an immortal being, and you need therapy for all the bad things that happened to you in all your previous lives, too.
4. Advanced Scientology (the Operating Thetan levels): you discover that you are possessed by the spirits of murdered space aliens, and they need therapy too. Bad news: they have no money, so you have to pay.
5. SP level: you decide that Scientology is bullshit, and leave. The cult declares you an enemy and Suppressive Person, and harasses you for the next 10 years. "
http://www.stop-wise.biz/

Answer 2

I drove by one today. I would not enter one of those because they are not a Church and they are not safe. Scientology is a dangerous cult.
Look at this site http://www.xenu.com Think about it this way many religions ask for donations, but do not require one to pay to be in them. One can attend services of the 3 major religions without paying and some will even give free reading materials. They appreciate donations, but do not require them.

Scientology is a cult. It does not allow people to have medical care or take medications. It was created by a science fiction writer of days past.

Some things are too dangerous to dabble with. This is one of them. That is why one should not enter a center for Scientology.

Answer 3

Yes, I was a member and I didn't think it was all that bad (I quit for financial reasons). It is not a cult as some would have you believe because they don't force you to do anything and you can leave anytime you want. Plus it is not really a religion in the usual sense as they do not worship anything or anyone (although sometimes it seems they are worshiping L. Ron Hubbard, but I did not get into that). I suppose it is more like Buddhism in that respect.
Their philosophy is interesting and more workable (to me) than traditional godist religions. One thing they teach (that could be very valuable to college students) is how to study. I still have a set of tapes called the "Study Tapes" and the basic premise behind this course is to make very sure when reading to never go past a word you do not understand (they always stress this when you are in one of their classes studying). There is also and excellent course called the communication course, which was very popular (and inexpensive) when I was going there.
I've recently learned that in higher levels they teach that we came from aliens, but I never got that far so I don't have much to say on that matter.

Answer 4

Well Considering I am a Scientologist!

a) I have found the church to be extremly accepting of my sexuality (I am gay). Despite what people bring up on this topic (Yes, it is written that gays are unacceptable in Dianetics - BUT...L Ron Hubbard wrote Dianetics at a time when it was thought that homosexuality was to be cureable) but in addition...LRH also printed a retraction in the late 60's which seems to have slipped the minds of the people who are detractors of Scientology.

b) Scientology is fantastic, the tech that you learn provides you with lifelong skills that help you to better your understanding of life. My study skills that I use in Uni have improved remarkably and I have Scientology to thank for my grades.
In short...visit a church and have a talk to the staff

Answer 5

Scientology was started by sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard, and evolved from his initial concept of Dianetics. The Scientology religion is based exclusively upon L. Ron Hubbard's research, writings and recorded lectures -- all of which constitute the Scriptures of the religion. These encompass more than 500,000 pages of writings, nearly 3,000 recorded lectures and more than 100 films. He is the only source of the religion, and he has no successor. A fundamental doctrine of the Scientology religion is that spiritual freedom can be attained only if the path outlined in these works is followed without deviation, for it is an intensively researched and workable route.

Scientology denies that salvation comes from God. As their website says: “For instance, although, like the Judeo-Christian religions Scientology affirms the existence of a Supreme Being and places the Supreme Being at the apex of its cosmology, like many Eastern religions, salvation in Scientology is attained through personal spiritual enlightenment.” Also from their website: “Scientology holds man to be basically good, and that his spiritual salvation depends upon himself and his fellows and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.”

Scientology, like many new religions or those of eastern descent, releases people from personal accountability. They deny the existence of heaven and hell, and they deny the concepts of original sin and salvations by grace. In Scientology (which espouses reincarnation), each person must save himself by ridding himself of destructive memories and experiences that he or she has brought into their current life.

Answer 6

I think it's very crazy! I think the 'unarius' is scientology right? Well anyway their main church or whatever is here in El Cajon, CA. They even have bought the land where they say the spaceship is gonna land and all that.

Answer 7

I agree. Check out the "Xenu" link. These are the top secrets you only find out, many thousands of dollars/pounds later. Tom Cruise may not even know what he is working for, ultimately.

Answer 8

Watch the google video

Answer 9

How many ordinary working class people are scientologist's? It's all about money.

Answer 10

Scientologists are going to hell for there blasphemy against Christ.