Why is scientology more looked down upon than christianity?

Question

Is it tradition?

does a religion have to be at least a few hundred years old before people forget that they were probably wrong?

Answer 1

Millions have been killed in the name of Christianity.

The books of Christianity (not counting those written by disciples to which not all branches agree here, just the main ones) have no traceable origins to the time of Christ. The earliest by scientific evidence was written some 70 years AD, or after all the participants were long dead.

With major changes at the times of the Council of Nicea (325AD) and during Justinian's reign at the Second Synod of Constantinople (553AD) - during which it was agreed to destroy all scholarly research including comparative translations in a score of languages and mention of the fact that during Jesus' time the idea of past lives was COMMONPLACE and ACCEPTABLE as a philosophy - the subject of Christianity became a tool for political control.

This is regardless of whether there ever was a Jesus Christ (unproven); whether he ever did any of the things stated by his disciples (hearsay); whether he died or, as some believe, married and bore progeny; and whether in fact he was stark raving mad as anyone who claimed to be the son of God surely would be pronounced by any psychiatrist on the planet right now.

But as you can see, it took hundreds of years for Christianity to take hold, crush all former beliefs, create for itself a mythical realm in which all will be saved if only they toe the line (where did THAT come from? your mother?), take over all pagan holidays and rename them on behalf of the Holy Roman Empire (err, sorry, I meant the Catholic Church) and stamp out all opposition viewpoints entirely.

What most people BELIEVE is Christianity is in fact a collection of man-made opinions BASED ON what someone thought should be included in Christianity.

In Scientology, we at least have a set of materials which were written or spoken by the founder of that religion, which contain his own words and ideas (for better or worse) and the only errors can be in their interpretation. The most frightening thing imaginable for someone who knows how it all went wrong for Christianity is to see that same "based on the works of" now appearing on Hubbard's original materials. Because that means we're getting some "homogenised, popularized, whitewashed, government approved" version.

So, study Scientology for yourself, while you can still get the original books. Learn it well, apply it, see if it works. If not, junk it and move on. IT'S THAT SIMPLE. REALLY.

And if you do decide to become or remain a Christian, at least find out what it is you're supposed to be believing by studying it, and its history, warts and all. Then if you find it worthy of support, be a Christian. But in the long run, wondering about which is the more popular or bashing someone else's beliefs or spreading rumours is PART OF THE PROBLEM RELIGION ITSELF IS SUPPOSED TO SOLVE. And furthermore, those who would continue such aims as friction between fellow men have HIDDEN AND EVIL PURPOSES BEING DRAMATIZED RIGHT NOW.

And that realization alone might just make a citizen out of you all.

Side note: All the above can be researched in the Catholic Encyclopaedia and other church-accepted texts, I didn't just make this sh*te up for your amusement. Claiming "oh, but I'm not a Catholic, so it doesn't apply to me" is a COP-OUT, A LIE AND A NEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITY.

Disclaimer: I spent the latter part of one lifetime under house arrest by the Inquisition for heresy, so I might be a little biased here. My beliefs at that time are now part of the foundations of modern science.

Answer 2

Not sure what you based your original conclusion on
before you asked this question but 'more looked down on"
by whom??

The fact or quantity of religious intolerance against one religion compared to another at any one time doesn't have any real significance beyond the fact that religious intolerance still exists.

You could have asked the Germans the same question about the Jewish religion versus the Christian from 1930 to 1945. Why murder Jews and not Christians?
Interesting that that country is still practicing the same brand of religious intolerance in 2007. (the only difference is it's directed at a different religion, Scientology, this time)

Religious intolerance is hardly a tradition but it's definitely something that still exists and has not changed throughout
known history.

Let's hope that in the future we can learn to understand and trust and tolerate eachother a lot better. Maybe then there will be peace on Earth.

You know... Peace on Earth..... Good will to all Men......
wasn't that the Christian message??
Isn't that the basis of all religious philosophy?

Answer 3

The power of the Internet I guess. Most of the people commenting here have probably never met one or been to one of their buildings. Even the ones making long posts with tons of links to wierd sites on the net.

I dont think its any more controversial than any other religion. You can find the same things in the same quantities about others. People just tend to focus on certain things. Some people click on anything Scientology, and others click on anything Catholic.

People who have actually tried multiple religions, or tried to read up equally on multiple religions, tend to have better pro-and-con descriptions. Personally Ive done a couple of years in Scientology, and in Born Again Baptists. The Baptists charged more (10% of earnings), were more invasive, forced their beliefs more, and were harder to leave when I decided to quit.

Answer 4

I'm not a religious person, but I've always tried to have great respect for people's personal beliefs regarding religion and/or a personal God.

However, I've always considered Scientology to be a business that uses the term religion, to avoid paying taxes.

I also feel that the information Scientology teaches people, is junk science that is based on the ramblings of a madman and not a religious doctrine.

Answer 5

From the outside, people have difficulty understanding anything that Ron Hubbard did - he had a somewhat eccentric lifestyle and there is much debate about his biographical history. So when he produced a religion that focused on some incredible new ideas about how to improve how we use our brains it was difficult to accept. Any new religion with secret rites, rituals, or beliefs gets a big crowd of skeptics because people are very guarded and protective of their own beliefs and are easily threatened by something new that comes along. Some can't understand a religion that isn't focused on "miracles" - they want to see somebody walk on water or that ain't religion. People also have difficulty with accepting a belief that offers varying degrees of secret teachings for large sums of money - this hasn't been done much in the past, but L. Ron Hubbard had a net worth of about $200,000,000 at his death (Wickipedia - source).

Answer 6

The press has created a stigma against Scientology because interest groups are threatened because of the popularity and workability of Scientology. That's all. Media manipulation.

Answer 7

In a word, yes. I think you've answered your own question.

People know a lot about L. Ron Hubbard, lots of information is available and he doesn't strike a lot of people as the type of guy you should follow.

Prophets likes like Muhammed, Jesus, Moses, etc. are not so burdened. Although there is a lot of fact-checking about them too. Centuries of faith supercedes any scientific findings for or against the religion.

Scientologist are descriminated against on the basis of their faith. But as far as jokes go all religions get picked on, and they should see that they'll be no different.

I personally have no respect for that doctrine of faith, but I respect peoples rights to believe what they choose or where their hearts lead them. So they'll get no problems from me no matter how bat-**** crazy I think they are.

Answer 8

Scientology gets a bad name because the guy who started it was a science fiction writer and also was quoted saying before he started the church something like, if you want to make a lot of money, start a religion.

Answer 9

Scientology is just stupid science fiction written by a science fiction Author. Christianity is based upon the life of Jesus Christ and is the truth.

Answer 10

Scientology is a cult started by Sci-Fi writer L. Ron Hubbard, who at one time was a follower of Aleister Crowley. They use a system called "auditing" on their members, which is really just hypnosis.