What do you think of Scientology?

Answer 1

Hmm...well they believe (amongst other things) that tiny, invisible aliens live on and inside of us, so I'd have to say that their religion makes about as much sense as most do.

Answer 2

Well, I think people have the freedom and U.S.-given right to believe whatever they want to.

Personally, I think it's a little too far-fetched for me. It was founded by a science fiction writer after all. And I absolutely DO NOT agree with their stance on psychiatric drug treatments. However, if a group of people wanted to stand around a worship a pile of dog doo, they have the right to do it.

I think I'll stick to just living life without any beliefs.

Answer 3

A religion whose base tenet is "Sue Thy Neighbor!" Thought up by a bad science fiction author instead of interpretive teachings. It's just as believable as having an invisible man in the sky, and seems to make only SLIGHTLY less money than Christianity.

Answer 4

Since I have a friend who is a scientologist, I can understand the better prinicples that they have. But what I have noticed is that
my friend tends to be have more methodical thinking, verses an emotional way about him that I have always adored. Now everthing is logic and can be explained. Where as I feel there is no logic in god, and therfore can never be explained. But each to their own I suppose. But sometimes I feel like he is becoming like a machine that's only purpose is to get from point a to point b with few distractions...

Answer 5

Quite frankly it scares me. They're completely opposed to psychiatric treatment of mental disorders, and people have actually died as a result:

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/JeremyPerkins/

And the idea that women need to be silent during childbirth without the aid of drugs because it scars the baby, i.e. all psychological problems are a result of our noisy mothers? Clearly decided on by a chauvinist who never experienced childbirth.

Answer 6

It is a CULT. Despite what a few fanatical members may say, it IS a cult. The church harrasses and bullies anyone who they deem an "enemy" (basically anyone who has anything negative to say about the "church"). They will RUIN YOUR LIFE if you speak out against them long enough.

The founder is L. Ron Hubbard, the science FICTION writer who once told a friend that the best way to make lots of money is to start your own religion. Though being a very outspoken critic of psychiatric drugs, it was discovered upon Hubbards death that the anti-anxiety drug hydroxyzine (Vistaril) was present in his body, which several of his assistants would later attest was only one of many psychiatric and pain medications Hubbard ingested over the years.

Scientologists believe the evil alien ruler Xenu killed a lot of aliens (Thetans) from around the universe by bringing them to earth and blowing them up inside volcanoes. They believe the souls of these aliens (these souls are "Body Thetans") have attached themselves to us and cause many of our mental and physical ills. Even members of the Church of Scientology who know of Xenu will publicly deny the existence of Xenu and Body Thetans, or attempt to minimize their importance. Scientology has many graduated levels through which one can progress. Many who remain at lower levels in the church are unaware of much of the these doctrines, which mostly begin at Operating Thetan level three, or "OT III". Because the information imparted to members is to be kept secret from others who have not attained that level, the member must publicly deny its existence when asked. OT III recipients must sign a waiver promising never to reveal its secrets before they are given the manila envelope containing the Xenu knowledge.

To rid ourselves of "Body Thetans" and also “engrams” (past negative experiences stored in our unconscious mind) so that we can become “clear”, we have to go through "auditing" with a member of the “church” who uses an "e-meter" to measure our “reactive mind”...... and we have to pay lots and lots and lots of money for “auditing” (purchased in 12.5-hour blocks, costing anywhere from $750 for introductory sessions to between $8,000 and $9,000 for advanced sessions) and to take courses on Scientology to advance to higher “levels” in the “church”. The “church” has also taken a very hostile stance towards psychiatry and psychiatric drugs irrespective of the fact that some people require medication to remain adequately functional in everyday life. They deny the reality of chemical imbalance and profound mental disturbance and accordingly do NOTHING to effectively stabilize the dangerously unstable. The “church” has been known to withhold prescription pharmaceuticals from member (with deadly results).

Scientology is undeniably a cult. For more information on what a cult is and what their damaging effects are, please visit the link provided at the bottom of the sources. Just know that Scientology DOES qualify by meeting these 5 criteria:

(1) It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members. (2) It forms an elitist totalitarian society. (3) Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma. (4) It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds & recruit people. (5) Its wealth does not benefit its members or society.

Answer 7

In acordance with the LINYIM sutra; scientology is a finder who find something had already been there and say this is my invent.

Answer 8

Trendy and too un-original. I mean, it came from a book by L. Ron Hubbard in the what, 80's? Where are the actual pagans in hollywood anyway?

Answer 9

I think it's only a little bit crazier than all the other religions, and that it deserves to be treated with the same amount of respect as the other ones.

Answer 10

They need to lighting up and get a ~spiritual~ feel of things.

They need to climb off their high horse, and get closer to the ground, be open and let their ~spirit~fly~

Peace!