Church of Scientology: What can I expect?

Question

Out of curiosity, I completed the online personality test at Scientology.com. Tomorrow Evening I'll be driving over to one of their churches to go over the results.

My instincts are sending me warnings that maybe there is something fishy about this organization. That is, however a complete hunch. Many of my friends are Athiests and they're all prejudicial about any sort of organized religion, even a godless one.

Has anyone ever had a bad experience with the Church of Scientology? I'm easily talked into things and I'd like to keep my guard up.

Sheesh, thanks for your time and help everyone. I hope you can't blame me for wondering- I caught the business end first. The scientology website tells a remarkably good fairy tale.

I'll have to think of a fun and creative way to cancell my appointment with them tomorrow. I'm stunned and amazed that societies like this still exist, and there are actually people that fall for them. I'll be sure to pass the word around.

Sorry scientologists. I'm cancelling my appointment. Cleverly done, but I've seen these tactics before. I've also seen the tragic results in friends of mine. You're not going to touch me with your Bovine Scatology. And if I find any of my aquaintences being misled into your church, I won't be making the same mistake of letting them learn the hard way.

Thanks again, fellas.

Answer 1

Please do keep your guard up. Those online "personality" tests are designed to ALWAYS tell the test taker that they are desperately miserable and in need of the Scientology "technique".
http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/news/475743/detail.html
http://www.holysmoke.org/cos/express.htm

I know plenty about Scientology. I've been researching this cult online for a while now and I'd like you to know a few things before you get involved... and maybe you'll think twice. Do you know who L. Ron Hubbard is? He's the founder and prophet of Scientology. He has been quoted as saying: "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" http://lisatrust.freewinds.cx/scientology/hubbard.htm

The cult is mostly a high powered scam. It pays members 10% commissions, called FSM (Field Staff Member) commissions, on new recruits they bring in who take a course or get counseling, so Scientology members routinely try to "sell" Scientology to others.

The new members then, in turn, donate vast amounts of money to the "church". Here is a run-down of all the costs involved with Scientology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_as_a_business#Costs

Here is testimony from a woman who had been involved in exposing Scientology and other cults for most of her adult life: http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/tsos/sos-19.html

Even more proof that Scientology is out for your money... here is Hubbard discussing turning Scientology into a "religion" for profit:

"I am not quite sure what we would call the place - probably not a clinic - but I am sure that it ought to be a company, independent of the HAS but fed by the HAS. We don't want a clinic. We want one in operation but not in name. Perhaps we could call it a Spiritual Guidance Center. Think up its name, will you. ... It is a problem of practical business. I await your reaction on the religion angle. ..." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_controversy#L._Ron_Hubbard_and_starting_a_religion_for_money

Answer 2

I would disagree that other religions take criticism well. All churches are made up of people. These people have a certain set of beliefs and practices that work for them. Critics can range from the casual non believer to all-out hate monger. Zionists, Muslims and Christians are all known to take very firm and even aggressive stands for their beliefs. I'm not sure where you've seen name calling on the Scientology website can you be more specific?

Answer 3

From what I have read about Scientology, quite frankly it's rather disturbing. If you want more information, check out the link I provided below. I am not here to dispell other's beliefs, but this "cult" bleeds people dry financially, emotionally and spiritually. The most I have ever heard about Scientology was from interviews with Tom Cruise and other actors, so I was compelled to do some research on the subject. Very disturbing to say the least.

Answer 4

The test is rigged so that no matter how you answer it, even if you answer it as an OTVIII should answer it, it will in fact show you as a pre-clear needing multiple auditing sessions.

The device they use during auditing is called an eMeter. It works on the principle of a resistor bridge with one resister unknown, and YOU will become that resistor (skin resistance -- the eMeter is safe, don't worry).

Your auditing session will continue until you can 'float' the needle. At this point you are at your most vulnerable because it means that you have entered a state of relaxation similar to hypnosis in that you can be highly susceptible to suggestion. This is the time to be the most cautious.

Answer 5

Boy, I can tell one thing about your personality,you are absolutely right, you are easily swayed by the "opinions" of others and do not trust your own judgement.
Let's be honest if you solicit for only negativity and disaffection about ANY religion on this forum you will get the same result as you just got about the Church of Scientology.

I'm not interested in talking you into or out of anything, but just
to give you the facts about what Scientology is about, and therefore what you should expect from it here's some information.

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. It is a very practical religion.
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 lifeAnd 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 personal 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 10 million Scientologists in more than 163 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 53 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.

This is just an overview.
L. Ron Hubbard explained fully the theology and technologies of Scientology in more than 500,000 pages of writings, including dozens of books and over 2,000 tape-recorded public lectures.

But you should be able to decide from your own observation and experience whether this is what you get from the Church of Scientology.

If you can't trust yourself to do so, there's is no need to make up excuses for not going in for that appointment, just call them and tell them the truth. They will understand.

Answer 6

Are you out of your mind ?? Did you just land on this planet ?? Stay the h_ell away from those nut jobs. They brainwashed my brother and now that guy is completely shot.
I can't believe you know nothing about those wackos. Do some research and you will see what I mean. And, most importantly, DON'T GO NEAR THEM !!

Answer 7

Scientology is not a religion, but a weird & dangerous cult. Stay away from it if you want to keep both your sanity and life.

Answer 8

They're gonna try to talk you in to it and they're going to give you a hard sell.

They have some pretty clever closes and they really know how to get to you and theyre ruthless about sealing the deal.

Stay away from those people. They're crazy.

Youre going in blind and thats a really, really bad idea. That's a good way to hook a lot of people.

Answer 9

go to www.wikipedia.org and type in "church of scientology" for info and background, then type in "L ron hubbard" for his background, which is not very hahaal or kosher, he is a fraud and conman, so you have been warned.
ps: scientology is based on the occult.(their believe is also a good movie plot)

Answer 10

Make sure you bring a credit card, the deed to your house, and anything else you have worth money.

Oh, and those Thetans of yours, don't forget your Thetans. They need to take those apart so you can not be cluttered in the soul.