Scientology: Your Opinion?

[Gilpesh]

It's stupid to compare scientology to any other major religion (christianity, judiasm, islam)

Why? Because the major religions have gotten into power and demand that you take them seriously? Or have they gotten over the number of members necessary to no longer be a cult?

 

[Cunning Stunts]

Long story short: Worship who you want, with whom you want, whenever you want.

Push it on other people? Receive an ass-beating using whatever Bible your religion reads from.

 

[moraldeficiency]

Why? Because the major religions have gotten into power and demand that you take them seriously? Or have they gotten over the number of members necessary to no longer be a cult?

You missunderstand, you can leave other major religions if you want to. No armed guard stops you at the door then takes you to a room where you're trapped, starved and brainwashed. There's a subtle difference there I don't think you're seeing. You can go to church, decide this is **** and just leave without any problems. It's like you didn't read the post at all except for one sentence cause I explained this difference very clearly in that, or were you just trying to be inflamatory for it's own sake?

 

[dark_b]

new BBC documentary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr2BijIprqg

i didnt even know that they can do that. i can not belive that **********************************************************
************************************************* did that




comment removed by the church of scientology

 

[The Question]

I have no issue with people following the tenants and believing the theology/philosophy of Scientology. That's their prerogative and I make no judgement on it. But the Church of Scientology, as an organization, is sketchy as all hell.

 

[Sundancer]

But most people are raised by their parents as Christian/Catholic/Etc.... they don't choose.

I would add that it's also reinforced by the community. Parents then community. It's easier to believe your parents if your environment matches what they say.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

Also, to anyone saying it doesn't cost anything for other religions. The initial cost is nil sure, but to receive the "Sacraments" in the Catholic Church does cost. Planning a wedding right now and one church had a "recommended minimum donation" of $1,000 to have the wedding there. Plus we've spent at least $500 on pre-marriage "courses", where we were advised that we should be donating about 10% of our income to the church. We were actually told it was against the 10 Commandments to not donate to the church.

 

[Tanin]

I don't remember the church tithe being anywhere in the ten commandments! I even grabbed my bible to recheck the wording. What a jerk to tell you that!

 

[Spider-Who?]

Also, to anyone saying it doesn't cost anything for other religions. The initial cost is nil sure, but to receive the "Sacraments" in the Catholic Church does cost. Planning a wedding right now and one church had a "recommended minimum donation" of $1,000 to have the wedding there. Plus we've spent at least $500 on pre-marriage "courses", where we were advised that we should be donating about 10% of our income to the church. We were actually told it was against the 10 Commandments to not donate to the church.

There's a big difference though. The CoS requiring constant and increasingly high charges in order to not only be a member, but to be further "educated" in the religion is far different than a church asking for donations and payment for services rendered (ie: marriage counseling and hosting a wedding).

As far as the tithing thing, I think what the person was trying to say is that the purpose of tithing (in the Bible) is a show of faith in God's ability to take care of you (outside of the Bible, churches DO need to pay bills and employee's incomes). It's an act that shows that your trust and concern isn't in the material; which could be considered breaking the 2nd Commandment. So while there isn't a commandment that says "Though must tithe", there is a connection.

 

[sandmjuggalos]

Two Words: Hail Xenu!