Scientology: Religion or Cult?

[myron myron]

I go with "cult," big time.

[The Colonel]

Cult, but I'd also say crap.

[myron myron]

Crap yes, but very well-organized, well-financed, arguably dangerous crap.

[Lena]

After learning how the guy who started it wrote science fiction novels whenever someone says SCIENTOLOGY I hear the music from old science fiction movies in my head ...............

A friend was in a cult that worshipped some dead indian chief whose name I can't say or spelll, chief suskawana obe obi ben kenobie or something like that .

After a while her husband got fed up and started calling her new age god 'big chief never existed " and 'big chief bites the red rod "

She later tryed joining scientology but they wudn't let her in since she had a drug bust .

[The Colonel]

Crap yes, but very well-organized, well-financed, arguably dangerous crap.

True. Same of all religions and cults in my opinion.

ben kenobie or something like that

The force cannot be with her! I will make the exception to the Jedi's, they are harmless.

[myron myron]

What distinguishes in practical terms the "Church of Scientology" from any other denomination I know of save for Islam, is that Scientology does not believe in freedom of speech. The "Church of Scientology" expends substantial funds to silence its publically vocal critics and to neutralize or nullify perceived enemies by investigating them privately, finding every speck of dirt in the target's background, and either blackmailing the target into compliance or publicly disclosing the speck of dirt if it is significantly dirty to discredit the critic in the public's eye or to destroy the career or reputation of the perceived enemy. The Scientologists have been effective with these tactics in the United States.

[Lena]

I wonder if you showed up dresed like a astronaut they'd let you in ?

There's another group called THE WAY that seems dangerous : guns , spys , paranoia...........................

[jinjin]

I do not think it qualifies as a mainstream religion.

[one_irish_rover]

What is the relevant distinction? All religions start as cults.

[cosmicB]

Religion = Cult... It's all one and the same...

The appropriate question is, "is it a hard cult, or a soft cult"..?

[myron myron]

What is the relevant distinction? All religions start as cults.

Fair point.

[myron myron]

Religion = Cult... It's all one and the same...

The appropriate question is, "is it a hard cult, or a soft cult"..?

Point well-taken, semantically speaking.

[Hop_A_Long_Girl]

Cult, they do seem to have a lot of people taking part in their' stress tests' in theire little shop in Tottenham Court Road in London. Got a card from one of the staff inviting me to a free screening of scientology film, wish i had went to check it out!

[Danko]

I did a dissertation on charity law relating to Scientology's application to become a religious charity. It is a bit sinister and their tactics are similar to any cult. Although, it is a recognised religion in Aussie land.

[monosodium]

Does anyone know what is involved in their "stress tests", I'd love to find a way to tweak my score to a point where they think I'm L Ron Hubbard himself.