Germany views Scientology as a dangerous cult. Your opinion?

Question

I have to agree.

While individual Scientologists can be, for the most part, good people, the organization itself is both powerful, dangerous, and vengeful. There is much we already know about what the cult has done to people, the lies it has spread, the lives they have ruined, and what they charge their members for treatments that do nothing.

Some people compare this to the Catholic church, but today's modern Catholic church won't force you to pay tens of thousands of dollars for anything, nor will they threaten you for not attending the church or participating. It really is comparing apples and oranges.

What is your opinion on Scientology? Dangerous cult, or harmless nonsense? Or perhaps you think it helps people.

I think that it has made Tom Cruise worse, not better.

Answer 1

DANGEROUS CULT, no doubt.

There are several people who have suffered tragic experiences during their involvement with Scientology. Read about them here:
http://www.lermanet.com/persecution/
http://www.whyaretheydead.net/krasel/
http://xenu.net/archive/personal_story/cheryl_s

Here are more "bad experiences" with the cult including an illegal plot to infiltrate the government, brainwashing techniques, mind control camps, attacks on critics, and DEATHS caused by Scientology doctrine and members:

● Operation Snow White – Under this official program, Scientology operatives committed infiltration, wiretapping, & theft of documents in government offices. This program constituted the single largest infiltration of the United States government in history. Among the 11 prominent Scientologists convicted of this conspiracy was Mary Sue Hubbard, the wife of Scientology’s “prophet”.
http://lisatrust.freewinds.cx/scientology/snow-white/index.html
http://en.allexperts.com/e/o/op/operation_snow_white.htm

● Operation Freakout - Their campaign of sabotage & violence against Paulette Cooper, the writer who published her research & findings on several cults, including Scientology. Scientology’s official plan: to frame Paulette, ruin her career & reputation & get her either incarcerated or locked up in psychiatric confinement.
The official plan: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Krasel/cooper/frk1.html
Her book: http://holysmoke.org/cos/books/scandal-of-scientology-cooper.pdf

● Fair Game - the Scientology policy detailing how the organization may confront & handle critics & perceived enemies. Here is a direct quote: "Enemies may be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed.”
http://www.xenu.net/archive/disk/fairgame.htm
http://www.planetkc.com/sloth/sci/Fair_game_ord.html

● Physical & psychological punishment: Scientologists who "break the rules" while members of the "Sea Org" must subject themselves to the Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF), which includes regimes of harsh physical punishment, forced self-confessions, social isolation, hard labor and intensive ideological indoctrination.
http://www.xenu-directory.net/practices/rpf.html
http://www.lermanet2.com/scientology/gulags/BrainwashinginScientology'sRehabilitationProjectForce.htm
http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/cos/rpf/escape_2.htm

● Brainwashing & mind control: Scientology exerts control over its members by means of typical cult tactics, including but not limited to controlling information about internal doctrine & criticism of the organization, severely restricting social contact outside the cult (including the practice of “disconnecting” with any family who question the credibility & trustworthiness of the cult), creating an “us against them” mentality by villainizing a specific out-group (for Scientology, it’s psychiatrists), & claiming all those outside the cult are unenlightened.
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/06/24/Tampabay/The_unperson.shtml
http://www.factnet.org/Books/SocialControl/scs.html#toc http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/s/scientology/pignotti/
http://www.cultinformation.org.uk/faq.html#cult

● Violent Kidnapping - Lisa McPherson was a Scientologist, was involved in a car accident & resultantly became mentally unstable. She was kidnapped from the hospital by agents of Scientology, held against her will, refused proper psychiatric treatment & allowed to STARVE TO DEATH.
Video: http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/
News Coverage: http://www.factnet.org/Scientology/Lisa_McPherson_Scientology_Deaths.html
Website: http://www.lisamcpherson.org/

● Tragic Murder - A CBS “48 Hours” special on Jeremy Perkins, the mentally disturbed son of Scientologist parents who, because of the Scientology doctrine of opposing psychiatry, refused to put him on the anti-psychotic drugs that would have stabilized him & prevented him from killing his own mother.
Video: http://www.scientomogy.com/jeremy_perkins.php
CBS article: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/25/48hours/main2124568.shtml
Website: http://perkinstragedy.org

Answer 2

Scientology is a FALSE religion based on the writings of a science "FICTION" author.

