Kenny Vermouth
Wankers
If ever there was an organization worth bringing down, this is it. And that Tommy Davis is a cunt.
$cientology programe on at 8:30pm
- Thread starter indigo4
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Idaho
continuity character
I don't subscribe to this view at all.J77 said:
The creation myths and stories in the bible/koran are just that, myths. Representative stories of human creation created collectively by humanity and free for all to read and question.
The scientology story was made up by one man, is kept secret and has a money making corporate machine/cult surrounding it.
I can set up numerous websites giving details of the intricacies of christianity or judaism. I can put up the texts. I can question the structures of their organisations. I can form my own versions of these religions. Try doing that with scientology and you will see the difference.
Yeah -- you can, but if you get a bunch of followers, accepting your interpretation of the text, have you not got a cult.Idaho said:
For me, it's more about having a leader and followers rather than who wrote the original stories.
In fact, we saw last night that they have rejected the original SF thing about these beings from outer space forming hosts inside the bodies.
Dr. Furface
One small step for me
That's true, but the Scientology nonsense about Thetans etc is no more absurd than the Christian belief of god creating the earth in seven days, adam and eve, immaculate conception, Jesus's miracles, transubstantiation etc. Fair point about the Scientology corporate machinery and modus operandi though.Idaho said:
Louloubelle
Well-Known Member
I don't think they're a cult.
I just think that using he word "cult" gives them an excuse to claim they're being victimised
They are a hybrid between a new religious movment (NRM) and a very exploitatitive and ruthless business
IMO
I just think that using he word "cult" gives them an excuse to claim they're being victimised
They are a hybrid between a new religious movment (NRM) and a very exploitatitive and ruthless business
IMO
Mogden
I like tea
Living close to East Grinstead as a youth I did wonder where their pad was but I've always thought their cultish vacuum might suck me in so I've refrained. Still curious mind but I ain't Googling for that address! I can't really see Tom Cruise popping into the Java cafe in East Grinstead some how but always look on my way through, just in case 
Shame about Juliette Lewis though cos she's a babe.
Shame about Juliette Lewis though cos she's a babe.
Jonti
what the dormouse said
What I saw was unconvincing *claims* that the fundamental beliefs of the religion had been altered (how do you do that without changing it into a different "religion" anyway?)J77 said:
It's hardly unknown for cults publicly to deny their secret doctrines in response to unfavourable public exposure.
Jonti
what the dormouse said
Main Entry: cult
Pronunciation: 'k<
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL
1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion
source
Pronunciation: 'k<
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL
1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion
source
Meltingpot
Living in our pools we soon forget about the sea
8ball said:I reckon I could rig up a crude galvanometer for a couple of quid myself, thanks
Yeah you could, add a couple of variable resistors and you've basically got an E-meter.
The official reason for the secrecy is something called "restimulation". Supposedly, discovering this data when you're not prepared for it will reactivate the trauma associated with the incident described and make you very ill. Despite that, they have no qualms about selling a book called "The History of Man" which describes a lot of other such incidents relating to the person's time track.
BTW, "thetan" is just a way of describing the idea that each of us is a spiritual being, there's nothing mysterious about it.
ATOMIC SUPLEX
Member Since: 1985 Post Count: 3
Well that was interesting.
I have been sent on DVD (I assume because I work in the media) the doc they made in retaliation.
I have not watched it yet but I bet it's good.
I have been sent on DVD (I assume because I work in the media) the doc they made in retaliation.
I have not watched it yet but I bet it's good.
Idaho
continuity character
It is entirely unclear what they believe as they will not explain it unless you go on one of their very long and expensive courses. Like trying to find out the cost of a timeshare, or how much it will be for new double glazing. It is imperative that you go through a lengthy sales process, that you have your resistance worn down. Like the EST pyramid sales system.J77 said:
This is the standard cult checklist:
- The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.
- Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
- Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).
- The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth).
- The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).
- The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.
- The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).
- The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members' participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).
- The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt iin order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.
- Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group.
- The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.
- The group is preoccupied with making money.
- Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.
- Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.
- The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group.
Dr Furface said:
All of those myths are out in the open. They can be taken literally, or can be seen as metaphors for the mystical process.
Scientology is much more scientific. It doesn't wave it's myths around to be discussed and abused. It hides them amongst layers of secrecy, indoctrination and control.
Idaho said:
The bible is full of supernatural bullshit and dianetics is full of sci-fi bullshit. Christianity is a bizarre cult and so is Scientology. The christian church has historically been about accumulating wealth and exerting social control and the same can be said about Scientology. The church has persecuted people and so do Scientologists. Countless people have died in the name of Christianity and there have been numerous secret Christian sects. The main difference between Christianity and Scientology is that one is an old cult on the wane and the other is a new cult gaining popularity.
I think in the States if you are a religion you get tax free status. An incentive to set up a cult if ever there was one.
fear-n-loathing
drinking mouthwash
missed it, really wanted to watch it too. i'm sure it'll be on torrents somehwere
Idaho said:
Even when Christianity was just one of many cults they were very free about their message... The actual source materials weren't freely available then mainly due to the cost in copying them...
I was quite impressed by the journalist. I would've given the chief Scientology guy a slap for being an annoying shit.
Idaho
continuity character
Not particularly relevant to this discussion really. The point is that religions have beliefs and faith and practice. The fringe christian groups are nutters and are organised in a manner principally designed to spread the message of their zealotry.Brockway said:
Scientology is not about spreading any message. It's not about any faith. It's about making money. It's a pyramid selling system disguised as a religion. It is ammoral, highly organised and highly dangerous.
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