They are dangerous.

Almost 15 years ago, I lived in San Francisco. At the time, I was in the Navy stationed on the other side of the bay. Anyway, one evening I went bar hopping with some friends and after a few drinks, they decided to hit the strip clubs, and I decided to go back home.

On my way back to the bart (subway system there), a man, standing on a corner, approached me, grabbed my hand, and put this flyer in my hand, and told me that if I wanted to be happy for the rest of my life, I would goto the address on the flyer (which happened to be right across the street from where he was standing), and talk to so and so (don't remember her name). Me, being the stupid inebriated kid I was, said ok, no problem. I went there, and this woman spoke to me about how Scientology was the best thing since sliced bread. She didn't say those exact words, but you get my point. She went on and on for over an hour, and wouldn't let me leave until I agreed with her. She also would not let me leave until she gave me a book, which I had to promise to read. She wanted my phone number so she could call me and check my progress on the book...the very next day.

I gave her a fake number. She finally let me leave and I threw the book away about four blocks away (because I wasn't sure if someone was following me or not). I never went into that neighborhood again after that incident.

I was raised as a Christian, and didn't really practice Christianity until after that incident. I knew there was something wrong, deep down, after I went into that building. Now I know why.

That's my story about Scientology...enjoy.

Answer 3

Everything that I have ever read and the CoS members with whom I've dealt all lead me to the conclusion that it IS a cult with dangerous intentions.

I worked for a company run by members and let me say that the experience was odd. They had the pro-CoS posters up espousing the virtues of various LRH philosophies along with copies of dianetics for sale to customers. When I enter a business run by Catholics I've never seen crucifixes or Bibles for sale.

I became curious about the CoS during my tenure going so far as taking a stress test and checking out the critic sites online. In the end I concluded that the individual members are impressionable and easily duped out of their money.

I've even seen an e-meter taken apart. As an electronics engineer I can tell anyone honestly that it is nothing but a cheap (sic) volt/ohm meter and NOTHING more.

Personally I am 100% for freedom of religion and freedom of stupidity. If you want to give them all your money and sign a billion-year contract then that's YOUR business.

Answer 4

There are two definitions of "cult"

In the broad definition, a cult is just a religion that is small and relatively new compared to the older, larger and more established religions. Scientology easily fits under this definition.

In the narrow definition, a cult is a group which is highly oppressive and controlling. "Brainwashing", demanding you cut off ties with family and friends, using up your life savings etc; Scientology also easily fits under this definition.

It is a cult through and through. Check out Operation Clambake at www.xenu.net to see just how cultish Scientology is.

Answer 5

I think everyone but it's members view it as a cult.

To be honest I think it's a sham and it's members are either in on it or not. It's founder even stated years before founding it that if anyone wanted to make $1m they should start a religion.

Answer 6

I read some of L. Ron Hubbard's stuff back in the 80's. It was crazy, and I dismissed it as such. I believe in live and let live, so if it floats the boat for some people they are welcome to it. I would not want anyone in my family to be taken in by them, however. And they don't seem to be trying to take over the world or anything. I guess it's better to have a peaceful philosophy to live by than none at all.

Answer 7

Definitely a cult - although I do agree that probably most scientologists are good people - they have just been brainwashed. And does anyone please know how I can get them to STOP sending magazines to my house (to people who moved out 10 years ago!!!!!!!!!)

Answer 8

Silly cult that acts like a corporation. Tax them to hell and back, they can afford it.

Answer 9

Well it seems that you already made your mind. But if you want to see the US state deparment position of this look here.
http://www.cnn.com/US/9701/30/scientologists/index.html
And if you want to see Scientology's position look here:
http://www.scientology.org/en_US/news-media/faq/pg043.html

Wan't Germany responsible for the holocoust? It think it is disturbing that they are back in the path of religious intolerance.

Answer 10

all religions can be dangerous cults